enjoy reading a positive story.

No offense to the big money makers of the train rails but the train track needs to be moved to the north of the county.....for those who say the track served as a levee to the area during Katrina I say well let's maintain the levee but the trains do not need to be here on the coast. The reasons for relocating the track are numerous and justified.

I'm so glad to see more stories appear. Every step forward is much needed progress. We must keep this area in focus, as we didn't hear much about it a couple nights ago. This whole gulf area is American, so why can't we do the same for our citizens as we do for the citizens of the world. MSNBC keep up the good work. We need to hear that the most progress comes from within, not from the government.

Highway 90 should be moved north as well

i have said it before....when the trains roll...the economy will grow....much needed materials can be brought ...in large quainties...thanks CSX

In December, my daughter and I were in BSL helping out and staying in a trailer where the bridge crosses the Bay. Those workers were amazing, beginning at 6am everyday. They even had time to erect a Christmas tree on the beach,with lights and decorations. To me the tree was a symbol of hope. God Bless them All.

I am living right off the beach near the train bridge in Bay St. Louis and the train whistles are music to my ears! As far as the train tracks being moved north, it's a great idea, but thank God CSX didn't wait for that decision to be made to get going again - we wouldn't have had train service for years - another good example of making a decision and moving forward is the debate with the bridges in the Bay and in Biloxi - we're getting ready to start ours in the Bay and they haven't even awarded the contract for the Biloxi bridge. I feel so sorry for those people in Biloxi, they are suffering from too many people, with too many opinions, involved in making a decision. In my opinion, one reason we are progressing nicely in the Bay is because of good leadership and people who will make decisions and be willing to face the consequences of those decisions! We are slowly on our way back and I am proud to be from here!

The rebuilding in Mississippi, Alabama and rural areas of Louisiana shows what self-reliance, independence, faith in God and themselves, and hard work can do. These are the kind of people who built this nation and made it great. God bless them, each and every one.

Yes, lets move the whole coastline North...everything should be moved North. This is the solution to our problems. Numerous and Justified are the people we can move North also.

A wonderful story about a group of people who were unwilling to admit defeat. The residents of these towns, along with the generous volunteers, decided on self-reliance rather than waiting for government handouts.

These citizens have taken back control of their lives while New Orleans is still waiting for someone else to fix their problems.

God bless you in the months to come. And God bless the volunteers everyday for the rest of their lives!

Thanks so much for this story of hope. I grew up across the street from a train station so that sound always brings back memories of my childhood. We're watching you all and hoping for more stories like this one!

Thursday night I was outside with the dogs and I heard the train whistle blowing. I scared the dogs because I yelled, "yes, yes, yes". Sort of scared myself also as I just could not believe how happy I could get over a hearing a train. Now when some restaurants and clubs open up with a view of the sunset over the water I will probably start to cry.

Glad to see some foreword progress. You have not been forgotten.

Credit for the Mississippi Gulf recovery goes first to the spirit of these people who take on the responsibility for their own recovery. Then, to the countless churches, temples, local town governments, the business community and individuals who gave and continue to give so unselfishly. And, credit to Governor Barbour and the Mississippi State Government's response to the needs of its people.
The Federal Government should take little credit for results so far.

I WAS ASSIGNED TO GULFPORT AFTER HURRICANE CAMILLE IN 1969. THE PEOPLE IN MS. ARE HARD WORKING AND GOOD PEOPLE. I WAS WITH S.B.A. AND MET QUITE A FEW OF THE PEOPLE ALONG THE MS. COAST, AND I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE EFFECTS AND COURAGE THAT THEY HAD.

I don't think these areas should be moved. It stood tall and proud until Katrina came through. Katrina was a one-of-a-kind event. You can't anticipate it happening again, and run scared. I love Mississippi. Born and raised there. Let's rebuild it like it was, like it should be.

I have lived in Biloxi, MS since 1981 having moved from New Orleans. I am a transplant, but a definite Mississippian. Since the day after the hurricane we have been helping each other move on. That is typical of Mississippi people. BTW, Biloxi has been ready for the bridge for some time; another town is holding up the process. BTW2, Biloxi lost a good third of the town; come pay us a visit and see for yourself. BTW3, volunteer Americans from over all the nation, especially church groups have been a Godsend, We thank you!!!

DA TRAIN, BOSS! DA TRAIN! Wonderful story,extremely poor title and typical sterotyping of southerners. I am from New Orleans and spent every summer growing up in Waveland Ms at my Uncle Adrians camp. I live in Southern California now. Not by choice, job transfer.If I had a choice I would rather live in Hurricane ridden area of LA and MS than this cold lonely place. In any town in Mississippi and Louisiana you would never feel alone no matter what color you are. No matter what you see and hear in the media. We may be at the bottom of of the map, but we are the heart of the world. Sincerely.

