For the purposes of this chapter and chapters 219 and 222, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given them.
"Common carrier" shall mean railroad companies, except private railroads; express companies; and persons, natural or artificial, engaged in rail transportation as common carriers for hire.
"Railroad" shall include all railways, bridges, car floats, lighters and ferries used by or operated in connection with any railroad; and also all the road in use by any common carrier operating a railroad, whether owned or operated under a contract, agreement or lease; and also all switches, spurs, tracks, terminals and terminal facilities of every kind used or necessary in the transportation of the persons or property designated herein, including all freight depots, yards and grounds, used or necessary in the transportation or delivery of any such property.
"Transportation" shall include locomotives, steam, diesel or electric powered engines, cars and other vehicles, vessels and all instrumentalities and facilities of shipment or carriage, irrespective of ownership or of any contract, express or implied, for the use thereof, and all services in connection with the receipt, delivery, elevation and transfer in transit, ventilation, refrigeration, or icing, storage and handling of property transported.
Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes