It’s rollin’ down the tracks………The main interruption to our peace and tranquility in Tupelo is the frequent sound of train whistles. I read online that there are between 20 and 25 trains daily traveling through Tupelo. The city needs approx 19 more intersections outfitted with safety crossing arms to cut down on noise. As it stands, the trains must blow their whistles or horns or whatever you call them, all the way through town as most intersections only have the flashing lights to warn traffic.
Honestly, the train whistle is not that unpleasant a sound, it has just become a background noise, much like the mockingbirds and other creatures that provide those signs of life so you don’t forget you are not the only living thing on the planet. Of course with that many trains, you are sure to get stopped at a crossing!
This intersection is where we get stopped occasionally just a few blocks from home. Some of the trains are very long too. I counted 75 one day before I nodded off and that particular train was all coal cars. Others are a mix of rail cars carrying who knows what but I sure wonder what all they are moving! Do you think these mandatory traffic stops are all part of the conspiracy to get us all to slow down? well, it does work for a short while. And I always hear that old Johnny Cash song in my head, so on the plus side, free entertainment all the way around!