Nice to see Americans working together in some places,i.e.,MS. while others wait for the gov't to act. Has anyone seen the gov't act quickly about anything. They are studying the situation or are still trying to blame someone for the situation.
If my house was on fire I am not going to study whose fault it was and what to do about it, I am just going to get out of the house. Then start re-building.

Katrina will not be a one of a kind event.
We all thought Camille was, and were we wrong.
There is no indication that storm activity will be
lessened for several years, maybe decades.

During my time of living in Arizona, it was always a special treat to visit the Gulf areas of MS and AL where there was the best shrimp in the world! We visited often. I simply cannot imagine the utter devastation Katrina wrought on such a wonderful place. Every time I hear of the advances being made in MS and AL and the lack thereof in NO, it brings a grin to my face. God indeed does help those who help themself!

Desiree, I love the way you put it "at the heart of the world". Having visited MS in November for the first time in my life, I discovered that even in the midst of tragedy and disaster of mammoth proportions, the people of MS were sincerely warm and friendly toward our small band of Northerners. "Thank you, thank you!""God bless you." "Ya'll be sure to come back when we are on our feet." There was never a question about whether or not they would get back on their feet. They - and we - know they will!!!! We can't wait to return!

Not to go too far into the stereotyping and predjudices...rather than just assume that the author of the article was stereotyping with the title, Desiree D. may want to consider that perhaps the author was referring to the "Fantasy Island" line of "De plane, de plane" which was made famous by actor Herve' Villechez and perhaps re-examine her own predjudices and stereotyping habits. Not everyone believes southerners are idiots. Some folks kind of like us.

After helping to rebuild in Gulfport. rebuilding would move faster if the city would recognize out of state license and/or let the home owner pull the permit subject to strong inspection by the city. I asked, the city, answer was Florida does not recognize their license

I recently spent a week in the Bay St. Louis and Waveland area as a volunteer with Samaritan's Purse. I was not prepared for the devastation and I don't think many people throughout the U. S. are aware of the devastation along the Ms.Coast because of the focus on Louisiana. I heard that the MS. Coast is called the "invisible coast" and I now understand why.
Many people that left everything they had to escape the hurricane will not come back because there is nothing left. There were teams from churches all over the US there as volunteers to help restore homes that were salvageable and to rebuild homes that were completely destroyed. I learned a new term, "mud-out". This meant that many of the teams would be assigned to homes where they had to start digging 5 and 6 inches of mud out before anything else could be done. As a volunteer chaplain, I ministered to these homeowners who had to decide what was salvageable and what was not out of everything they owned. As the teams worked to "mud out", tear out sheet rock and don protective clothing, hats and respirators to protect them from the mold, I tried to comfort the homeowners. One day after one of the teams had taken a sledge hammer to a 100 year old grand piano and dug 6 inches of mud out of her house, I asked her how she was doing. I really expected the worst, but she said, "I'm doing better." I said, "I'm curious as as to why today is better than yesterday" and she said, "because I can see some progress". I saw a lot of devastation but I also saw new growth on beautiful old oaks stripped bare of their leaves. I saw jonquils peeping through the rubble of a yard and heard birds singing. I saw hope arise out of hopelessness because of one day's worth of hard work from a group of volunteers that had driven for 14 hours to spend a few days working tirelessly for others. There were many blessings given and many more received as we shared at the end of each day our experiences. Those of us who were there volunteering in whatever capacity were truly blessed to be a part of the restoration and revival of the Mississippi Coast.

All of this shows the big difference between south Mississippians and the folks in New Orleans. In Mississippi, it's self pride, help yourself, help each other. In New Orleans, it's "Who is going to give me something now?"

The trains running are absolutely great news. I was in Waveland at the beginning of November to gut my aunt’s house. We were planning on starting the rebuild this spring, primarily due to the lack of supplies. With the trains running again, maybe they can bring in the building supplies needed to start rebuilding at a reasonable price. What sheetrock could be found, in November, was double the price that you would pay in north Mississippi.

Most people that have been impacted by this storm were robbed by their insurance companies, many jobs were lost, and money is scarce. With these things in mind, I would suggest that some of the $80b dollars, that President Bush says is allocated to recovery, be used to insure that building materials are available at a reasonable price!

God bless all the volunteers that have helped so many people. The struggle would be so much greater without you.

Granny,Indiania....don't just visit south M.S. but the north of M.S. too....by your comments...i think all of MISSISSIPPI could be blessed by a lovely lady!

