Inspectors shall be appointed by the commissioner of transportation, who shall be familiar with the construction and operation of steam locomotives and their appurtenances, whose salaries shall be fixed by the commissioner of transportation. They shall, under the direction of the commissioner of transportation, inspect locomotives used by corporations operating steam railroads within the state, or locomotives owned or operated by corporations, partnerships or persons on or over any track adjacent to or parallel with any track of any railroad corporation within the state, and may cause the same to be tested by hydrostatic tests and shall perform such other duties in connection with the inspection and test of locomotives as the commissioner of transportation shall direct. But this section shall not relieve any corporation, partnership or person from the duties imposed by the preceding section.
N.Y. R.R. Law § 73