Please define what you mean by "near". To me, even 300 feet/1 football field is Not "Near". Hoffman had to be better than a Football Field away from the picket fence/railroad switch box. If you have ever been on a football field, looking from 1 goal line down to the other goal line is a long way to see/distinguish anything in detail. Even Pro Football QB's can Not throw a football from 1 goal line down to the other goal line. The distance is too great. Hoffman's story has too much detail vs the distance he was from the picket fence/railroad switch boxes.