1920-1950's - Steam Engines
Competition from road transport during the 1920's to the 1930's were disastrous for the railway industry, and the revenue being collected was greatly reduced, despite the increasing need for railway maintenance. Railway companies accused the government of favouring road haulage, through increased funding going towards the construction of roads and, and the restrictions placed on the price flexibility. As a result of this, railways entered a period of slow decline. The lack of investment and the dramatic change in transportation policies and people's lifestyles meant that travel by locomotive was becoming more and more obsolete. During WW2 however, in Britain and America, locomotives were used more in the war effort, despite the strain this put on the railways resources and the maintenance backlog it created, over 90% of wartime passengers were carried on trains and all of America's long distance freight was carried on trains. After this, the government in both Britain and America brought rail service into the public sector. Railways were now mostly focused on hauling freight.
1950-1990
The railway lines made a few initial changes after WW2, and the usage of trains for travel increased. The network became profitable again, but this was short lived, and in 1955 rail revenue fell. In the mid 1950's, Diesel Engines were hastily introduced in an attempt to generate more income. Dr. Richard Beeching was assigned to reorganize the railways in Britain, but railway travel still wasn't profitable and the government cut funding in Britain and America substantially. Passenger levels decreased steadily from the late fifties to the late seventies. In the late 1970's however, high speed intercity trains running on electricity were introduced, and service became more cost effective. Then, most major railways were privatized, and passenger levels increased strongly. Not only this, but goods being carried by rail were now coming in standardized steel boxes, which made it easier for freight trains to carry goods faster and in bulk.
1990-2014
In 2010 there are more passengers riding trains, trams and other public transport everyday than there were in the 1920's. The MRT in Singapore is a great example of trains being used by more and more people. Trains have since become more popular in urban areas, and more popular for carrying freight around the country.