Some simple facts. American rail can reduce major greenhouse gasses.

Local politics and gunshy politicians shoot down viable commuter rail lines all the time, due to NIMBY'S and car only people. Private commuter and intercity travel is profitable (see Bright line)

Government handouts, create inefficiencies in maintaining track and infrastructure. These need to be stopped.

Rehabbing even railbanked lines is very expensive due to legal fights and multiple layers of unneeded regulation.

Passenger highspeed rail is affordable and profitable if shielded from local and state politics.

Passenger travel short medium and long distance is viable and profitable if the frieghtlines were forced to abide by the original Amtrak agreements. Little known fact, private passager rail in England is profitable and easy to use.

All of this would help reduce global warming by removing cars and trucks from the road. Like it does everywhere else.

https://www.vice.com/en/article/k7b5mn/a-dollar100-billion-lesson-in-why-building-public-transportation-is-so-expensive-in-the-us