Canals are a reasonable substitute for railways in many cases. They're slower, yes, but can move far more goods at scale, and with only modest power inputs. I

Canals are a reasonable substitute for railways in many cases. They're slower, yes, but can move far more goods at scale, and with only modest power inputs. In colder climates (should such exist), they also become ice highways in winter time, which permit for year-round bulk transport. Though the elevation gain/loss features of canal locks are lost in the latter case.