reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4951 | Street Railways and Interurban Railroads › Section 4951.47 | Injury to Domestic Animal Prima-Facie Evidence.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
If any domestic animal receives any injury or is killed upon the right of way of an electric or street railway or interurban railroad, either by coming in contact with a moving car, or by reason of the electricity contained in or passing through a third rail of such railroad or railway, such injury or death is prima-facie evidence that the person or company operating said railroad or railway has failed to comply with the requirements of sections 4951.45 to 4951.47, inclusive, of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4951 | Street Railways and Interurban Railroads › Section 4951.48 | Watchmen.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
When street railways are operated by electricity, cable, compressed air, or other motive power in a municipal corporation, the legislative authority of such municipal corporation, by ordinance, may require the owners or operators of such railways to place watchmen at street crossings, intersections, or corners which such legislative authority deems dangerous. The legislative authority may provide for the enforcement of such ordinances by penalties in the way of fine or imprisonment, or both, to be imposed upon the owner, officer, or operator of such railways, or by a forfeiture of not exceeding one hundred dollars per day, which may be recovered by such municipal corporation in a civil suit against the owners or operators of any such railway failing to place such watchmen as are required.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4951 | Street Railways and Interurban Railroads › Section 4951.49 | Repairs at Crossings - Stopping of Cars at Crossings.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
When the tracks of two street railways cross each other or in any way connect at a common grade, the crossings shall be made and kept in repair at the joint expense of the companies owning the tracks. All cars used on such railways must come to a full stop, not nearer than ten feet nor further than fifty feet from the crossing, and not cross until the way is clear. When two or more cars approach the crossing at the same time the cars on the railway first built shall have precedence.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4951 | Street Railways and Interurban Railroads › Section 4951.50 | Full Stop When Approaching Railroad Crossing.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
When the tracks of a street railway cross the tracks of a railroad at grade, the company operating the line of streetcars shall cause its cars to stop not nearer than ten nor farther than fifty feet from the crossing, and before they start to cross the railroad tracks. Such company shall cause a person in its employ to go ahead of the cars and see that the way is clear for the passage of such cars and free from danger. Such street railway cars shall not proceed to cross until signaled to do so by such person so employed, or the way is clear for their passage over the tracks. When the tracks of a street railway or interurban railroad cross the tracks of an industrial railroad or a switch track or a spur track of a railroad over which passenger cars or trains are not operated, the public utilities commission may, upon application of the company owning or operating such street railway or interurban railroad, and upon notice to the company owning or operating such industrial railroad, switch track, or spur track of the hearing of such application, permit such street railway or interurban railroad to operate its cars over and across such industrial railroad, switch track, or spur track without first causing its cars to stop or an employee to go ahead of them, and may prescribe such duties upon the company owning or operating such industrial railroad, switch track, or spur track for the protection of the public as is just and reasonable under the circumstances.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4951 | Street Railways and Interurban Railroads › Section 4951.51 | Failure to Stop - Forfeiture.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
Every person in charge of a streetcar who willfully fails to comply with sections 4951.49 and 4951.50 of the Revised Code or to bring the car he has in charge to a stop, or before the way is clear, or he is signaled so to do, causes them to cross the railroad tracks, is personally liable to a person injured by reason of such failure to a penalty of one hundred dollars, to be recovered by civil action at the suit of the state, in the court of common pleas of a county in which such crossing or connection is. The company in whose employ such person is, as well as the person himself, is liable in damages to any person so injured in person or property.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4951 | Street Railways and Interurban Railroads › Section 4951.52 | Air Brakes Required on Suburban and Interurban Cars.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
No company or person owning or controlling any suburban or interurban railroad or street railway shall operate, use, or run, or permit to be run, used, or operated, for carrying passengers or freight on such suburban or interurban railroad or street railway, any car propelled by electricity, or any car or train of cars drawn by any car propelled by electricity, not equipped, in addition to the hand brake in such car or train, with an air or electric power brake so that the same can be operated and controlled by the motorman in charge of and operating such car or train.
