Does anyone know what happended to Rickey Gates of Conrailwho caused the big Wreck in Chase, Marylan

[Anonymous]

CSX,
It sounds to me that you don't like 'change'. Perhaps you are stuck in the past with the memories, passion, and comraderie of the Brotherhood that was. I tend to fight change also but then ultimately acclimate my outlook and attitude towards it for the benifit of the whole.
I wonder if you would have a problem if I performed work on your vehicle- say a brake job- if I were under the influence of a controlled (or not) substance? Tell you what... drop your vehicle off with me right before you go on your Disney plane trip.
I commend Rick Gates for joining in on this forum, for admitting his fault, for accepting his responsibility, for being the catalyst for ruleG, for changing his life and not ending it, and being open to us about a very painful and tragic event. My Dad always told me to find the positive in each negative situation (I was a pretty bad kid and he is a Pastor so we had many talks) and I think Rick is doing that.
CSX- you need to let go and move on and I hope to GOD that we never unexpecte:)dly meet at a grade crossing :)

[Anonymous]

Mr. Gates,
I am very sorry if this forum has made you bring back bad memories I truly apolgize about this forum and don't pay attention to what csxenginner says again I'm sorry if this made you feel bad.

DOGGY[*^_^*][*^_^*][*^_^*][*^_^*][*^_^*][*^_^*][*^_^*][*^_^*][*^_^*][banghead][banghead][banghead]

[dharmon]

So CSX I get I get it too.... your pissed cause you can't get al &^%ed and go drive trains......

By the way...I am CSX shareholder......if you pop positive, I hope they fry you...from a purely financial perspective......a negligent homicide lawsuit is a lot more expensive than canning you hoss.

You see whiz quizzes are way of life for me, and so is not being drunk on duty.....last month I took a stripe from a dude who was drunk while on duty. Six months ago, I took one from a guy who stopped drinking eight hours before work.....drove in, and BAC'd .09. He's lucky I got him and not the cops or hurt someone.

You never did answer the question....if it's okay for trains how about planes, or semi's???

So yes, you are entitled to your opinion. However, when that opinion includes allegations, derogatory name calling and all that trash, you are also entitled to get it tossed back at you. And you don't have to read this either.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by csxengineer98

doggy or puppy or what ever your name is agin
i have the right to my oppion...you dont like what i have to say....then dont read my postings..simple as that...
the last time i looked the 1st ammendment was still in in the Constitution....but i guess it only applys anymore in here to the status quo...
and to make a one more point.....i am not alone in my feelings... a good friend of mine that is also an engineer for a major rail road feels the same way as i do...... and the 2 of us are not alone in our view of Billy " THE RAT" Gates...
rail roaders are divided on the issue..some say it was for the best...and some say he sold out to save his own ***....
bottom line.... yes he screwed up.....and i will give him this..he did claim responsibily for his actions.... but when it came down his *** going to jail for life... he rolled over on his brothers.....
this is how i feel...you dont like it...fine.... but you cant expect all the butt kissing of bill gates from people in this forum to be met without some resistance.....
csx engineer

1st of all I'm doggy not puppy also you have your right to free speech but I don't like your swear words you are saying on this Mr. Gates dosne't deserve to be treated like that. We've got it you dislike this man so lets give this a rest[B)][B)

[edblysard]

CSX,
We got it,
You think T&E employees should be allowed to report for duty stoned and drunk.
We got it.

You dont like Mr Gates,
We got it.

You belive your entitled to your opinion.
I agree, you are, and we have read it, several times.

You think he is a rat, even though he didnt name names...
We got that too!

What we dont have is the example where you screwed up, and were as up front about it as he has been.
Or are you perfect, and never screwed the pooch?

Wonder how many times you used the engineers favorite defense, "I was just doing what the conductor told me too" ?

[espeefoamer]

CSX, It took a lot of guts for Mr.Gates to come onto this forum and admit what he did. I think he could use a little compassion instead of being slammed.

