N.Y. R.R. Law § 34
Where a portion of a steam surface railroad or branch thereof, shall be specifically authorized by statute to be taken for any other public use, and such portion lies wholly outside of any city, any corporation owning or operating such portion may locate, as provided in section sixteen of this article, and may construct and operate, in substitution for such portion, and with proper connections with the former line, a new line of steam surface railroad, wholly or partly in the same or any adjoining county, and wholly outside of any city, and not exceeding twenty-five miles in length, in the manner, with the powers and subject to the limitations and requirements provided in this chapter with respect to steam surface railroads.
N.Y. R.R. Law § 34