Just because the US never electrified it's train infrastructure after the obsoletion of the steam engine doesn't mean other folks didn't. Many trains straight up use their diesel engines as electric generators for electric motors. Electric cargo trains are cheaper to run than diesel, but the upfront cost is more expensive. Guess which option the non-state run train infrastructure of the United States chose. We're still seeing massive resistance from the train companies for doing it because they don't want to pay the cost.