Research steam locomotives earlier than diesel ones

I feel like train tech comes a little too late, so my base is already quite big and crowded by the time I unlock it, making laying out tracks a bit challenging.
Steam locomotives also feel almost pointless when we get Diesel engines right away and Diesel production is easier to scale (and I’d rather save coal for things like smelting, where I have no choice)
An idea I saw in a YouTube comment was to separate research for steam and diesel trains. This could also unlock lower-tier, iron tracks, with limited max speed, train length, etc.

I think this is already in the works based on dev roadmaps. Will make trains available earlier, figure steamers. Also iron production will be removed, steel from the very start.
Naturally no date is given and everything is subject to change.