§ 48:12-18 — Borrowing money; bonds; mortgages; usury as defense; penalty

Every railroad company may borrow such sums of money from time to time as shall be necessary to construct, improve, extend and repair its road and furnish all necessary lands, chattels, engines, cars and equipments. To secure repayment thereof it may issue bonds secured by mortgage on any of its railroad, lands, chattels, franchises and appurtenances. Such company shall not plead any statute against usury in any action at law or in equity to enforce the payment of any bond or mortgage executed pursuant to this section. If the amount of the mortgage debt of any railroad company of this state is limited by special law, the written consent of the holders of at least two-thirds in value of all of its stock shall be obtained before any such mortgage shall be executed. Any person issuing bonds of a railroad company in an amount greater than that authorized by law shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Where a mortgage on a railroad right of way and franchises includes chattels, it shall be sufficient evidence and notice thereof to record the same as a mortgage on real estate.