I had always been curious of what Sand Patch Grade was like between the east end of Falls Cut Tunnel and Fairhope, PA. On Aug. 1, 1981, I decided to find out and hiked it. About midway down there was a nice rock outcropping on which to wait for a westbound. Fortunately, I didn't have to wait long. "Johnstown 97" was working hard upgrade, led by B&O GP40 No. 3713.