> The only thing is that it only reduces my 5 line <COL> node into  
> three xsl:call-template items instead of just one (because of the  
> parameter). 

Yes, that's a drawback with the xsl:call-template mechanism. 

One workaround is to use apply-templates with a mode. Instead of

<xsl:call-template name="NNN">
  <xsl:with-param name="node" select="x"/>
</xsl:call-template>

<xsl:template name="NNN">
  <xsl:with-param name="node"/>

write

<xsl:apply-templates select="x" mode="MMM"/>

<xsl:template match="*" mode="MMM">

I'm sure this was suggested way back when in this thread...

Michael Kay
http://www.saxonica.com/