In 1936 the UK was already consolidated down to 4 companies (IIRC). The big abandonment was deliberate government policy in the 60s, and the logic was exactly l

In 1936 the UK was already consolidated down to 4 companies (IIRC). The big abandonment was deliberate government policy in the 60s, and the logic was exactly last-mile truck (or bus) delivery with rail for the trunk. But it turned out that once you put things on a truck, they tended to stay there the whole way, since changing modes has significant friction and the country isn't vast.