Nevada § 78.075 - Railroad companies: Powers

Full text of Nevada Nevada Revised Statutes § 78.075 — Railroad companies: Powers, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 78.075. Railroad companies: Powers

In furtherance of and in addition to the powers which railroad companies organized

under this chapter are entitled to exercise, but not in limitation of any of the powers

granted by this chapter, every railroad company may: 1. Cause such examination and surveys for the proposed railroad to be made as may

be necessary to the selection of the most advantageous route for the railroad, and

for such purposes, by their officers, agents and employees, to enter upon the lands

or waters of any persons, but subject to responsibility for all damages which they

do thereto. 2. Receive, hold, take and convey, by deed or otherwise, as a natural person might

or could do, such voluntary grants and donations of real estate, and other property

of every description, as may be made to it to aid and encourage the construction,

maintenance and accommodation of the railroad. 3. Purchase, and by voluntary grants and donations receive and take, and by its officers,

engineers, surveyors and agents, enter upon and take possession of, and hold and use,

in any manner they may deem proper, all such lands and real estate, and other property

as the directors may deem necessary and proper for the construction and maintenance

of the railroad, and for the stations, depots and other accommodations and purposes,

deemed necessary to accomplish the object for which the corporation is formed. 4. Lay out its road or roads, not exceeding 200 feet wide, and construct and maintain

the road with such tracks and with such appendages as may be deemed necessary for

the convenient use of it. The company may make embankments, excavations, ditches, drains, culverts or otherwise,

and procure timber, stone and gravel, or other materials, and may take as much more

land, whenever they may think proper, as may be necessary for the purposes aforesaid,

in the manner hereinafter provided, for the proper construction and security of the

road. 5. Construct their road across, along or upon any stream of water, watercourse, roadstead,

bay, navigable stream, street, avenue or highway, or across any railway, canal, ditch

or flume which the route of its road intersects, crosses or runs along, in such manner

as to afford security for life and property. The corporation shall restore the stream or watercourse, road, street, avenue, highway,

railroad, canal, ditch or flume thus intersected to its former state, as near as may

be, or in a sufficient manner not to have impaired unnecessarily its usefulness or

injured its franchises. 6. Cross, intersect, join and unite its railroad with any other railroad, either before

or after constructed, at any point upon its route, and upon the grounds of such other

railroad company, with the necessary turnouts, sidings and switches, and other conveniences,

in furtherance of the objects of its connections; and every company whose railroad

is, or will be hereafter, intersected by any new railroad in forming such intersections

and connection, and grant the facilities aforesaid. If the two corporations cannot agree upon the amount of compensation to be made therefor,

or the points or the manner of such crossings, intersections and connections, the

same must be ascertained and determined by commissioners, to be appointed as is provided

hereinafter in respect to the taking of lands, but this section is not to affect the

rights and franchises heretofore granted. 7. Purchase lands, timber, stone, gravel or other materials to be used in the construction

and maintenance of its road, or take them in the manner provided by this chapter.

The railroad company may change the line of its road, in whole or in part, whenever

a majority of the directors determine, as is provided hereinafter, but no such change

may vary the general route of a road, as contemplated in the articles of incorporation

of the company. 8. Receive by purchase, donation or otherwise, any lands, or other property, of any

description, and hold and convey it in any manner the directors may think proper,

the same as natural persons might or could do, that may be necessary for the construction

and maintenance of its road, or for the erection of depots, turnouts, workshops, warehouses

or for any other purposes necessary for the convenience of railroad companies, in

order to transact the business usual for railroad companies. 9. Take, transport, carry and convey persons and property on their railroad, by the

force and power of steam, of animals, or any mechanical power, or by any combinations

of them, and receive tolls or compensation therefor. 10. Erect and maintain all necessary and convenient buildings, stations, depots and

fixtures and machinery for the accommodation and use of their passengers, freight

and business, obtain and hold the lands and other property necessary therefor, and

acquire additional lands and rights-of-way and build and operate extensions or branches

of its line of railroad. 11. Regulate the time and manner in which passengers and property are transported,

and the tolls and compensation to be paid therefor, within the limits prescribed by

law. 12. Regulate the force and speed of their locomotives, cars, trains or other machinery

used and employed on their road, and establish, execute and enforce all needful and

proper rules and regulations fully and completely for the management of its business

transactions usual and proper for railroad companies. 13. Purchase, hold, sell and transfer shares of its own stock, bonds, debentures,

or other securities issued by it, except that: (a) No corporation may use its funds or property for the purchase of its own shares

of stock when such use would cause any impairment of the capital of the corporation;

and (b) Shares of its own stock belonging to the corporation must not be voted upon, directly

or indirectly, nor counted as outstanding for the purpose of any stockholders' quorum

or vote. 14. Acquire, own, and operate motor vehicles, and air transportation facilities, and

transport persons and property along and over the streets and highways of this State,

for the transportation, for hire, of passengers, property and freight, either directly

or through a subsidiary company or companies, subject to all relevant provisions of

law concerning permits, licenses, franchises and the regulation of such form of transportation

by motor vehicles or other agencies. Whenever the track of a railroad crosses a railroad or highway, such railroad or highway

may be carried under, over or on a level with the track, as may be most expedient,

and in cases where an embankment or cutting makes a change in the line of such railroad

or highway desirable, with a view to a more easy ascent or descent, the company may

take such additional lands and materials, if needed for the construction of such road

or highway, on such new line, as may be deemed requisite by the railroad. Unless the lands and materials so taken are purchased, or voluntarily given for the

purpose aforesaid, compensation therefor must be ascertained in the manner provided

by law.

Source: official Nevada text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Nevada § 78.075

What does Nevada Revised Statutes § 78.075 cover?

Section 78.075 ("Railroad companies: Powers") is part of the Nevada Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Nevada. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Nevada § 78.075?

A common citation format is "Nevada Revised Statutes § 78.075" (Nevada). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Nevada law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Nevada official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Nevada attorney.

How does Nevada § 78.075 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Nevada can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Nevada.