The public utilities commission shall enforce this section.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4951 | Street Railways and Interurban Railroads › Section 4951.53 | Center Aisle Required in Street Railway or Interurban Cars.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
No street railway or interurban railroad company in this state, or its president, general manager, general superintendent, or other officer in charge of operation, shall permit or cause to be operated in this state any car for the carriage of passengers, or upon which passengers are carried, which does not have, parallel with the tracks upon which such car is being operated, a center aisle running the length of the car and suitable for quick and easy passage to and fro on the part of the employees of such company and the traveling public.
Each day's violation of this section constitutes a separate offense.
A violation of this section is a violation by the president, general manager, general superintendent, or other officer in charge of operation of the street railway or interurban railroad company.
The prosecuting attorneys of the various counties shall prosecute violations of this section.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4951 | Street Railways and Interurban Railroads › Section 4951.54 | Free Transportation of Police and Firemen.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
Upon the granting of franchises to traction companies or motor or bus transportation companies throughout this state for the use of streets, roads, and highways for the transportation of passengers, it must be provided, as one of the considerations for such use of the public highways, that such traction companies or motor or bus transportation companies shall carry free as passengers on all regular cars and busses, policemen and firemen when on duty and in uniform.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4951 | Street Railways and Interurban Railroads › Section 4951.55 | Operation of Cars Without Water Closet and Drinking Water.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
Every person or company engaged in the operating of interurban cars for a greater distance than ten miles between the corporate limits of municipal corporations shall place and maintain within such cars, so run or operated, a water closet or dry hopper closet, properly and sanitarily constructed, and suitable drinking water for the use of the passengers of such cars. The public utilities commission shall enforce this section.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4951 | Street Railways and Interurban Railroads › Section 4951.56 | Screen for Protection of Motormen and Conductors - Temperatures.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
No officer, agent, or employee in authority of a corporation, individual, or association shall direct or permit to be operated an electric car other than a trail car, whether such electric car is a passenger car, a freight car, a sweeper, or other car, unprovided at the forward end with a screen of glass or other material sufficient to completely protect from dust, wind, and storm the motorman or other person stationed there for guiding or operating such car, or fail to maintain during the entire period succeeding the thirty-first day of October of each year and ending on each succeeding fifteenth day of April, within any electric car so being operated, whether a passenger car, a trail car, or other car except in freight cars and, except in trail cars within the space behind any such screen, a temperature at all times of not less than sixty degrees Fahrenheit. Each day during which at any time such a car is operated while so unprovided or while such temperature is not so maintained is a separate offense. The prosecuting attorneys of the various counties of this state shall enforce this section.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4951 | Street Railways and Interurban Railroads › Section 4951.99 | Penalty.

Effective:
July 1, 1996
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 2 - 121st General Assembly
(A) Whoever violates section 4951.53 of the Revised Code shall be fined fifty dollars and imprisoned for not less than ten nor more than thirty days.
(B) Whoever violates section 4951.56 of the Revised Code shall be fined not less than twenty-five nor more than one hundred dollars.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4953 | Transportation Terminal Companies › Section 4953.01 | Powers of Union Terminal Companies.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
The presidents of two or more railroad companies running railroads to the same municipal corporation or township, by the consent and under the direction of their respective boards of directors, or any number of persons, not less than five, a majority of whom are residents of this state, may file articles of incorporation in the office of the secretary of state for the purposes of purchasing or leasing grounds, and locating, constructing, maintaining, and operating a common or union station house, passenger or freight depot, or other structures and facilities for the interchange, receipt, and delivery of freight transported or to be transported over a route which includes both rail and water, and yard, terminal, and connecting tracks for the use of railroads or both railroads and electric railways.
