The Napier to Gisborne rail line could be resuscitated.

It was mothballed at the end of 2012, after storms caused severe damage.

But now Hawke's Bay Regional Council is weighing up whether to take on a conditional lease from Kiwirail.

Interim council CEO Liz Lambert says the line needs $4 million of repairs, but that could be worth it considering how much produce they ship out.

"It's not really looking just as a short term investment. It's very much looking at this as an alternative to road transport or the carriage of freight."

The council is also neck-deep in plans for the Ruataniwha Dam, but interim Lambert says they could conceivably take on both.

"The Regional Council will sub-lease the operation of the line to another company, so we would have a one off, if you like, investment in the opening of the line."