Of course, the real reason for the move to super-narrowband digital, not only for railroads but for most other services, is to free up more space for cell and other data transmission companies. That was the clear reason for digital TV, for instance; improved picture and HD availablility were side benefits if you're in the right place, have a good antenna (more important than it was for analog - my TV provider is "antenna in attic" not one of the cable companies), and the digital channel has enough power (I lost one network that we used to get - glitchy but watchable in analog but just not there most of the time digital - because their new transmitter is relatively low-power), FCC was up front saying they wanted the old TV spectrum to sell for other services. In that regard, I expect that if UP actually did turn their digital licenses back in (confirmation anybody?) it won't last long - FCC will eventually require that railroads go digital whether they like it or not. How else, for instance, will they get enough spectrum to support PTC?

I have RRRadio in my favorites bar - but still forget about them. Thanks for the reminder!