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

[Allen Jenkins]

Rick, This is foots,
Thanks for the quick comback, the info I was into was either public tele, or a doc,(sixty min, or such). The factors of the incident not withstanding, thanks for the comeback. However, you see, someone was paying attention. Later on tonight, go to Planet Auran, www.Auran.com they've made the best of a Christmas with no money for me , after all, Christmas is not about the kids, it's about a baby. I figure, since you still pay attention to the Worlds Greatest Hobby, you might observe something to use, maybe contribute, and believe, you have something to add. Remember to see "The Passion." We done that, to Him, and He still loves us!..........Enjoy..........Acj.;-)

[Rick Gates]

Sorry Allen...I'm not certain of the language/dialect however; I have never done lectures that I recieved any remuneration for. I have never been any kind of "poster boy" for the "drug war," and was not working quick turns nor was I divorced at the time of the accident. I do take responsibility for my actions/inactions. I can't take responsibility for everyone elses. Thanks for your prayers and God bless you.

[Allen Jenkins]

So..... what? Theeeeeeeeeee Ric Gates? wwaht? But///////amd-and so...............&Yes. boy, did you change lives,,,,,,,,,,and so. Oh, oh, i heard you became spokesman, sort of poster boy, for the drug war! Great. All I had in this world, is Mr. Kalmbach, and his personal interests to get me through the tension of the trouble which befell the entire transportation industry. So I'm explaining the circumstances that brought about the one hour of orientation to the factor of the render of an sample of my presents upon my job. Thank you for the rapoire in the office to the such of aim. The out come is that the dea needed an excuse for tax substantiation to the event that four thousand crashies ocurred on the highway involving fatalities, and it was al blamed on substance abuse. Great! I agree that the users need a little help, so are you finding the solution? Or just a part of the problem? I've heard that you attracted $50,000 per visit to the lectures you generated. Great. We should have known that a divorce, long hours+the next crew out should have took it's toll, but you accepted full responsibility for the accident that changed the reality of even the rescuers. It was my understanding that you were challenged to the event which occured. Not to say locking three B-36's down helped. Bad choices prevailed. But the event of sleepwalking, and assuming responsilility for the such, is a cut above. The jar-lid bulls-eye aside, Conrail Engineer Rick Gates, I want you to know I've been praying for you, God Loves You!, and I forgive you though we went through a catastrophic event together, thanks for showing up tonight, just work your butt off, whatch Dr. Phill, from time to time, (set your VCR), and good Luck! Remember, I care!...........I became a tree man! Enjoy Your Hobby!ACJ.

[CShaveRR]

My, you never know whom you'll get to talk to on these forums!

As someone who's never smoked or done anything illicit, I can only shake my head at the incident. But as a railroader who has caused a bad accident (I got fired, but also got back after 60 days), I know a few things that must have been going through your mind in the days following the disaster. Prescription drugs may have contributed to my inattention, so I guess I'm thankful that my accident was before yours.

I'm glad, though, that railroads and railroaders have awakened to the fact that there are problems, and you have to be given a lot of credit for that. I know how bad things had been. And even though the random tests never got the "harvest" that was expected, I have no doubt that things are cleaner because of them.

To the folks that doubted it: Rule G has been around for a very long time. However, it only pertained to alcoholic beverages until the incident. After that, it eventually was broadened to include narcotics and other drugs. I don't begrudge the company a cupful now and then for a random test, or even a probable-cause incident, because I fully expect not to run afoul of what used to be Rule G (the GCOR number isn't as easy to remember). And I really think that there's less of a chance that anyone I'm working with nowadays is being influenced by alcohol or drugs, though I do know of people who have still slipped through the net (only to get fired for other things).

Again, welcome, and good luck!

Carl

(Whew...I think I deserve a star for this one!)

[kenneo]

CSX

Each of us has an opinion on this subject. And we know yours. And we now know some of the others here on the Forum, also.

I understand your being upset about this. I remember vividly seing the wire come over my teletye that day about this event. I felt a wave of fear and panic knowing just how close some had come to being dead, how their families would be having to deal with it and just how close I had come several times to being the victim. Having to clean the brain tissue from my hair and clothes of a best friend because Charlie had just punched a 30 cal hole in his head, then having to cure the headache that same slug caused me when it hit me (head wound). I remember having to call on soldiers families to inform them that their son or husband was dead.

All they could do was to cope with the present and the future. They - and you, too, can not change the past.

Rick killed one of his friends that day. He killed 12 others, also. Please, until you can walk the mile Rick has had to walk, and do it in his shoes, please ease up on the rhetoric. Believe me, we know how upset your are. But the time has come for healing. You do not have to forgive - or forget. But you do have to heal, both for yourself and for all of the others.

God Bless

Inserting Sock - again. (This thing is beginning to need to see the wash.)

