It's not as squirrelly as hydrogen to store and transport and its overall efficiency in diesel engines specifically designed for its use is better than electrolysis derived hydrogen used in fuel cells or combustion engines. Its properties are very similar to "bottled gasses" like propane. It can be used in stoves and other heating appliances just like propane.
Like hydrogen, DME is typically made from natural gas. It could also be made from atmospheric carbon dioxide with a suitable energy input which would make it a net zero-carbon fuel with any zero carbon energy source.
https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/emerging_dme.html
Here's a commercial site I have no affiliation with:
https://oberonfuels.com/
DME's direct competitor would be diesel and jet fuel made from carbon dioxide dissolved in seawater. That requires no changes to existing transportation modes. The USA is exploring the use of this technology in nuclear powered aircraft carriers. An aircraft carrier could make fuel for its aircraft and escorts, eliminating a carrier group's dependence on vulnerable fossil fuels inputs.
Electrifying railroads shouldn't be any big deal. It's a 140 year old technology. Electric trains can be powered by any available electricity source -- be it wind, solar, or nuclear power.
I'm an enthusiast of active "third rail" technologies which would eliminate unsightly overhead lines. Sections of an active third rail are only energized as the train passes above them. When there is no train passing above the third rail is harmless. If trains have some small battery capacity the third rail can be omitted entirely at road crossings and other similarly sensitive places. The power lines supplying the the third rail can be buried underground.
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