A rail communication system includes: a communication management device capable of being communicatively coupled with a conductive pathway that extends along a track; and an on-board communication device capable of being coupled with a rail vehicle that travels along the track and with the conductive pathway, the communication management device and the on-board communication device configured to communicate a data signal between each other through the conductive pathway, where the data signal includes network data. A method for communicating with rail vehicles includes: coupling a vehicle management device with a conductive pathway that extends alongside a track; and coupling an on-board communication device disposed on a rail vehicle that travels along the track with the conductive pathway; where the communication management device and the on-board communication device communicate a data signal that includes network data through the conductive pathway.