Such company may acquire such grounds, structures, and facilities, and such yard, terminal, and connecting tracks, by lease or otherwise. Such company may also acquire, by lease, purchase, or otherwise, and may construct, maintain, and operate in connection with its terminals or station, a terminal railroad with two or more tracks connecting the railroads of one or more companies. Such company may construct and maintain warehouses, stores, office buildings, hotels, and other structures for the accommodation of the public and may operate or lease said grounds, structures, and facilities, or any part of them.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4953 | Transportation Terminal Companies › Section 4953.02 | Articles of Incorporation.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
The articles of incorporation of a union terminal company, referred to by section 4953.01 of the Revised Code, shall specify:
(A) The name assumed by such company;
(B) When two or more of the incorporators are presidents of railroad companies, the names of such companies;
(C) The municipal corporation or township in which depot, terminals, connection tracks, structures, and facilities to be operated in connection with such company are to be constructed;
(D) The amount of capital stock necessary to obtain a site and to construct, maintain, and operate such depot, terminals, tracks, and other structures.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4953 | Transportation Terminal Companies › Section 4953.03 | Recording - Privileges.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
The articles of incorporation referred to by section 4953.02 of the Revised Code shall be signed by the presidents in behalf of the railroad companies, with the corporate seals of the companies annexed to such articles, or by any number of persons, not less than five, a majority of whom are residents of this state, and shall be forwarded to the secretary of state, who shall record and preserve them in his office. A copy of such articles certified by the secretary of state, is evidence of the existence of such company. After such recording, the company may contract, sue and be sued, locate and acquire rights of way, grounds, and terminals, and appropriate so much land as it deems necessary for its depot, tracks, terminals, structures, and facilities, and shall have all the powers given to railroads by the laws of this state, for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, and operating its depot, tracks, terminals, structures, and facilities. Such company is not subject to sections 4953.13 to 4953.16, inclusive, of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4953 | Transportation Terminal Companies › Section 4953.04 | Restrictions for Union Terminal Company Service.

Effective:
June 11, 2012
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly
No union terminal company or corporation shall engage in the business of a for-hire motor carrier, as defined in 4921.01 of the Revised Code, over any public highway in this state, without obtaining authority from the public utilities commission, and complying with all laws governing every corporation or company when engaged or proposing to engage in the business of a for-hire motor carrier.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4953 | Transportation Terminal Companies › Section 4953.05 | General Corporation Laws Apply.

Effective:
October 11, 1955
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 70 - 101st General Assembly
When a union terminal company is incorporated by individuals as provided in sections 4953.01 to 4953.12, inclusive, of the Revised Code, its organization shall be in the manner provided by sections 1701.01 to 1701.98, inclusive, of the Revised Code.
The capital stock of such company may be divided into common and preferred stock in the same manner and to the same extent as in the case of corporations organized under such sections.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4953 | Transportation Terminal Companies › Section 4953.06 | Board of Directors.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
The president of each railroad company which participates in the incorporation of a union terminal company as provided in section 4953.01 to 4953.12, inclusive, of the Revised Code, shall, ex officio, be a director in the union terminal company, unless the board of directors of any such railroad company appoints some other person as director. When such union terminal company is organized by not less than five persons, its board of directors shall be elected by its stockholders.
All questions which affect the pecuniary liabilities and expenditures, the election of officers, and the appointment of agents and employees, shall be regulated by the bylaws, rules, and regulations of such companies. Such bylaws, rules, and regulations shall not be inconsistent with the charter of the company and the general laws of the state.
