N.Y. Railroad Law § 18: Railroads through public lands

§ 18. Railroads through public lands. The commissioner of general

services may grant to any domestic or foreign railroad corporation land

belonging to the people of the state, except the reservation at Niagara

and the Concourse lands on Coney Island, which may be required for the

purposes of its road on such terms as may be agreed upon by them; or a

domestic railroad corporation may acquire title thereto by condemnation;

and the county or town officers having charge of any land belonging to

any county or town, required for a domestic railroad corporation for the

purposes of its road, may grant such land to the corporation for such

compensation as may be agreed upon. In case the land or any right,

interest or easement therein, required by a domestic or foreign railroad

corporation is used for prison purposes the commissioner of general

services may grant such land, or any right, interest or easement

therein, provided the plans of such railroad corporation for the use of

such prison lands, or such right, interest or easement therein, have the

approval of the commissioner of corrections and community supervision.