Found this interesting:
https://railmarket.com/news/insights/45701-single-wagonload-in-europe-time-for-structural-reform-opinion

Very Interesting read. Many really good points and suggestions for solutions.

Sure some boundaries are more difficult to cross than others. But in countries allowing more competitive approach to different rail companies, operators like Hector rail early established rail connections from Germany to Sweden through Denmark. Using modern locomotives capable of handling the three signal systems and two different electric systems on the way.

For long haul drivers need to change and that can be done at some borders or trying to make regulations more international.

Ease the process of getting approval for rail vehicles in Europe. No individual vehicle approvals. (Possible looking north west from here.)

Loading gauges is a major problem, and don’t even mention Britain that still has a ridiculous small loading profile, never entering past the 1870’s with exception for the Chunnel.

Some countries state state rail operators have been very and forcefully against an opening up of domestic railways to private or foreign companies. Germany and France are two major examples of opposing any competition, but finally and thankfully will have to give in to EU policy and law. (Not sure about France though…)

Sweden made some of this transition during the 1990’s, including some really nasty play by SJ trying to force and price out any private competition.

During the last decades lorries and trailer lengths and weights have been allowed to increase on Swedish roads. This further increases the advantage for trucks. Today it’s possible to run 2*40-feet containers after a tractor. 25,25 meters total are allowed and up tu 34,5 meters on parts of the road network. Weights up to 60 to even 74 tons are possible far superseding anything standard allowed in the US, but of course a lot less than Australia.

I think the article miss some info about extremely low paid truckers from south eastern Europe. Sure more policing efforts in upholding regulations in drivers time, over loaded trucks, and speeding as well as some cabotage rules hindering some of the worst but far from all. Add the constant trouble foreign tractors with just one axle powered always get stuck on uphill Swedish roads in the winter time causing massive traffic congestion as well as accidents.

Not all is doom. The container trains from major ports to inland terminals are growing in both numbers and destinations.

Overall like the article says it’s a combination of solutions that’s needed.

Most problems stem from the territorial pissings of the national railroads guarding the comfort of monopoly. To bad they too late realised the competition are from roads and airplanes.