The board of directors of the union terminal company shall keep a record of its proceedings which record shall be open to the inspection of the stockholders.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4953 | Transportation Terminal Companies › Section 4953.07 | Bylaws, Rules, and Regulations.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
The board of directors of a union terminal company may pass bylaws, rules, and regulations for its government, not inconsistent with the charters of the railroad companies and for the regulation of the depot and depot grounds and the business thereof. It shall appoint such officers and agents as are necessary. It shall adopt, and post conspicuously in the passenger depot, rules and regulations to control the conduct of all runners, solicitors, hackmen, and drivers of vehicles within the depot and depot grounds.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4953 | Transportation Terminal Companies › Section 4953.09 | Power to Borrow Money and Mortgage Property.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
Any union terminal company may borrow money for the purpose of carrying out the powers conferred by sections 4953.01 to 4953.12, inclusive, of the Revised Code, without reference to the amount of stock of such company, and may also issue coupon, registered, or other bonds payable to bearer, bearing interest not exceeding the highest contract rate of interest allowable in this state at the time, payable semiannually. Such company may mortgage its franchises, property, and revenues of every kind owned at the time such money is borrowed or such bonds are issued or subsequently acquire, to secure the payment of such loan, bonds, and interest. The stock holders of such company may jointly and severally guarantee the payment of any notes or bonds the company lawfully issues, and the company may dispose of such notes or bonds at such rate of premium or discount as the board of directors deems best for the interests of the company. It is sufficient to record any mortgage securing such loan or bonds in the real estate records of the county where the depot, terminal, yards, or tracks of the company are constructed.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4953 | Transportation Terminal Companies › Section 4953.10 | Liability of Company.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
The company controlling and operating the property of a union terminal company is liable to the public and to persons who contract with such union terminal company, upon all contracts made by it, for all damages caused by it, and for all damages, costs, and expenses which arise from the fault or neglect of its officers and employees.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4953 | Transportation Terminal Companies › Section 4953.11 | Detention Upon Probable Cause by Officer or Agent of Union Terminal Company.

Effective:
March 23, 2000
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 107 - 123rd General Assembly
(A) An officer or agent of a union terminal company who has probable cause to believe that a person is a pickpocket, is a thief, has violated the public peace, has violated any rule or regulation posted as provided by section 4953.07 of the Revised Code, or has committed any crime or misdemeanor on the depot grounds may detain the person in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable length of time within the property of the union terminal company, for the purpose of recovering any property involved in the violation, causing an arrest to be made by a peace officer, or obtaining a warrant of arrest.
(B) An officer or agent of a union terminal company acting under division (A) of this section shall not search the person detained, search or seize any property belonging to the person detained without the person's consent, or use undue restraint upon the person detained.
(C) Any peace officer, as defined in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code, may arrest without a warrant any person who the officer has probable cause to believe is a pickpocket, is a thief, has violated any rule or regulation provided by section 4953.07 of the Revised Code that also is a violation of law, or has committed any crime or misdemeanor on the depot grounds and shall make the arrest within a reasonable time after the commission of the act or violation that is the basis of the arrest.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4953 | Transportation Terminal Companies › Section 4953.12 | Protection of Property - Duties of Employees.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
All laws for the protection of railroads and their property, and all laws relating to or enforcing the duties and obligations of officers, agents, and employees of railroad companies to the public or to railroad companies, shall be applicable to the railroad tracks, property, officers, agents, and employees of a union terminal company.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4953 | Transportation Terminal Companies › Section 4953.13 | Union Electric Interurban Terminal and Depot Company.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
Any five or more persons, the majority of whom are citizens of this state, may become a body corporate for the purpose of constructing, maintaining, and operating union electric interurban terminals and depots and connecting tracks. Union electric interurban terminal and depot companies may be organized in the manner provided by law for the creation of corporations generally.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4953 | Transportation Terminal Companies › Section 4953.14 | Powers.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
A union electric interurban terminal and depot company may receive grants from the legislative authority of a municipal corporation for the use of its streets or alleys upon the same terms as street railways, which grant shall continue as long as the grants, and renewals and relettings of such grants, continue to any interurban railroad or street railway connecting with such company's depot or tracks. It may construct, maintain, and operate railway lines upon the streets or alleys of a municipal corporation to connect its depot with other street railways or interurban railroads, and may build, keep, maintain, and operate union electric interurban terminals and depots for electric cars and trains. Such company may contract for the use of its tracks for the operation of the cars of any interurban railroad or street or other electric railway company and for furnishing them terminal depot facilities. Any interurban railroad or street or other electric railway company may contract with such union electric interurban terminal and depot company for the use of its tracks and for terminal depot facilities.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4953 | Transportation Terminal Companies › Section 4953.15 | Appropriation of Private Lands.

