No international trains don't stop in the smaller cities.

To get from Poland to Germany or from Netherlands to UK you have to go to major city. Some towns have luck being on the way of such train and you could benefit from it but it is rather exception than rule.

Which in the end makes it basically the same as getting to the airport for most of the people.

At least in Norway there might easily be 5 hours drive to the nearest train station. In the northern parts I guess there might be 8 or more unless (and maybe even if) you drive into Sweden or Finland.

I remember my wife (who I'd just met back then) being somewhat surprised when I told her there were no train stops nearby.

I had two airports within an hour drive though, so we managed.

I wouldn't be surprised if there are more airline connections among cities than train connections.