(a) Any railroad company owning or operating a railroad in this state, whether such company is chartered under the laws of this state or under the laws of any other state, is authorized and empowered:

(1) To reconstruct its lines or tracks, to build one or more additional main tracks, to relocate any line or portions of a line, and to build, as a substitute for trestles, embankments upon which tracks may be laid or to widen cuts where necessary for proper construction or maintenance;

(2) For obtaining gravel and other material, to take as much land as may be necessary for the purpose of construction, operation, and maintenance of such road;

(3) To cut any trees that may be in any danger of falling on the tracks or obstructing the right of way, making compensation therefor as provided by law;

(4) To build and maintain such additional depots, tracks, and terminal facilities as may be necessary for the proper accommodation of the business of the company; and

(5) To construct, maintain, and operate tracks for the purpose of connecting two or more lines of railroad operated by the same company not more than ten miles apart.

(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this Code section, no railroad company shall be authorized so to change the location of an existing line as to leave off of the line of railroad to be operated by it any of the passenger or freight stations now existing under the same without the express approval of the commission.