(1)    In this chapter, unless a different meaning is manifest: “Railroad” means and embraces all corporations, companies, individuals, associations, their lessees, trustees or receivers that own, operate, manage or control any railroad or part of a railroad as a common carrier in this state, or cars, or other equipment used thereon, or bridges, terminals or sidetracks, used in connection therewith, whether owned by such railroad or otherwise.

   (3)   This chapter applies to the transportation of passengers and property between points within this state, and to the receiving, switching, delivering, storing and handling of such property, and to all water carrier charges connected therewith, and applies to all common carriers engaged in the transportation of passengers or property wholly by rail or partly by rail and partly by water, and to all common carriers of property wholly by water which operate between fixed end points, but shall not apply to transportation of property by water under contract as a private carrier.

   (4)   This chapter shall not apply to private railroads that are not common carriers.

   (4m)   Each provision of this chapter applies only to the extent that it is not contrary to or inconsistent with federal law or the constitution of the United States.

   (5)   “Water carrier” means a common or contract carrier of property by water that operates between fixed end points, but does not include a water carrier under common control with a railroad when transporting freight for continuous carriage or shipment. In this chapter, “common carrier,” with respect to a water carrier, includes a contract carrier other than a private contract carrier.