Montgomery County, which this week lost a lawsuit designed to block a proposed rail yard in Elliston, has paid its lawyers $175,293 to handle the case so far, county spokeswoman Ruth Richey said Wednesday.

A Richmond judge ruled recently in favor of Norfolk Southern Corp., which proposes to build the intermodal yard, and the state, which intends to help pay for it. The judge turned back the county's challenge on all grounds.

There was no word available on whether the county might appeal. Richey said the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors could take up the question Dec. 14.

The yard would be an open-air facility for transferring freight containers between trucks and trains.

Located on a major rail line linking the Port of Virginia and Midwest markets, the facility is expected to cover 65 acres and cost about $50 million with related road work.

-- Jeff Sturgeon