What's a good scanner?

I am interesting in purchasing a scanner to listen in to the trains in my area, but am quite unfamiliar with what I should be looking for. Are there any particular scanners you would recommend, along with a good antennae? Thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

Here is a link that has a link to scanner equipment reviews

http://www.trainweb.org/railscan/index.html

And here is site where you can listen to train traffic across certain parts of the USA, Canada, and Australia.

http://www.railroadradio.net/index.php

 

i have a Uniden nascar scanner it is pretty good it is lightweight and
smaller