I just got back from visitng the coast after I found my two story brick home that was a block off the beach in Pass Christian completely destroyed after the storm nearly six months ago. With nothing but a slab left, we were lucky. We had somewhere to go, but I have missed my friends back home.

I am amazed and awestruck at the hard work that has gone on along the coast, but there is so much more to do that at this point, CSX is the least of my worries! At this time it is conforting to hear their insessant whistles; they are a reminder of normalcy, but I agree that these tracks need to be moved. They are a hazard to the community. Harrison County is the highest populated (or atleast it was before the storm) county in Mississippi. Why in the world would anyone want to continue to ship hazardous materials though such a populated area? Not to mention the fact that mortality rates at railroad crossings are the highest in Harrison County as well.

These are just a couple of very good reasons to include moving the tracks north in the comprehensive plan to rebuild. They are a nuisance to an otherwise quiet, peaceful and relaxing area. I can't wait to get back home and it sure would be nice not to have to hear a half dozen whistles every time one of those 35 huge freight trains go by every day! Gosh, that's 210 ear shattering, window shaking whistles in 24 hours!!!! Think about it!

Jo, from The Pass

P.S. Words can't thank people enough for all the help and support they have given to the Gulf Coast. You will never be forgotten! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

this tragedy has made many people from all over HONORARY MISSISSIPPIANS...ya'll come back...because your always welcome

Not all people in New Orleans are waiting for the government to help them. Many people have been working hard to restore their lives for months now. It is sad that New Orleans is being talked about negatively because of some bad seeds.

PLEASE READ: It is a shame that grown people will sit around and wait.... instead of getting up and deciding to do something meanful today to improve themselves. Should you want to improve your life and your neighbor's, you must have a plan in mine and go ahead and try it out and see the result. Should you fail rewrite the plan and try again. Whatever you have accomplish will encourage you try again and again. Whatever you build...you start from ideas of your own or adopt someone elses. Go out and to charge of your own destiny. Please act and your life will be changed forever! 0111,Houma, Louisiana (Sent Feb 16, 2006 12:20 AM)

I am a national guardsman from south Mississippi. I would like to commend all my fellow guardsmen, regardless of what state they hail from. We had so much wonderful help from around the country it would be impossible to thank them individually but I would like to send out one great big collective thank you to all volunteers who assisted my state in it's time of need. Also, special thanks to my MS guardsmen who, even though all had suffered some loss and many lost everything, still put their own situations aside to serve their fellow citizens. Keep the faith, South Mississippi, soon you'll be known as the "Pheonix" coast.

When in BSL last December, I was amazed at the progress the CSX folks were making toward getting the train bridge up and running. On the other hand, absolutely no progress seemed to have been made on the route 90 bridge that residents need to connect them to Pass Christian, their work and/or homes. I am thankful that the train bridge seems ready to go, as I know it is desperately needed to open up that transportation lane and move supplies. I am saddened, however, that our government is so far behind private industry. Last I read, the vehicl bridge had been bid out...any other progress there?

Despite what is being shown on national TV re New Orleans (Katrina), the vast majority of tax paying citizens are struggling mightly to restore their lives, homes, families and jobs. The majority are not waiting for a free handout. Trouble is, we do not make good evening news (we were not in the convention center or superdome - we followed instructions and evacuated) - we are just boring folks going about our everyday jobs and business and trying to keep a stiff upper lip while we are juggling our elderly parents and children that have been displaced, trying to balance our checkbooks despite the insurance companies that have refused to honor our flood and homeowners policies. We are not having fun. We have lost family members, our homes, possessions, friends, jobs and a way of life that most folks would envy.

paul...thank you for being there for us when you were needed.....man thats cool

The Gulfside Methodist Assembly has served as a gathering place since the late 1920's near Waveland,Ms. I grew up going to the beach there and learning about the power of God's grace through youth and family retreats. My grandfathers and grandmothers(from Kemper and Neshoba counties,MS) along with hundreds of African Americans from MS & TX raised money and hammers to build Gulfside and keep it going thru the years.

It has been a place where African Americans and European Americans have come together for good. I pray it will be rebuilt soon.
The people in Waveland were always nice to my family through our generations. I will join a work team from our church in Atlanta as soon as we are told to come help rebuild Gulfside (by the national Methodist Church leadership). This safe haven on the coast has brought people together and is an American historic site.

hey vern did you go to gulfport job corp

Jan - you will be happy to know that Gulfside is currently being used to house the C.A.R.E. group (living in tents and trailers). This group is awesome and is helping me rebuild my home. They are helping so many citizens get back in their homes so rest easy knowing that although there are no buildings remaining at Gulfside, it is still be used as a place where people are "coming together for good", as you stated!