Effective:
January 1, 1966
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 94 - 106th General Assembly
Union electric interurban terminal and depot companies may appropriate private lands for the purpose of connecting their main tracks, terminals, and depots with their own tracks and with the tracks of any other interurban electric railroad company, for acquiring depot sites, and for the construction of main track to avoid dangerous or difficult curves or grades or unsafe or unsubstantial grounds or foundations, or to extend or shorten their railroad lines. Such power to appropriate property shall be exercised in the manner provided for in sections 163.01 to 163.22, inclusive, of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4953 | Transportation Terminal Companies › Section 4953.16 | Maximum Charge.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
All charges made by union electric interurban terminal and depot companies for the use of their tracks and terminal depot facilities shall be on the same basis against each company using them and no preference in charges shall be given one company over another.
Such union electric interurban terminal and depot company shall not charge any interurban railroad or street or other electric railway company, for the use of the passenger terminal station, more than one cent for each passenger hauled by such companies within the limits of the municipal corporation.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4955 | Tracks; Crossings › Section 4955.01 | Elevated or Surface Track.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
If, in the location of any part of a railroad owned or operated by a domestic or foreign corporation, it is necessary to occupy with a surface or elevated track, with the necessary supports for it, any public road, street, alley, way, or ground of any kind, or part thereof, the municipal corporation or other corporation, or the public officers or authorities owning or having charge of such public road, street, alley, way, or ground, and the company may agree upon the manner and conditions upon which it can be used or occupied. In the event of the occupancy of such ground with an elevated track, the agreement shall specify the number, character, and location of all supports for the track, any part of which will be upon such public ground, and the vertical and longitudinal clearances between such supports.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4955 | Tracks; Crossings › Section 4955.02 | Appropriation of Property for Surface Track or Elevated Crossing.

Effective:
January 1, 1966
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 94 - 106th General Assembly
If the parties are unable to agree as provided in section 4955.01 of the Revised Code, and it is necessary in the judgment of the board of directors of the railroad company, to use or occupy such road, street, alley, way, or ground, or a part thereof, for surface tracks or for crossing with an elevated structure when no piers, supports, or obstructions are to be placed in such road, street, alley, way, or ground, the company may appropriate so much of it as is necessary for the purposes of its railroad in the manner and upon the terms provided for in sections 163.01 to 163.22, inclusive, of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4955 | Tracks; Crossings › Section 4955.03 | Limitation as to Action for Damages.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
Every railroad company which lays a track upon or over any street, alley, road, or ground, or part thereof, as provided in section 4955.01 of the Revised Code, is responsible for injuries done thereby to private or public property lying upon or near such ground, which may be recovered by civil action brought by the owner before the proper court at any time within two years from the completion of the track.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4955 | Tracks; Crossings › Section 4955.04 | Piers or Other Supports in a Public Way.

Effective:
August 22, 1995
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 99 - 121st General Assembly
When it is declared necessary by two thirds of the members of the legislative authority of the municipal corporation and the mayor approving, any municipal corporation may grant the right, by ordinance, to a railroad company operating a railroad in such municipal corporation to place and maintain necessary piers, or other stays or supports, in any street or way, when they are provided for and included in the plans and specifications prepared for the abolishment of grade crossings in such municipal corporation under sections 4957.10 to 4957.26 of the Revised Code. Every railroad to whom a grant has been made by any municipal corporation shall notify in writing the authorities making the grant of its rejection or acceptance of the grant at a time fixed by such authorities when making the grant. After such grant has been made and accepted by a railroad, if within sixty days after such acceptance there is filed with the mayor of the municipal corporation making such grant a petition protesting against it signed by such a number of the electors of the municipal corporation qualified to vote at the most recent general election as equals ten per cent of the number of votes cast for mayor at the most recent election for mayor, he shall certify that fact to the proper election officials.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4955 | Tracks; Crossings › Section 4955.05 | Submission of Question to Electors.

