Aberdeenshire councillors have pledged more than £1million to the new Kintore railway station project.
The policy and resources committee agreed to invest in the station, which is part of an upgrade of the railway links between Aberdeen and Inverness.
The money will boost funding which is being sought from the Scottish Stations Fund.
The new amenity will cost an estimated £11million, 30% of which will be covered by the local authority and north-east transport partnership Nestrans.
Committee chair Cllr Martin Kitts-Hayes said: “It is hard to overstate the importance of this new station for the communities of Kintore, Kemnay and parts of Inverurie.
“This investment shows a real commitment by Aberdeenshire Council to getting this important infrastructure development off the ground.”
Councillor Fergus Hood added: “If that £7million is not forthcoming from the station fund, we’ll have to take another report to council. I’m determined the timetable for this station will not stop.”
If money is secured from the Scottish Stations Fund, the new station could be operational by December 2018.
Council agrees £1million backing for new Kintore railway station