I'm so happy to hear the trains again! we lived just north of the tracks in Pass Christian, and i just lived for the sounds of the train. I'm hopeful that the CSX tracks will go north of I-10, and the current CSX tracks will become a trolley line, from Bay St. Louis to Pascougoula. This way we can have a great way to avoid the traffic on 90, and this will contribute to the re-growth of the coast.

Why do some of yall want to more 90 North?? You have interstate 10 to the north. 90 is also out between Biloxi and Ocean Springs. I spend a week in Ocean Springs with C.O.R.E. and heard the trains run at night.

Driving toward the beach at twilight on Main Street we heard the train. Listening closely, we determined that we and the train were going in the same direction. Yeah...had to go all the way to that cavern at Beach Blvd. and stop the car and watch the most amazing post Katrina sight...a lit engineer's cab emerging from behind the old bank building and starting across the moon lit Bay on brand new tracks on a brand new train bridge. Standing there next to the "old town" Christmas tree still holding twinkling tinsel, listening to the train blow its whistle all the way across the Bay I cried. Hope shows itself in BSL every day in small ways - I just try to recognize them and appreciate them. Yeah "Da Train" is back, but remember "Da Beach House". Rejoice in progress. But let's remember to honor the old.

I live in a Fema trailer in Bay St. Louis. My home in Pass Christian was destroyed and while I wait for the insurance companies to come to their senses, I can tell you that train whistle at night is sure a beautiful sound. As a transplant from Southern California (I came out to fish) may I say that I never want to live anywhere other than Mississippi. The people are great and the food is outstanding. The fishing is pretty damn good too. My eyes were opened when I had a flat shortly after moving here. The first person to stop and ask if I needed help was a black man, the second person was a white man. So much for racial stereotypes. I have seen less racism here than in California.
I am amazed at how quickly we have been forgotten out there in the rest of the States. As I travel around the country it is obvious that we have been put on the back shelf. Speak out. Let your voices be heard. Write letters to your elected reps and raise hell.

gus man you said a mouthfull.........many of our state elected officials should be closely scrutionized....before we vote again...and i'm ready to raise hell....with my vote!!!!

Move the CSX tracks up-county if you must (and it would probably be a good idea, for the safety of those who have to cross the tracks. I have seen a train-vs-auto collision) but leave Hiway 90 on the edge of the beach...I always drive the beachfront highway instead of I-10 when I come home to Mississippi. Take the scenic route even with traffic delays, & savor the extra time you are allowed...it is a gift from God! I work on an island where all the beachfronts are hidden by "monster homes" - no $$, no view! Don't sell our state's beaches to the high-rollers!

I lived two blocks north of the tracks in Long Beach, just west of the Gulfport/Long Beach line. I can remember when we first moved into that house. It was about 2 months after the Biloxi River flooded in the 90's. My wife and I complained about the noise from the late nite trains for weeks. Then we got used to them. Then we came to expect them. There was one train that came through around 2-2:30am and when it would blow its whistle every cat in my house (5) would run & jump up on our bed like they were being chased wild dogs. Woke both of us up. Then we would all settle back to sleep on that huge king-size bed til morning. My whole family. Together. At home on the Coast. How's that for an impact of the railroad on one's family?
The same old hustle and bustle will be back soon enough. Take time now to remember who we are and where we come from. What's important and what isn't any big deal. When that 2am whistle blows be grateful all your family is around to hear it and pray for those that aren't.

i live less than half a mile from the track ...most mornings at about 5:03...i hear the train...roll over and think ...I CAN LAY HERE A LITTLE WHILE LONGER.....thats normal...i hope those sounds make others feel more normal also

I live in Colorado Springs Colorado. On Apr.1st I will leave my warm bed and wife for my second trip to the coast. I will work for 2 weeks as a volunteer in Biloxi helping people with clean up re-roofing houses and many other chores.This is where I will spend my vacations and money for the next couple of years. The coast needs as many helpers as they can get.Everyone should pitch in a help in any way they can. Don't send money to the Red Cross(very high overhead) send it to other donation sights. One being Lurtheran Disaster Response and the Bethel Lurtheran church of Biloxi Mississippi. Send donations to Bethel Lurtheran Church and mark for Katrina.Even better send them a gift card from Home Depot or Lowe's. I know for a fact that that every dollar will go for disaster recovery.Join me in Apr.and spend time on the once again sunny coast. I am not affiliated with the church or the LDR.I am however someone that cares and wants to help. Joe

Move the tracks?