Effective:
July 2, 2010
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 48 - 128th General Assembly
The officials in charge of general elections, in accordance with the laws relating to elections, shall arrange for and conduct the submission of the question referred to in section 4955.04 of the Revised Code to the electors. The question whether the grant shall be made shall be submitted to the electors of such municipal corporation at the succeeding general election occurring more than ninety days after the expiration of the sixty days referred to in such section. The ballots at such election shall read "Elevated Railroad Grant--Yes;" "Elevated Railroad Grant--No." If at the election a majority of the votes cast on such question is against the grant, it shall be void.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4955 | Tracks; Crossings › Section 4955.06 | Longitudinal Occupancy of Way Unlawful.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
Sections 4955.01 to 4955.06, inclusive, 4961.16, and 4961.17 of the Revised Code do not authorize a grant of the right to occupy any public street, avenue, or alley, longitudinally by an elevated track, except in so far as necessary to accommodate a curve in the line of the elevated track, in which case no supports shall be placed in the roadway of the street, avenue, or alley between the curb lines thereof. Such longitudinal occupancy of the street, avenue, or alley shall not exceed three hundred feet in length.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4955 | Tracks; Crossings › Section 4955.07 | Track of Uniform Gauge.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
Every company shall make every railroad constructed or controlled by it of one uniform gauge or width of track from end to end. When a railroad connects with or crosses another railroad, the companies owning or controlling such railroads may adopt such uniform gauge or width of track as will enable each company to pass its cars over the railroad of the other. If railroads so connecting or crossing are constructed of different gauges or widths of track, the companies controlling them may lay down, and maintain upon the whole or any portion of such railroads, additional rails so as to admit the passage of the same cars over both railroads, and also maintain and operate either or both of such railroads upon the tracks originally constructed, as is deemed expedient by the companies owning or controlling either or both of the railroads.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4955 | Tracks; Crossings › Section 4955.08 | Tracks May Be Used in Common.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
When two or more railroad companies have two or more tracks of the same gauge in the same street, alley, public way, or opening through a municipal corporation, the legislative authority of such municipal corporation may require such companies to use such tracks in common and to pass their locomotives and cars over each track in one direction only.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4955 | Tracks; Crossings › Section 4955.09 | Obstructing the Laying of a Track.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
No person or corporation shall willfully interfere with or obstruct any company engaged in laying the track of its railroad across any other railroad, if such company has fully complied with the law and obtained the right to so lay its track. No person or corporation shall obstruct the full operation of any railroad so constructed. A person or corporation which violates this section, for each day of such interference or obstruction, shall pay one thousand dollars, to be recovered by action in the name of the state. Half such recovery shall go to the company so interfered with, and half to the county in which the interference occurs. Such person or corporation is also liable for damages to the party injured.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4955 | Tracks; Crossings › Section 4955.10 | Railroad Crossings.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
When the tracks of two railroads cross each other, or in any way connect at a common grade, the crossings shall be made and kept in repair and watchmen maintained at such crossing at the joint expense of the companies owning the tracks. All trains or engines passing over such tracks must come to a full stop not nearer than two hundred nor further than eight hundred feet from the crossing, and must not cross until signaled to do so by the watchman, nor until the way is clear.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4955 | Tracks; Crossings › Section 4955.11 | Crossings of Trains.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
When two passenger or freight trains approach a crossing at the same time, the train on the road first built shall have precedence if the tracks are both main tracks over which all passengers and freights on the road are transported. If only one track is such main track, and the other is a side or depot track, the train on the main track shall take precedence. If one of the trains is a passenger train and the other a freight train, the passenger train shall take precedence, and regular trains on time take precedence over trains of the same grade not on time. Engines with the cars attached, not on time, shall take precedence over engines without cars attached, not on time.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4955 | Tracks; Crossings › Section 4955.12 | Rules to Be Made and Published.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
The managing agent or superintendent of each railroad shall establish, and publish to all the employees on the railroad, such rules and regulations as in all cases will secure strict compliance with sections 4955.10 and 4955.11 of the Revised Code, and shall republish such rules and regulations on each timetable or card issued to the employees on the railroad.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4955 | Tracks; Crossings › Section 4955.13 | Failure to Publish Rules - Forfeiture.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
If a managing agent or superintendent fails to establish and publish rules and regulations as provided by section 4955.12 of the Revised Code, or fails to republish them on each timetable or card issued to the employees on the railroad, he is personally liable for every such failure to a penalty of one hundred dollars, to be recovered together with costs in an action against him in favor of the state, to be brought in the court of common pleas of the county in which the crossing is.
