Rail freight in the US is the highest in the world. Europe focuses on passenger rail which is where the misconception comes from. However the vast majority of

Rail freight in the US is the highest in the world. Europe focuses on passenger rail which is where the misconception comes from. However the vast majority of the freight is travelling cross country from west to east. Last mile rail is incredibly inefficient which is why intermodal has taken over. The shipping container is simply transferred from the train onto a truck bed for the last mile. This eliminates the need for expensive and rarely used spur lines which is why you see them mostly abandoned.