[csxengineer98]

doggy or puppy or what ever your name is agin
i have the right to my oppion...you dont like what i have to say....then dont read my postings..simple as that...
the last time i looked the 1st ammendment was still in in the Constitution....but i guess it only applys anymore in here to the status quo...
and to make a one more point.....i am not alone in my feelings... a good friend of mine that is also an engineer for a major rail road feels the same way as i do...... and the 2 of us are not alone in our view of Billy " THE RAT" Gates...
rail roaders are divided on the issue..some say it was for the best...and some say he sold out to save his own ***....
bottom line.... yes he screwed up.....and i will give him this..he did claim responsibily for his actions.... but when it came down his *** going to jail for life... he rolled over on his brothers.....
this is how i feel...you dont like it...fine.... but you cant expect all the butt kissing of bill gates from people in this forum to be met without some resistance.....
csx engineer

[Anonymous]

Antoino
You bring up a good point about crew fatige I ride Amtrak frequntly and I wouldn't if the crew was always high and I hate flying because of crew fatige

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by csxengineer98

blaa blaa blaa...
hes still a rat

csx engineer

csxengineer[:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!]
You attatuede towards towards this nice man is UTTERLY PATHETOIC would you please stop with RAT BUSINESS he served his time and he steped foward and addimmied what he did. SO PLEASE STOP

DOGGY

[AntonioFP45]

Mr. Gates,
Regarding the ship:


For those that want to reasearch this, it happened during the spring of 1980 when I was in high school.

A large cargo ship called the Summit Venture was in stormy, foggy weather on Tampa Bay. The pilot, John Lero, not the Captain made a miscalculation and at low speed slammed into one of the support pylons that held up the span of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The decking over the water collapsed. A Greyhound bus and several cars plunged below. One car stopped just in time and was sitting right at the very edge of the section that remained. When I got home from school, it was on every channel.

If I remember correctly, John realized that a mistake had been made, but of course stopping or turning a ship suddenly is even more futile than stopping a train.

John went through trials, tribulations, hate mail, etc. His license was revoked. Last I read, he was an instructor for the maritime industry. He too speaks of his experience to help up and coming mariners.

CSX Engineer: I've read some of your other posts before and you always offer great info. I was a former union rep myself and was protective of my members but, while Rick was looking at serious time, don't you think that what he did had to be done? I don't think I could have remained quiet. Also, if I had known that train crews members were frequently high or "buzzed" I would have never stepped aboard any Amtrak train with my family, as I was a frequent rider in the 80s. And yes, we know that this happened in the airline industry also. You're absolutely right about crew fatigue, which is just as dangerous, but that point can't justify any union member or officer keeping quiet about drug/alcohol abuse! Not when human life is at stake! Think of it if the lives saved were that of your family members.


I was very fortunate to know Engineer Randall Hodges who often ran the Silver Meteor when I rode it. Solid, decent man that handled passenger trains smoothly and always did his job with a smile. He retired in 86. CSX's loss.

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by zardoz

There are two problems with urine testing.

1. You are being presumed guilty until you are proven innocent. (I think our Constitution had something to say about that)

2. The test has no bearing on whether a person is either currently under the influence, or toked weeks ago while on personal time.

I'm all in favor of a test that accurately shows current level of impairment; however, what a person does on their own time should be their own business.

And spare me the inevitable lecture about legality, because that is not the issue here.

I go through metal detectors, which in my mind is the same presumed guilty. I would pee in a bottle, gladly, if it would insure my safety at work. I am monitored constantly on closed-circuit tv when I shop. I don't feel my rights are less - I feel a little more secure (maybe foolishly). You can't have total freedom - that is why we have laws. If I was going to "do drugs" - I would do it in a job like mine - I push a pen and work on a puter. I don't handle anything much more electrical than a radio for music and don't drive anything except my point of view!

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by csxengineer98

blaa blaa blaa...
hes still a rat

csx engineer

If I remember correctly you became a CSX engineer in ummmm 98? ..... and this incident happened in ummm 87? or so...so your PERSONAL experience with this is...............??????? And your empirical evidence to support this allegation is...???

....I stand by what I said earlier.....you don't mind if I have a couple hits before I fly your family somewhere....off duty off course you know ....an hour or two before preflight....do you.......well....???

..........THEN GIVE IT A REST

[zardoz]

There are two problems with urine testing.

1. You are being presumed guilty until you are proven innocent. (I think our Constitution had something to say about that)

2. The test has no bearing on whether a person is either currently under the influence, or toked weeks ago while on personal time.

I'm all in favor of a test that accurately shows current level of impairment; however, what a person does on their own time should be their own business.

And spare me the inevitable lecture about legality, because that is not the issue here.

