Diesel trains are roughly 1/6 the emissions per ton mile compared to truck, and then electric trains might be another 1/5 the emissions of diesel. We have the infrastructure to get most of the way there already. Upgrading to Electric rail is a good strategy but it is a significant capital cost. Re-nationalizing freight rail everywhere, and making it cost-effective to ship by rail, keeping or increasing the amount of last-mile trucking jobs which are much more comfortable and stable living than OTR would be a quicker solution to reducing emissions significantly than waiting for proliferation of electric trucks, or building the catenary for electric rail.
Diesel trains are roughly 1/6 the emissions per ton mile compared to truck, and then electric trains might be another 1/5 the emissions of diesel. We have the infrastructure to get most of the way there already. Upgrading to Electric rail is a good strategy but it is a significant capital cost. Re-nationalizing freight rail everywhere, and making it cost-effective to ship by rail, keeping or increasing the amount of last-mile trucking jobs which are much more comfortable and stable living than OTR would be a quicker solution to reducing emissions significantly than waiting for proliferation of electric trucks, or building the catenary for electric rail.