No, no matter what RAILROADS are still the most efficient way to move goods. IIRC, A gallon of Diesel can move 5 tons over 200 miles.
Yep, pound for pound, rail is the most efficient. On average, it takes about 2.7 to 3.5lbs. of drawbar pull to move 1 ton of train. The average road locomotive is rated at 4400HP, and has about 120,000lb. of drawbar pull. The railroad I work for has an average 9000 ton train, at 10,800ft. length. Aside from the arcane info, does this mean that you can move a locomotive down an old Roman wagon trail?
If water is available cargo ships beat trains. Maybe robotic blimps would beat them all. Fuel efficiency comparisons never seem to factor in speed differences. If a 747 slowed down to 150 mph and a freight train sped up to that speed, the 747's fuel efficiency would blow the train away. In theory fuel efficiency for all modes of transport approaches infinity as speed approaches zero.