While the Lebanon City Council agreed in principle to fix the five miles of rail road track it owns at a meeting Tuesday, Jan. 6, several obstacles must still be overcome if the repairs are to become a reality.

Two key factors continue to delay a final decision. First, several members of city council — including Mayor Amy Brewer — insist on Lebanon Mason and Monroe Railroad, the only users of the track, making a financial commitment to stay in Lebanon for several years. Second, LM&M has balked at the nine months city officials estimate it will take to fix the track.

"I want the city staff and (the Lebanon Mason and Monroe Railroad) to come up with options and bring those options back to us," Brewer said. "I want to make a decision, but as government works, it's going to take time."

City council was informed in October that the five miles of tracks it owns on the southern end of town requires $350,000 in immediate repairs, primarily to two bridges which are deteriorating, and maintenance to the track was being underfunded by $200,000 annually. LM&M say they average 50,000 riders every year. Operators want to be back open for Easter, although where they will run if the Lebanon track is still under repair remains in question.

LM&M CEO Brian Collins said the train needed to start running again around Easter. Collins said if the train were to move, it would be for several years if not longer. He was also negative on a previously approached idea of running the train between Lebanon and Mason.

"I think absolutely we can find the money to fix the track," said council member Jeff Monroe. "I have a real problem with finding the money without any conditions."