537.240.  Railroads and railroad corporation or companies — terms construed. — Whenever the words "railroad companies" or "railroad corporation" shall be found in sections 537.040 to 537.110, 537.130 to 537.260, it shall be taken and construed to include all companies, corporations, person or persons operating any railroad in this state, and wherever the word "railroad" occurs in any of said sections it shall be taken and construed to include all railroads operated in this state by whatever motive or power propelled, and shall include all railroads or railways, commonly known as street railways, and all railroads operated by terminal companies or associations, known as "terminal railroads" or "railways", as well as all railways or railroads operated anywhere in the state, commonly known as electric railroads, whether they be wholly or in part in the city or country districts; also all railroads within the country or city operated by what is commonly known as cable or motor power, or by horsepower.