The steam engine was limited by tractomotive force. Diesel electrics were cheaper to operate and maintain and they were more powerful, too. There has been some experimenting with diesel-electric heavy trucks, but not much.
tractomotive force.
Huh?
How does this apply?
https://www.nickzom.org/blog/2020/09/27/how-to-calculate-for-tractive-force-soil-mechanics-and-foundation/