§ 85. Certain railroads may cease operation in winter. The directors
of any railroad corporation operating a railroad, constructed and used
principally for transporting lumber or ores, during the summer months,
or for summer travel, may, by a resolution duly passed at a meeting
thereof, apply to the commissioner of transportation for permission to
cease the operation of their road during the winter season, for a period
not exceeding seven months in any one year, specifying the date of such
suspension, and the date of the reopening thereof, and such commissioner
of transportation may, in his discretion, make an order granting the
application wholly or in part, and thereupon such railroad corporation
shall be relieved of the duty of operating its road during the period
specified in the order. A copy of such order shall be posted in all
depots and at the termini of such railroad, and published in every
newspaper in each town in any part of which such road shall be
constructed at least four weeks prior to the date of such suspension.