Subject to § 6-101(c) of this article, a Maryland railroad company may acquire, own, hold, pledge, sell, dispose of, endorse, guarantee, or assume the stocks, bonds, and other securities of: a Maryland railroad company; a railroad company of any other state; and an inland, coast, or ocean transportation company. A Maryland railroad company may own and operate a line of steamships or steamboats if they can be used wholly or partly, in connection with the business of the Maryland railroad company.