Mo. Rev. Stat. § 388.370: Right-of-way — how secured.

Any railroad company in this state shall have the right to take and hold all necessary ground for right-of-way for the extensions and branch railroads authorized to be constructed as aforesaid and for depots and sidetracks and other necessary purposes, and if the title thereof cannot be secured by agreement with the owners thereof, or if from any other cause the title cannot be secured, such company may proceed to condemn the same in the same manner and with the same effect as is now provided by law for the condemnation of other lands.