I am around turn 90 and about to have railoads. Since the game has 288 turns, it's not that late to have railroads.

But yes, the game ends before 288 most of the time. And your stacks doesn't require reinforcements from homeland most of the time, (Even the best units replenishes at the most unadvanced town)
Naval transportation is extremely fast and effective as well. So why bother using the trains?