[csxengineer98]

doggy....
like i said...no more brotherhood....
and my point about bill is that he was looking down the barrowl of a loaded gun...and to save his ***.... finked on eveyone.... that is my point.... the brotherhood in this job is gone......
you hear about bill...he was the one runngin..what about the rest of his crew.....what about them.... where where that at.... if they where doing thier jobs also..billy would have never gotten past that block.... if i remember correctly....their is a thing called joint responsibilty on the rail road.... when 1 man on your crew messes up...you all take the fall....
where where they at the congretional hearings.... you dont hear about them saying that all thier coworkers where drunk or stoned... only rick....

[dharmon]

So CSX,

You don't mind if I have a drink or two or maybe a little hit on the crack pipe before I fly your family to Disney this summer do you?

[edblysard]

So CSX,
Correct me if I mis read you, but you still want to get stoned and run a locomotive?
Like getting *faced, and driving around town on a saturday night?
You want the people around you the be wasted?
Like, maybe being stoned all the time dosnt contribute to crew fatigue?

Well, if thats what you want, and thats you opinion, your welcome to it.

Just one favor though....
Dont include me in you statement when you use the term "brother".

All of my "brothers" show up for work clean and sober, not wasted and drunk.
Have done so for years, because we understand that running a locomotive when your stoned, or working around a railroad when your drunk is stupid and deadly.

As for "taking care of ourselves", you were apparently doing a pretty crappy job of it.
After all, no one seemd to be "taking care" of Mr Gates, were they?

By the way, I am one of those "rats" you refer to.
Show up on my crew drunk or stoned, and I will turn you in to the trainmaster, in a heartbeat.
I wont trust my life, or any member of my crew's life to someone who is stoned.

What you do off property, in private, on your time, is your business.
What you do when your on property, working around and with me, is mine.

Ed

[csxengineer98]

i stand corrected on Rule G....
csxengineer

[Saxman]

CSXengineer: Rule G did not arrive in the rule books during Ronald Regans 8 years in office or as the result of the collision at Gunpow. Mandatory drug testing and engineer certification were the results of this incident. Rule G had been a part of the railroad fabric for many years before this.

You do bring up a valid point regarding crew fatique however. This is a serious problem that both management and the union refuse to deal with. Management does not want to hire (people cost money and cut profits) and on the union side: less trime on the road or in the yard means less per week in the pay check. Neither side can have it both ways. Management: Just enough crews and Union: Work as much as I want and be off when I want. Unfortunately, this will only change when a catastrophic incident like Gunpow happens. Then we will have government intervention and what is pushed on us will not be good.

[Anonymous]

Ricky I'm glad you steped up and you have the guts to do so.

[csxengineer98]

oh yea..another thought....
its funny how Rule G came about while RR was in the white house... he stared the loseing war on drugs...and destroyed the power of the unions...all in 8 years of office...
thanks republicans

[csxengineer98]

doggy,
you can be annoyed all you like, i also have the right to speek how i feel about issues here, as for bringing up bad memories.... you dont think that all eveyone that is playing 20 questions with bill isnt bringing up some of them.... ill be up frount with eveyone here....i use smoke weed.... and i loved it.... had to give it up becouse of RULE G...
and to the person that made the comment wanting me to show how he "rated out" his fellow brothers.... your right..he didnt give "names" ..but when he did his testimony in the government hearings that followed..... he rated out eveyone by like i said befor....if you cared to read my posting in its fullness.....when his testimony in a nutshell....said "all railroaders are drunk or on drugs" ....
its funny that people want to make an issue over the drugs...when we brothers have died and are still dieing becouse of crew fateage....crews being forced to work with little or no sleep..... look at now many of my fellow brothers have lost thier lives becouse of head ons due to one of the crews falling asleep becouse the rail roads wouldnt let them mark off becouse they where overworked.....you dont see any any goverment hearings on this....you dont see any major media reports on this.... i think its funny that people just want to pick up 1 issue and run with it.... when thier are so many others out their....
its funny that for a100 years of railroading befor billy .....issues have happend... and eveone took care of one another.... now bill runs a red blook..and wrecks... and rats out eveyone.....he chaned the rail road alright...not for the better.....he detroyed the feeling of brotherhood... the job was fun.... people couldnt waite to go to work..now 20 years later... the rail road as an industry....SUCKS....its a job....no more fun....
csxengineer

[Anonymous]

I never really follow the news, so I don't know the details, but this guy came out and said he did wrong, was sorry, had served his time, and was out there doing something with his life. I think we should be giving him a standing ovation andwelcoming him to the forum as an experianced formr rail employee, and a current railfan.

Welcome to the forums Rick.

[Rick Gates]

No...was not watching TV. Yes alerter whistle was taped. I did not do it. The lead eng. 5044 had been the rear of the consist when it arrived at Bayview yard that am. It was most likely taped by whomever was riding it on that trip as not to be disturbed by it. I am responsible for not taking off the tape that may have alerted me almost a mile in advance that I had a Stop signal instead of the expected Limited clear signal. The Girl's name was Ceres Horn. She was 16 years old and returning to Princeton U with the dream of becoming an astronaut. Many factors can be taken in hindsight however; I would not put any blame on my friend Jerry for his actions on the Colonial. The anchor of all responsibility is mine. Hindsight is 20/20 but by running the switch and keeping on moving the accident would have probably occurred on the Gunpowder River bridge....Lesser of 2 eveils I suppose.

