[wodenokoto]

Rail lines have inherent competition in form of trucks and boats (for transport of goods) and cars, busses and planes (for transport of people) and rail is often outcompeted by these as they don’t require large station in expensive real estate.

So the example of rail doesn’t really apply to this branch of the discussion.

However, once you’ve bought a house, it is very difficult to to but in new pipes from a different water works.