Such agent or superintendent, and the company of which he is agent or superintendent, shall also be liable in damages to any person or company injured in person or property by an accident arising from such failure.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4955 | Tracks; Crossings › Section 4955.14 | Failure to Comply With Rules - Forfeiture.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
An engineer or person in charge of an engine who willfully fails to comply with sections 4955.10 and 4955.11 of the Revised Code, or fails to bring the engine of which he is in charge, with the train attached to it, to a full stop at least two hundred feet before arriving at a railroad crossing or connection, or crosses it before signaled to do so by the watchman, or before the way is clear, is personally liable to any person injured by reason of such failure in a penalty of one hundred dollars, to be recovered by civil action at the suit of the state in the court of common pleas of the county in which such crossing or connection is.
The company in whose employ such engineer or person in charge of an engine is, as well as the person himself, is liable in damages to any person or company injured in person or property by such neglect or act of such engineer or person.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4955 | Tracks; Crossings › Section 4955.15 | Trains May Cross Without Stopping.

Effective:
July 1, 1989
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 111 - 118th General Assembly
If two railroads crossing each other, or in any way connecting at a common grade, by works or fixtures to be erected by them render it safe to pass over those crossings without stopping, and the works and fixtures first are approved by the public utilities commission, and the plan thereof for the crossing, designating the plan of crossing, has been filed with the commission, sections 4955.10 to 4955.15 of the Revised Code do not apply. If the commission disapproves the plan, or fails to approve it within twenty days from its filing, the companies may apply in the county where the crossing is situated to the court of common pleas or a judge of that court in vacation. Upon reasonable notice being given to the commission and upon good cause shown, the court or judge shall appoint a competent disinterested engineer, not a resident of the county through which the railroads pass, to examine the crossing and prescribe the plan of and conditions for it. Not later than twenty days after his appointment, the engineer shall submit the plan and conditions to the applicable court of common pleas, subject to exceptions by any affected party. The court shall examine, approve, and confirm them unless good cause is shown against that approval. The order of confirmation shall be sufficient authority for the erection, use, and occupancy of the crossing.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4955 | Tracks; Crossings › Section 4955.16 | Mode of Crossing Ordered by Court.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
When outside the limits of a municipal corporation it becomes necessary for the track of a railroad, street or electric railway, or interurban railroad company to cross the tracks of another railroad, street or electric railway, or interurban railroad company, or it is necessary within the corporate limits of a municipal corporation for the tracks of a railroad, street or electric railway, or interurban railroad company to cross the tracks of another railroad, street or electric railway, or interurban railroad company, other than within the limits of a public street or highway, unless the manner of such crossing is agreed to between such companies, the court of common pleas of the county in which such crossing is located, or a judge of such court in vacation, on application of either party, must ascertain and define by its decree the mode of such crossing which will inflict the least practical injury upon the rights of the company owning or operating the tracks intended to be crossed.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4955 | Tracks; Crossings › Section 4955.17 | Grade Crossings Avoided if Practicable.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
If in the judgment of the court of common pleas or judge of such court, as provided in section 4955.16 of the Revised Code, it is reasonable and practicable to avoid a grade crossing, by its process the court shall prevent a crossing at grade. In determining the mode of such crossing, no grade shall be required to exceed the established maximum or ruling grade governing the operation by motive power of that division or part of the railroad on which the improvement is to be made without the consent of the company. Neither company's track shall be required to be placed below high-water mark.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4955 | Tracks; Crossings › Section 4955.18 | Order of Court.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
The court, by its order referred to in section 4955.16 of the Revised Code, shall define the manner in which the applicant is to do or let the work for such crossing and equitably apportion the initial expense of such construction or crossing and the expense of maintenance among the parties interested.
A party feeling aggrieved by the decision of the court shall have the right of appeal as in other civil cases.
