Laurel, Mississippi Trains? - Trains Magazine

It seems I've had a change of heart about this coming weekend (May 9-10) and hope to go to Laurel, MS instead of Pine Junction. I realize there are not a lot of trains like Pine Junction. What changed my mind is I got word they are supposed to be tearing down a place in Birmingham, AL I've been wanting to hit (urban exploration). I figure I better hit it before it's too late if it's not already?

I plan on leaving Thursday after work from North Carolina and stopping in Austell, GA for the night. Friday will likely be spent in Birmingham all day, at least I hope I can get it done in a day? Saturday will be Laurel and Hattiesburg, MS. Sunday and Monday will be the return trip home and I'll be freestyling with no special places in mind, just whatever I stumble accross? I don't know if I'll come home via Tennessee or follow the NS Crescent route back home?

I have the following NS scanner frequencies if anyone can verify them for me please? 160.245 and 160.950 for Austell, GA. 160.950 and 161.535 for Laurel and Hattiesburg, MS? The trip down will basically be following the NS Crescent route to Mississippi. If anyone has any info on shortlines along that route I would love to know about them? It will be roster shots for them since I doubt they work on the weekends.

I'm open to any and all suggestions for photo ops in the Laurel and Hattiesburg areas as far as trains? Lastly, catching a Ferromex locomotive has been at the top of my railfanning bucket list for years. I realize the odds are slim to none to catch one on my trip, but if you had to pick a spot that had the best chance to see one I would love to know? I had planned to hit the Meridian speedway but someone told me there are less than five trains in the daylight hours now on that route so I scratched that... unless there is a chance for a Ferromex? 

Thanks to all who took the time to read this and any help is welcome and greatly appreciated! :)

Jay