(a) All steam railroad companies operating steam locomotives on their railroads in this state shall provide and equip each steam locomotive so operated in this state with an automatic door to the firebox of such locomotive. Such automatic door shall be so constructed and so operated, either by steam, compressed air, or electricity, as deemed best and most efficient by the officers of the railroad. The device for operating such door shall be so constructed that it may be operated by the fireman of the locomotive by means of a push button or other appliance located on the floor of the engine deck or on the floor of the tender at a suitable distance from such floor to enable the fireman, while firing the locomotive by pressure with his feet to operate the door for the firing of the locomotive.

(b) This Code section shall not apply to locomotive engines weighing less than 125,000 pounds on the driver or having less than a 21 inch cylinder. This Code section also shall not apply to logging or tram roads, mechanically fired engines, or locomotives engaged in interstate commerce.

(c) Every steam railroad company failing to provide and maintain in good condition and working order an automatic firebox door as required by this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $100.00 nor more than $500.00 for each day such locomotive is operated in this state without such automatic door.