(a) The secretary of a railroad company, or other officer or agent of a railroad company who is the custodian of the books, records, papers, or other property of the company, shall keep the same in his possession at all times during business hours and have the same ready to be exhibited to any officer, director, or committee of stockholders of said company and shall furnish them with transcripts from the records of proceedings of the board of directors under his official hand and seal, on the payment to him of the same fee as that provided in Code Section 15-6-77 for the clerk of the superior court for transcripts from the records of his office.

(b) The secretary or other officer or agent shall, on resigning his office or otherwise vacating the same, turn over all such books, records, papers, and all other property of the corporation which are in his possession to his successor in office, or, if no successor has been appointed or elected, to the board of directors, if any, or to the person or persons designated by the stockholders of the company to receive such books, records, papers, and other property.