The tracks were just about the only thing left, and they are now fixed. Move the highway? Asside from the bridges, it is fixed. What's Left? HMMMM the Houses!

You do not have to live right next to the railroad tracks, when you rebuild, you can select a piece of property that is further north, but not too far north or you will be on the other freeway.

Oooohhh, but now you are too far from your place of work...take a guess WHY the town is Built up where it is! THE RAILROAD!

The Railroad could be used to help build up the Dikes dams and seawalls that are desperately needed along the gulf coast. Houses cannot.

In conclusion, if you don't like the railroad, move to some place where it isn't. Lobby your local governement to get underpasses and verpasses funded to bypass the railroad. Given the present expansion of the railroads, it is highly likely they will not move or expand ANYTIME in the next 50 years in your immediate area!

Otherwise, Recognize the Golden Goose for what it is: Tax revenue, GOOD Jobs, and Affordable Comodities.

I volunteered to work in Pass Christian from Thanksgiving weekend to the end of January. It was interesting and refreshing to see many people take charge of their lives and do things for them selves. Income level did not seem to apply as I saw this all over the city. However It did disturb me to see people of great means patiently accepting handouts from faith based and government organizations. I understand that these people also lost belongings and had damage to their property. Also being a lifetime taxpayer should entitle them to some kind of relief. Howewver there does seem some inequity in the system when you are doing storm damage work for people who are living in million dollar homes and drawing 100K+ retirements.
I truly feel for the people of Pass Christian because it was kinda magical when the Super Happy Ice and then the Shell station reopened. This may not seem like much to people on the outside. Trust me when you are there 7 days a week 12 hours a day any stirrings of normalacy are like WOW things are improving even if it is a little bit at a time. When we talked to people that were in Camilia they explained to us that it took years for the area to recover and the devastation was not nearly as bad.
When people asked us if it looked as bad as a war zone we told them it was far worse than Iraq ever thought about being simply because there was nothing left. Almost everything was gone and what was left was severly damaged.
People should remember when they are bashing the organizations that are trying to help them that CSX with a single goal of restoring the railroad took almost 5 months just to repair what was left. Imagine how long it would have been if they were building anew.

Hi. I found this site because I was searching for
"trains hurricane Katrina" for a special (personal) project. I live in Long Beach, MS. The silence when the trains were out of commission was nice. They are VERY loud. But, where there is life and commerce there is noise. Pre-Katrina, I had the high school band practicing in a field near my home. Talk about NOISE!
Then, many people live close to I-10 or other busy streets--NOISE. The noise I missed most that has now returned is the Birds. For awhile, post-Katrina, I do not remember hearing a bird. That was eery. At night if you walk, the sounds of toads and crickets are even noiser than birds in the morning. Tolerance...sounds of living.

I had thought of researching a couple of areas:
1) Perceptual change in "South of the tracks/North of the tracks" post Katrina related to property value.
2) The same idea above further related to perception of safety.
3) Then I thought of researching the general effect of noise on property value.

I knew the trains were near me when I moved here. Yet, I moved here anyway. If the tracks are moved, I would be ecstatic, yet because I bought knowing they were here I will continue to tolerate them and try not to talk to ANYONE when the trains are passing.

It's a shame it took the storm of the century to let the world know Mississippi has changed from the segregated and racially torn war-zone it was 50 years ago to a State filled with average Americans of every race, religion, and background who have been delt a blow that rocked them to their foundations. I know the people of Mississippi will survive, rebuild, and grow stronger in time because I lived most of my life there. I'm glad to see stories in the news about southern hospitality, self-sacrifice, and helping those who need it so badly. Keep telling your stories so the world sees past the "Mississippi Burning" stereotype the South has been stuck with for so long. It's time Americans just get over race, accept each other's cultural differences, and learn to live together without prejudice. Mississippi is after all the "Hospitality State". I'm glad it's finally living up to it. And finally, I think the rest of the country needs to know what the average people who have been affected by Katrina need most right now. Let's not waste time waiting for the govt to fix things when they get around to it or the Red Cross to throw away the billions donated already on ice trucks to nowhere and trailers they won't let anyone use. Use blogs like this to inform the rest of America where we need to apply pressure on govt officials or grease the wheels of slow moving relief and aid. I say to the officials in charge, ENOUGH BS! Get it done or you're out!

My brother and I were traveling last week in Florida and drove through the Miss. coast ( Biloxi and New Orleans ) to take a look at the damage. My heart goes ou to the people of this area.It will take a long time to come back.I hope to be able to see this area once again after the area is rebuilt. Hang in there!