It is "easy" to carry a stack of boxes on a flatcar. Part of the problem is that we pulling up too many miles to railway. Many had to go, but was't much long term planning in letting so much go. Iac, the Germans rely more on rail and less on long-distance trucks. Has the added benefit that Autobahns don't cost as much per mile as an interstate type road.
Most things are shipped by rail in this country, still.