I prefer rail in its various forms. Way faster and cheaper. Canals are absolutely amazing at one crucial thing: moving mind boggling amounts of bulky low value goods for a fraction the cost of rail. The mississippi river system was no joke an american superpower (and still is) for a looong time. You can move grain for thousands of kms for the same price it would cost to ship it 150 via rail.
I do love rail, I’m just sad that we cleared most of our natural waterways for them to be laid down, and often stare wistfully when walking over a rail bridge
I prefer rail in its various forms. Way faster and cheaper. Canals are absolutely amazing at one crucial thing: moving mind boggling amounts of bulky low value goods for a fraction the cost of rail. The mississippi river system was no joke an american superpower (and still is) for a looong time. You can move grain for thousands of kms for the same price it would cost to ship it 150 via rail.
I do love rail, I’m just sad that we cleared most of our natural waterways for them to be laid down, and often stare wistfully when walking over a rail bridge