Kevin, we are talking about actual commercial 2-way radios.
The railroads are migrating thier radio system over to a digital standard known as NXDN. If you google NXDN, you should find some info about the details. It is NOT compatible with any "scanner" currently on the market. However, there are several people who have use computer software and a properly modified and interfaced with the computer, to allow the computer to de-modulate the NXDN signal.
If you are familiar with Public Safety radios systems, you have probably heard of P-25 or APCO-25.
It is kind of like that, but they arent the same, so they dont work together either.
The railroads are currently upgrading their mobile, portable, and base station equipment with NXDN radios made by Kenwood, Icom, and Ritron.
All 3 brands work together in the Conventional Very Narrow Band 6.25 NXDN mode.
Most railroads have already upgraded their FCC licenses, so once all the radios have been upgraded, the railroads will start switching one subdivion at a time.
Some people on here like the Kenwood line of "NEXEDGE" radios, but I am partial to Icom's "iDAS" line.
Steven