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by csxengineer98

blaa blaa blaa...
hes still a rat

csx engineer

The old engineer retired in 1981. This was long before this all happened. At that time, he said the railroad was becoming a scary place with all the drugs. They always had to deal with drinking, but now the drugs were becoming a real problem. So the change in the railroads came long before this accident happened. I don't think you are being very fair to blame all the railroad changes and problems on this particular person.

[csxengineer98]

blaa blaa blaa...
hes still a rat

csx engineer

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by daveklepper

I try to judge people on what they are and doing now. We are commanded by the Eternal to show forgiveness: "Vengence is mine, sayeth the Lord." Because Rick Gates is now a useful citizen who has repented for past errors and is doing really good things, I think we should welcome him back to the Human Race. At least that is my own personal opinion. Dave Klepper

I agree very much, Dave. [;)]

Rick is a member of our msn messenger chat group. And everyone enjoys him being in chat. I invited him and he came willingly and is a good person. Anyone wanting to talk with him in chat is welcome as long as they remain civil toward him and the others in chat.

[daveklepper]

I try to judge people on what they are and doing now. We are commanded by the Eternal to show forgiveness: "Vengence is mine, sayeth the Lord." Because Rick Gates is now a useful citizen who has repented for past errors and is doing really good things, I think we should welcome him back to the Human Race. At least that is my own personal opinion. Dave Klepper

[kenneo]

Rick - You are certainly welcome. It is - and has been - an honor to know you even though it is only via this Forum. As toyomantrains said, Keep on Keeping On. An old DS friend of mine would say "that the train ain't in until the marker's there. So, I don't see no red light on your ***. You can't quit until the back shop installs one. And they ain't agoin to."

God Bless

[Rick Gates]

Thank-you guys for the kind and hopeful words. It made me think about a Dr. that I was sent to shortly after the accident. He gave me a copy of a newspaper article of a Ship's Captain some years earlier that had incorrectly navigated his ship under a bridge in Fla. and caused some injuries and death as well as the damage(can't recall the details). The story told of the Captain's turmoil and that he went on to get his degree and was counseling and hepling others. At that time, I was considering suicide, though I did not tell the Dr. or others, and that article inspired a small glimmer of hope in me that I might get through this. The reason that I went into counseling and many other odd jobs, was in part, to put myself in the shoes and dreams of some of the victims of the crash. For instance, I had read that Christy Johnson (one of the victims) was inspired by her experiences to become an addiction counselor and give something back. Her young life was cut short and; with some similarities, I was motivated to do the same. I have learned that we can use our worst experiences to help others avoid and /or recover from theirs'. Negative thoughts and feelings may help us to vent though if we continue to dwell in them, they will only harm their owner. As I have stated before, I testified in front of the Congressional committie at the request of the victims and for the same reason, went on to do inteviews with the likes of TV's 20/20 and 48 hours (footage in the Discovery Channel program), even though it was in was aired and edited originally to liable me. The purpose ultimately was for public awareness of problem issues within the RR industry and society as a whole. I commend anyone who takes the responsibility and effort to make a difference in someone's life through awareness and mentoring as AntonioFP45 has. Toyomantrains has also, eloquettely phrased what we need to learn from our history and has shown that he remembers. When I worked on the RR I was Intimidated and annoyed with Railfans on several occasions because they seemed to know more statistical and sometimes technical details than I did. I had the attitude that they should "get a life." Now I am the railfan, and have been re-inspired by the knowledge and ideas of each and every one of you. Also, many of you are using this knowledge to get positve changes made, to address problems, and keep our heritage. Finally, Doggy, I'm sorry that I don't remember where the Heritage car was positioned on the Colonial that day, though I think there were probably passengers on every car as there were over 600 aboard already and 4 more stops to make before NYC. Thank-you all.

[Anonymous]

Not to re-open old wounds and memories for Ricky and the victims but this accident , footage, and narrative can be seen on "Runaway Trains 2" produced by the Discovery Channel and Unipix. BTW- his loco # was 5044. Thanks for sharing Ricky- I can only begin to imagine what you and many others went through on that sad day.History has shown that it takes devastating events like this to promote change.Keep on keeping on!

[Anonymous]

Antoino FP45 I agree with you with CSXENGINEER with ratting he's talking about I don't get and I will reread them also and I'm glad you talk about that kind of stuff it's good for kids

DOGGY

[AntonioFP45]

Hello Mr. Gates,

I'm skeptical, but I will assume that it is really you visiting these threads about the "Collision at Gunpow" as Reader's Digest called it.

