You are probably hearing the digital NXDN signal from the Toronto Area on 160.230. I am involved with the Broacastify rail feeds provided around the western NY area by ARS-NET.
When we installed the Erie to Buffalo feed (
https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/37641) we had to immediately delete 160.23 B&P and 160.620 WNYPA due to the digital noise.
We attempted to live with slightly less severe interference on 161.52 CSX IG Dispatcher but had to abandon that also. The 160.620 also forced us to abandon plans to include the NYSW on our Finer Lakes Railway/Short Lines feed (
https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/36104) for the Geneva to Syracuse area.
With area rail operations being analog with carrier squelch there is no defense against digital interference from distant signals. The interference from the Toronto area may vary in intensity with weather conditions but atmospheric ducting is common over Lakes Erie and Ontario. With our wide area coverage from towers at unattended sites our only recourse is to delete affected frequencies from the feed.
We are able to include 160.230 in our Buffalo Area feed (
https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/37641) which is limited to local Buffalo coverage.
The probable sources of the interference are: 160.230 and 160.620 CN Concord - MacMillan Yard Operations
161.520 Metrolink GO16 Kitchener Line - Brampton RTC
This is something we are going to have to live with as rail communications switch to digital. The interference is not a major problem for the railroads with base stations located every few miles along the ROW to avoid problems with distant signals and the dispatchers use tone-up so they don't have to listen unless a unit is specifically calling them.