[Retric]

The US’s rail network isn’t that different than the EU’s.

The average freight rail trip in the EU are much shorter which makes rail less competitive relative to trucks. That has nothing to do with the rail network and is instead a function of EU’s economy.

The difference in utilization largely comes down to geography and politics. America’s flyover states and high population coasts just fit rail really well.

[JAlexoid]

> The average freight rail trip in the EU are much shorter which makes rail less competitive relative to trucks.

Which makes rail freight in US much more different, doesn't it? We cannot discount competitiveness when comparing rail networks in economics context.

The fact that US rail freight is so much more efficient makes any argument for internal water based transport much less sound.

[Retric]

> Which makes rail freight in US much more different, doesn't it?

It makes US rail less efficient vs EU rail, but more competitive compared to US trucking.