When a railroad company in this State shall become insolvent and its property shall have passed into the hands of a receiver by order of the Superior Court, the receiver shall operate the railroad for the use of the public, subject at all times to the order of the Superior Court. All expenses incident to the operation of the railroad shall be a first lien on the receipts, to be paid before any other encumbrances whatever.
N.J.S. § 48:12-146