The Brazo Sub (Ignacio to Lombard)gets flooded every year between Schellville and Wingo. On bad years it gets completely washed out. A lot of the rail is left over from the SP days when SP took old mainline CWR and recycled it to the branch lines. The roadbed and underlying sub structure cannot handle the weight of "big power". The curves cannot handle 6-axle locomotives. SMART has never touch this part of the lines except for a few switches. It's all class-II and lower track. The mainline where SMART runs is just as good if not better than any Transcon line. That part can handle almost anything within reason. As for Jake he is a arrogant piece of work and has been since I've known him. I could care less what you think "ron". You seem to know nothing. Probably just another armchair photag, keyboard warrior in the basement.