(a)
(1) When a shipper makes a written application to a station agent of a railroad company doing business in this state for cars, to be loaded with any kind of perishable freight such as fruit and vegetables, embraced in the tariff of the company, stating the character of the freight, the kind of cars wanted, and the final destination of the freight, the railroad company shall furnish cars, in the kind and quantity ordered, at the place of shipment, within twenty-four (24) hours from 7:00 p.m. on the day following the application.
(2) If refrigerator cars are ordered, they shall be furnished with bunkers well filled with ice, if so ordered by the shipper.
(3) When a future date is designated by the shipper on which he or she desires to make a shipment, giving not less than twenty-four (24) hours' notice, computing from 7:00 a.m. on the day following the application, the railroad company shall furnish cars on the day specified in the application. The station agent shall then give the party making the application a receipt showing the date of requisition, the number of cars, and the date the cars are to be furnished.
(b) For failure to comply with this section, the railroad companies so offending shall forfeit and pay to the shipper making the application, upon a claim being made in writing, duly verified as to amount of loss, double the damages he or she may have sustained by reason of the failure of the railroad companies to comply with this section and §§ 23-10-404, 23-10-439, and 23-10-440.
(c)
(1) This section shall not apply to railroads which are not public carriers.
(2) This section shall not apply in cases of strikes, wrecks that would hinder delivery of cars at the times and in the manner specified in this section, sudden congestion in traffic, washouts, and other sudden public calamities over which the railroad companies can exercise no control, but the burden shall be on the railroad company to prove the existence of any of these facts in justification of their failure to comply with this section.