Automobiles vs. other modes

It occurred to me today, while watching a freight train go by on the old Metropolitan branch line of the B&O (now CSX) in northeast DC, that railroad automobile carrier cars demonstrate the greater efficiency of transportation modes other than the automobile.

This photo demonstrates the difference in efficiency. (Such freight cars in the U.S. have more serious screens designed to prevent people from throwing rocks and otherwise damaging the cars.)

Railroad automobile carriers freight cars in Australia. (Photo from Webace.)