Ala. Code § 40-21-7
On or before March 1 of each year, the president, secretary, or auditor of any railroad company whose track or roadbed or any part thereof is in this state or, if such railroad is in the hands of a receiver or trustee, such receiver or trustee shall, under oath, make to the Department of Revenue a return in writing of the total length of such railroad, including the right-of-way, roadbed, side tracks and main tracks in this state, specifying the total length in this state and in each county, city or incorporated town, school district, or other tax district in this state in which a special school tax or other tax is levied; and also of the number of locomotive engines or other units of motive power, and passenger, freight, construction, and other cars of such company for the entire system and the number of each allocated to this state, stating the method used in so allocating, and the location and a description of all other property owned by such company in the State of Alabama, and of the average amount of merchandise and supplies kept or carried on trains for sale or other disposition for profit by such companies to employees or other persons in this state for the year next preceding the return.
Ala. Code § 40-21-7 (1975)