As used in Chapters 4901., 4903., 4905., 4907., 4909., and 4959. of the Revised Code, "railroad" includes any corporation, company, individual, or association of individuals, or its lessees, trustees, or receivers appointed by a court, which owns, operates, manages, or controls a railroad or part of a railroad as a common carrier in this state, or which owns, operates, manages, or controls any cars or other equipment used on such a railroad, or which owns, operates, manages, or controls any bridges, terminals, union depots, sidetracks, docks, wharves, or storage elevators used in connection with such a railroad, whether owned by such railroad or otherwise, and means and includes express companies, water transportation companies, freight-line companies, sleeping car companies, and interurban railroad companies, and all persons and associations of persons, whether incorporated or not, operating such agencies for public use in the conveyance of persons or property within this state. All duties required of, and penalties imposed upon, a railroad or an officer or agent thereof insofar as they are applicable, are required and imposed upon express companies, water transportation companies, and interurban railroad companies, and upon their officers and agents.
The public utilities commission has the power of supervision and control of express companies, water transportation companies, and interurban railroad companies to the same extent as railroads.