If any railway corporation organized under this act, shall not, within two years after its articles of association shall be filed and recorded as provided in the second section of this act, begin the construction of its road, and expend thereon twenty-five per cent. on the amount of its capital, within five years after the date of its organization, or shall not finish the road and put it in operation within ten years from the time of filing its articles of association, as aforesaid, its corporate existence and powers shall cease.
610 ILCS 5/26