More freight by rail... what is the true cost?

I think the environmental and pollution case demands we put ideology before straight statistics in this case and subsidise a renaissance until it can stand on it's own two feet again on the back of a rolling programme of reopenings. Toll Motorways if it requires it. Small load freight from lines like the Cambrian could be where the renaissance restarts. How we bring it about of course depends on Churches, Universities and Public and that is remote sadly I feel whilst petrol is so cheap. So an escalator commuted to good causes like more freight by rail would be good, but can we trust politicians to do just that akin to Brexit and money back for NHS?! At what cost elsewhere?

http://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/2016/06/07/rail-freight-volumes-at-their-lowest-since-mid-1980s and https://www.facebook.com/Save-Forders-Sidings-620452731425801/