I think we run the risk of exaggerating what the EU does, the EU does some trans-national transport funding, and more general funding of transport system extensions - particularly in the new eastern member states - but it doesn't run the railways.
The railways in Europe are generally owned by state-owned companies and tend to operate in opposite of the US model. The US has IIRC lots of privately owned companies that own and operate the tracks, stations, and freight; and with one state-owned (called am-track or something) that does passenger services. European countries tend to have one state own company that owns and operates the tracks and stations, and in cases like Germany also do passenger and limited freight services, but most rail services are provided by private companies that bid for franchise rights.
But, anyway this is going rather off-topic and dragging on quite a bit.
In short Americans tend to have a large empathise on the individual, whereas post-Enlightenment Europe tends to take the view that society is more important than the individual, and that a powerful state is necessary for a good society.