All real estate, except railroad rights-of-way, belonging to any railroad corporation in this state, shall be subject to the same obligations as real estate belonging to individuals and private corporations concerning assessments of benefits and damages for municipal or public works and improvements, and the fact that any such real estate is held and used for railroad purposes shall not exempt it from assessment for special benefits on account of such municipal or public works and improvements. All such railroad corporations shall conform and be subject to the provisions and requirements of municipal charters and ordinances concerning the maintenance and repair of sidewalks and public places abutting their stations, whether passenger or freight, and concerning the removal of snow and ice from such sidewalks and public places.
(1949 Rev., S. 686.)