Notwithstanding the lease as provided in section 4961.36 of the Revised Code the corporation of this state lessor therein, shall remain liable as if it operated the railroad itself, and both the lessor and lessee shall be jointly liable upon all rights of action accruing to any person for negligence or default growing out of the operation and maintenance of such railroad, or in any wise connected with it, and may be jointly sued in the courts of this state of proper jurisdiction and prosecuted to final judgment as in other cases of joint liability. Service may be had upon such companies, or either of them, by the service of process upon any officer or agent of either of the companies.
R.C. § 4961.37