Ala. Code § 10A-21-2.02
Railroad companies may, by condemnation, acquire real estate for ways and rights-of-way not exceeding 100 feet in width throughout the entire length of its lines, such other lands as may be necessary for ways and rights-of-way for switches, turnouts, sidetracks, extensions, and branch roads not exceeding 100 feet in width throughout the entire length of such switches, turnouts, sidetracks, extensions, and branch roads and such other lands as may be necessary in making heavy excavations or embankments, or for the purpose of wasting material from excavations, for borrowing earth or other material for the construction of embankments or for protecting, making, keeping safe, and perfecting its roadway, together with the rights to remove all such trees outside thereof as might by falling upon, or shading, the roadway, injure the same, and may relocate any portion of its line for purpose of straightening or otherwise improving the same and, for that purpose, may acquire by gift, purchase, or condemnation all necessary rights-of-way over lands and abandon its original or constructed line, but it shall not change its termini or make an entire departure from its original line between such termini.
Ala. Code § 10A-21-2.02 (1975)