Unless the companies agree upon the compensation to be paid for the land occupied by such crossing, the court shall submit that question to a jury as provided in other cases for the appropriation of private property.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4955 | Tracks; Crossings › Section 4955.19 | Exceptions.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
Sections 4955.16 to 4955.19, inclusive, of the Revised Code, do not prevent any street or electric railway company, interurban railroad company, or railroad company from laying additional tracks at existing crossings, under authority existing on May 9, 1908.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4955 | Tracks; Crossings › Section 4955.20 | Highway Crossings and Sidewalks - Maintenance and Repair.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
Companies operating a railroad in this state shall build and keep in repair good and sufficient crossings over or approaches to such railroad, its tracks, sidetracks, and switches, at all points where any public highway, street, lane, avenue, alley, road, or pike is intersected by such railroad, its tracks, sidetracks, or switches. Such companies shall build and keep in repair good and sufficient sidewalks on both sides of streets intersected by their railroads, the full width of the right of way owned, claimed, or occupied by them. The board of township trustees shall have power to fix, and determine the kind and extent, and the time and manner of constructing, crossings and approaches outside of municipal corporations.
The legislative authority of a municipal corporation may exercise the same powers as to crossings, approaches, and sidewalks within municipal corporations as such board exercises concerning crossings and approaches outside of municipal corporations. Such crossings, approaches, and sidewalks shall be constructed, repaired, and maintained by the railroad companies as so ordered.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4955 | Tracks; Crossings › Section 4955.201 | Abandonment of Railroad Track.

Effective:
June 30, 1993
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 154 - 120th General Assembly
(A) If the interstate commerce commission approves the abandonment of a railroad track that crosses a road or highway at grade, the railroad that owned the track immediately after the approval of the abandonment shall remove the track at the crossing and fill the space previously occupied by the rails with the same material that comprises the road or highway at the crossing. Upon completion of the work, the surface of the crossing where the rails previously were located shall be the same height as the surface of the road or highway abutting the crossing. The restored portion of the road or highway shall meet the construction standards applicable to the road or highway of which the restored portion is a part.
(B) No railroad shall fail to remove from a crossing the rails that comprise a track whose abandonment has been approved or fail to fill the space previously occupied by the rails as required by division (A) of this section.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4955 | Tracks; Crossings › Section 4955.21 | Service of Notice.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
The officers having charge of a public highway, street, or alley intersected by a railroad shall serve a written notice upon the nearest station agent or section foreman having charge of that portion of the railroad where such intersection occurs that the crossing, approach, or sidewalk described in section 4955.20 of the Revised Code must be built or repaired, setting forth its kind and extent and the time and manner of constructing it, as ordered by the legislative authority of the municipal corporation or board of township trustees.
A railroad company so notified must comply with such notice within a period of thirty days after receiving it. On failure to do so, the board or legislative authority may cause such crossing, approach, or sidewalk to be constructed or repaired as ordered, and recover the cost of so doing with interest in a civil action against the railroad company in the name of the board or municipal corporation.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4955 | Tracks; Crossings › Section 4955.22 | Failure to Construct or Repair Crossings or Sidewalks - Forfeiture.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
A railroad company which neglects to comply with sections 4955.20 and 4955.21 of the Revised Code is liable to pay damage to the municipal corporation or township in which the highway is situated in the sum of thirty dollars for such neglect, and a further sum of ten dollars per day for each day such company fails to comply with the terms of such sections, to be recovered in an action brought in the name of the municipal corporation or township. The prosecuting attorney of the county shall prosecute to judgment any claim arising under such sections without charge to the municipal corporation or township.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 49 | Public Utilities › Chapter 4955 | Tracks; Crossings › Section 4955.23 | Crossings Above Streets.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
No person or company owning or operating a railroad which crosses over and above a street less than seventy feet in width, in any city in this state, at an elevation above such street sufficient to permit persons to pass and repass along such street beneath the crossing, shall place, cause to be placed, or permit to be or remain in the street beneath such crossing or bridge, any pier or other stay or support for it, unless the placing or maintaining of such pier, stay, or support is authorized by the city in which the crossing is situated by ordinance, or permit such crossing or bridge to be or remain in such condition that iron, coal, other hard substance, fluid, or noisome matter can fall or drop through such crossing or bridge upon persons traveling or passing beneath it.