I saw the national news flash about 1 hour after the collision. It was "heart breaking". I must admit that when the facts came out days later, I felt absolutely furious with you as I was a frequent Amtrak rider and in my rage I had hoped that you would be tortured. I also felt that at the same time, you must have felt horrified as well as you did not intend to kill or hurt anyone..

Today, as a tech-teacher, I talk to the kids a lot about drugs and the transportation industry. Every year since 1997, I've talked to new students about the Collision at Gunpow in detail. This school year, a 14 year old 9th grade boy in my class was bragging about and praising getting high on weed. After letting him talk, I went to the board, slowly drew the track layout , and told them the story. In describing the events, when I got to the part about the point of impact, I yelled out "BAM!" and made some kids jolt in their seats. I was surprised at how somber the class became for the remainder of the period. No one was laughing.

I stil have the reader's digest article, but I haven't looked at it since 1995 since I had memorized most of the article.

[tup]
I'm glad that you are doing someting positive and productive with your experiences.
If you are really Mr. Gates, then I hope that if you ever visit Florida, you'd be willing to speak to school students about your experiences, especially in Tampa. It's also impotant to point out the positive thing that you've been accomplishing also.

As for the "ratting" that CSXEngineer is talking about, I don't totally agree or more accurately understand all of his points though he makes them intelligently. I'm going to re-read his responses carefully as I did breeze through them since I was in a rush.

When I worked at a transit authority years back, I was a member of Almagamated Transit Union and was a Shop Steward until I left for a career change in 1997. We had similar issues as the railroad industry, however, I was one of the few union officials that supported drug testing. I pointed out to my union brothers and sisters that my mother and close friends rode transit buses frequently. I wanted drivers and maintenance personnel to be clear headed when working so the traveling public would be safe. We had a tumultuous relationship with our management, but in the ratified agreement, an employee testing positive for illegal substances would be suspended 90 days, required to attend a drug treatment program, and then allowed to return to full status and seniority upon successful completion.

[Anonymous]

AnttonioFP45 Thank You for your 2 cents owrth and those AMCAN'S ARE BOUNCY I LIKE THE HORIZON BETTER THAN THE AMCANS

[AntonioFP45]

Guys,

[8)]Not trying to throw in a monkey wrench, but those same type of "Heritage" cars ran in trains pulled by E7s and E8s in the 1950s. While not the norm, 90 to 100+ mph passenger train speeds could still be seen in the U.S.[^]

Back in the mid 1980s, I had the good fortune to hear from a former Atlantic Coast Line Railroad locomotive engineer who, on several occasions pushed "The Champion" to 110 mph" to make up time. Several retired CSX employees could cooberate this. I believe it was either in the Carolinas or North Florida where the high quality of the tracks could tolerate these speeds. The ride in the cars supposedly was smooth (so was the track work). [4:-)] In the northeast, GG1s pulled passenger trains at 100mph plus speeds between Washington and New York City.

I've ridden in Heritage Fleet cars as well as the "Amcans". The ride in the Amfleet cars, IMHO, is bouncier and at time "jolty". I assumed it was due to the cars light weight on rough track. I really enjoyed riding the old streamlined equipment which even on rough track seemed to ride decently.[;)]

On a trip from Florida to New York in the early 90s on the Amtrak Silver Meteor, my mom and I left our Amfleet coach, went and sat in the Heritage Fleet lounge car. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! After eating a snack, my mom didn't want to leave the car as she noticed that the riding qualities of the heavier car were much better than the Amcan.

[Anonymous]

Were their empty cars on the train and where was the Hertiage and what number was it.

DOGGY

[Anonymous]

Thank Rick for the Amfleet Info

[Anonymous]

Thank Rick for the Amfleet Info

[Rick Gates]

Doggy- Don't know the exact technical reason. I know it has to do with the older truck assembly design. Heritage cars pre-date all of the Amfleet and metroliner style cars.

[Anonymous]

What is the reason Hertiage Cars can't go 125 MPH like Amfleets because I know their was one on the Colonal

[Anonymous]

It's good to have you on the forums, Rick. As others have mentioned before, it takes a real man to admit to his mistakes and realise what he did wrong. We all make screw-ups, but the important thing is that we learn from them. People are more likely to listen to someone who knows first hand the dangers of drugs than someone who doesn't. There's now more awareness about this whole issue because of you and that's a good thing.