Unless the Commission orders otherwise, a railroad company shall have sufficient cars and motive power to meet all requirements that reasonably may be anticipated to transport passengers, property, and freight. If a railroad company does not have sufficient cars to meet the demand to transport freight in carload lots, the railroad company shall distribute available cars to shippers that apply. Except for giving priority to transporting livestock or perishable property, a railroad company may not discriminate in any way, including preferences as to shippers, localities, or competitive or noncompetitive points, when supplying cars under this section.

This section does not affect the duties of a railroad company or the powers of the Commission regarding joint rates. A railroad company shall receive freight cars of proper standard from other railroad companies at connecting points and haul the cars: to their destination; or by the route billed, to the connecting point with the next connecting carrier. Except on terms and conditions that the Commission establishes, railroad companies may not be required to interchange cars.

If safe to install, reasonably practicable, and justified by the volume of business, a railroad company, on the application of a shipper, shall construct, maintain, and operate on reasonable terms: a switch connection or a connection with a lateral line of railroad or private sidetrack owned by the shipper; or a sidetrack and switch connection for the shipper on property owned by the railroad company. The Commission shall regulate installation, maintenance, and compensation under this section. A railroad company may terminate connections that it provides under this section if the Commission determines that the required conditions are no longer satisfied.