Clearly different markets have quite different requirements and comparisons to air travel.

For example a "night train" maxes out around 12 hours. A train from 6pm to 6am is functionally equivalent to a 8pm flight, arriving at midnight, checking into a hotel, getting some sleep etc.

How far you can go in that 12 hours (give or take) depends on the speed of the train etc. In Europe you can go to a lot of places in 12 hours. In the US not so much.

Much longer and other factors come into play. You have to balance the time cost of "getting there" to the time benefit of "being there".

But thats OK. This solution doesn't have to work everywhere. It can start where it works well and grows from there.

That is like comparing range in gas cars and EVs. Some do that but there are other major benefits.

The lengths I will go through to avoid air travel is much higher than a 1:1 ratio in comparable time. When I have to get the cattle treatment I prefer cattle cars over cattle cans.

And even with 1:1 remember that layovers are a completely different beast. If Münich was a hub between Northern an southern Europe I would be happy to spend a well rested day before continuing on. Especially in spargel season!

...but only a fool does not fear German railroads. They could really learn from the Austrians.

The reason night trains are not a thing is because there is no real network. Looking for tickets in Europe it is often once or twice a week departures on specific routes. No real good north south interconnected corridor from Scandinavia.

And as a proper geek I have even sought them out but often found them sold out.

They cost optimized themselves to obliteration.