Ohio Rev. Code § 4953.03
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.
R.C. § 4953.03