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 costs just fit rail really well.
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.
It makes US rail less efficient vs EU rail, but more competitive compared to US trucking.
The United States has the largest internal waterways system in the world, and we basically only use it for bulk goods.
In Europe - yes, but not US.
Even the "old diesel" locomotives are still easily 40% efficient.
The thing about electric motors is the energy source is abstracted. So even if you’re generating electricity with gas, it’s usually much more efficient than a small localized engine.
So I think my point stands, if EU is electrifying its networks, I don’t understand how the US could possibly be more efficient.
True - so long as the navigable waterways reach the points which you need to ship from & to. And the cargo isn't particularly time-sensitive. And exceptional droughts do not lower the rivers so far that "navigable" is only on paper, and not on the no-longer-there water. That last issue is getting to be a major problem this year.
The thing is both you and the GP seem to be handwaving it. Efficient in what sense? Is freight rail in Europe slower, more expensive, dirtier, and if so how much? Or do they just measure/account for externalities differently? It doesn't require an essay to put assertions about efficiency in context.
(Short version - each of the major U.S. freight RR's is more-or-less a monopoly in the part of the U.S. which it serves. If management relentlessly optimizes for profitability, and doesn't much care about customer service, shipping delays, sustainable staffing levels, etc... Well, I'm sure RR management has enjoyed some fat profit-sharing bonus checks.)
US rail has it's problems but freight rail is not one of them.
The US on the other hand allows for much heavier and slower freight trains. It’s very good at moving heavy stable bulk loads like coal and corn, but less so about moving perishable goods. US freight trips to Mexico can take as long as 45-60 days.