>Next time you meet up with that RFE (John Herndon?) why don't you stick your nose up his ass again and ask him how much influence he has on decisions made at Ft. Worthless?

John Herndon retired about 4-5 years ago. At the time of the story I related, he was based in Fresno. He was the last "old-style", knowlegeable RFE they had. I forget the guy's name out of Richmond, although he was one of those 90-day wonders from a diploma mill.

>No grade between Pt. Chicago and Collier?

The grades between Maltby and Collier extend for about 10 miles and don't exceed 1%, at least accoding to the Santa Fe's data. Santa Margarita - SLO range between 1.5 and 2.2% for about the same distance (SP's data), with a lot more tight curves. 1% is nothing when it comes to grades.

It never ceases to amaze me how you armchair heroes second-guess those who were actually there, on scene and relate first-person accounts. Buncha wannabes.