Electric rail is a relatively new invention. The infrastructure and conditions for traditional methods - steam - were serious trouble from an upkeep standard headed on my time working in rail. It wasn’t some halcyon method otherwise it would’ve easily been immune to “progress” as you put it because of financial and emotional investments. Clearly that didn’t happen.
Not really. The problem with electric (in 1930) is the low voltage (relatively low - still 600-1000 volts!) couldn't handle the needed watts for diesel.
Steam was more fuel efficient than diesel when it was replaced. But a diesel engine could start in less than a few hours, and needed one less person on the crew so it was cheaper overall.
