Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-6-112

Nothing contained in § 65-6-107, § 65-6-108, § 65-6-110, or § 65-6-111, shall be construed to affect any rights railroad companies, whose roads are already constructed and being operated, may have in respect to rights-of-way over which railroads are already being operated, it being the intention of such sections not, in any manner, to add to or take from such rights as they may have in those rights-of-way, but to apply only to roads or extensions or branch roads to be built.