Railroads, mining, manufacturing, and quarrying companies may purchase, lease, or acquire in any other manner, hold and operate a railroad or railroads or canals without this state for the purpose of making extensions or connections, and within this state may extend their roads or may construct and operate branch roads from any point or points on their lines and may also construct and operate second tracks, roads, or branch roads connecting any two points on their lines. The purchase must be made by resolution of the board of directors, which must be submitted to a meeting of the stockholders, called for the purpose of its consideration; at the meeting the resolution must be approved by the vote of holders of the larger amount in value of the stock, and if the resolution is so approved, a copy thereof and of the proceedings of the meeting of the stockholders, certified by the president and the secretary under the corporate seal, must be filed and recorded in the office of the Secretary of State. The extension or construction of the branch and second tracks or roads must be made by resolution of the board of directors, to be entered in the record of the proceedings of the corporation, designating the point from which and the point to which the extension or second tracks or roads, or branch roads, are to be constructed. A copy of the resolution, certified by the president and secretary under the corporate seal, must be filed in the office of the Secretary of State; and thereafter, for the purpose of making the extension or building the branch and second tracks or roads, the corporation shall have all the rights, powers, and immunities which are now or may hereafter, by the laws of this state, be granted to and vested in railroad corporations under and by virtue of the general corporation laws of this state.
Ala. Code § 10A-21-2.13 (1975)