In 40 years as a rail customer, I never really encountered any railroad that flat out refused to handle something. The easiest way for a railroad to demonstrate they don't want a particular piece of business is to simply price it so high it shifts to over the road. That keeps them compliant with their common carrier obligation.
Now; I did encounter many times a railroad would refuse to provide me with a Rule 11 or proportional rate and that's a violation of STB rules. In those situations though, it comes down to how many millions you wish to spend to be proven right.
CW