[Rick Gates]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Overmod

At the risk of bringing up unpleasant memories, a few questions about Gunpow:

1. Was there, in fact, a portable TV on board, turned up loud to hear the playoff game?

2. Was the tape on the train-control air whistle, which made it 'quieter', responsible for someone's not hearing the audible alert while not watching outside... with (1) going on to distract both the ears and the eyes for just a critical moment

3. I think I have some 'standing' in this matter, having been riding in the second car of the Amtrak train (talking, in fact, to a young Princeton girl I think was Celia Horn) and having gone back to the cafe for a Coke. And, I might add, cursing a bit because the cafe in the front was closed...

To be honest, I don't 'blame' you more than, say, the people who thought they'd save some bucks by taking a 3-track high-speed main down to two tracks, or removing the positive-stop features from automatic train control on 65mph locomotives in a 135mph corridor. We were going "much too fast" for a consist with Heritage cars -- do we blame our engineer for that?

And it wasn't like you, or someone else in that cab, didn't try to get the train stopped by calling on the radio.

I suppose I'll always wonder a bit whether opening the throttle and splitting the switch might have worked out better than jamming the main with locked brakes. Guess it just wasn't God's will. At any rate, you seem to have come out OK, and I wish you well.

[Overmod]

At the risk of bringing up unpleasant memories, a few questions about Gunpow:

1. Was there, in fact, a portable TV on board, turned up loud to hear the playoff game?

2. Was the tape on the train-control air whistle, which made it 'quieter', responsible for someone's not hearing the audible alert while not watching outside... with (1) going on to distract both the ears and the eyes for just a critical moment

3. I think I have some 'standing' in this matter, having been riding in the second car of the Amtrak train (talking, in fact, to a young Princeton girl I think was Celia Horn) and having gone back to the cafe for a Coke. And, I might add, cursing a bit because the cafe in the front was closed...

To be honest, I don't 'blame' you more than, say, the people who thought they'd save some bucks by taking a 3-track high-speed main down to two tracks, or removing the positive-stop features from automatic train control on 65mph locomotives in a 135mph corridor. We were going "much too fast" for a consist with Heritage cars -- do we blame our engineer for that?

And it wasn't like you, or someone else in that cab, didn't try to get the train stopped by calling on the radio.

I suppose I'll always wonder a bit whether opening the throttle and splitting the switch might have worked out better than jamming the main with locked brakes. Guess it just wasn't God's will. At any rate, you seem to have come out OK, and I wish you well.

[Anonymous]

Hey all,

I've been doing a lot of reading and listening as a conductor "cub" and I must say that if it didn't happen to Mr. Gates, it would have happened to someone else. The railroad was a big party and drugs and drinking were a common thing. Every instructor in my school and even on company property have told me that the railroad has changed big time, but they lived during the time when the use of drugs and alcohol was commonplace and even expected in some places. If you refused to join the crew in their taking in of drugs you would be black balled by the other guys. Drugs was a part of the railroad lifestyle and I had one instructor put it like this: we basically had a designated driver on our crew while everyone else got high.

[Rick Gates]

Thanks for the encouraging words guys. My feeling is we must not forget the past lest we repeat it. As for proving who I am...I know. Engines #'s are public record. Everyone is entitled to believe what suits them. I am glad that CSX is so impassioned. Makes for a great Railroader! As for me, I'm glad I didn't have to serve all that time. And as for coming forward, as I said I love railroading and like to keep up with some news of it. Keeping my mistakes forefront may give thought to keeping it safe out there. And thanks Doggy. A split second changes everything.

[edblysard]

CSX,
The guy fessed up, was sentenced, did his time, was most likley released under strict supervision, did that too.
Did the "crime", then did the time.
If his testimony bugs you, name exactly who he ratted out.
And if they were working stoned, then he did you, me and just about every railroader out there a favor.
Things changed, rule G showed up.
Leave off on it, why dont you?
Ed

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by csxengineer98

Rick
you said so yourself you where looking at over 100 years in jail for you screwup.... but you only did 5...sounds like to me you droped the dime on your fellow brothers...aka RAT..... i remember your "congrestional hearing" testimony.... it was in a nutshell.... "all rail roaders are drunk or on drugs".... and as for the UTU beging behind you..figers...they sold out the flagmen, brakeman,fireman all for a few bucks for a conductor..and now they are trying to sell out the engineer for a RC box..... just think..if you would have done this about a year ago..you could be sharing a cell with your UTU buddy Boyd and his clownes....and all of you could have had lots of time to talk about how you all can screw the BLE and your fellow rail road borthers while your on activeity hour.....
in my book...you are and always will be a RAT.... i know i am going to take alot of flack from people on here for my statement..but i dont care... i have just as much right to my comments as the rest of you...
csxengineer

csxengineer98
I am annoyed about your tra***alk and please stop saying rude things about this poor guy. Mr. Gates had the guts to write up and I'm sure your making him look back at unwated memories
Doggy

[kenneo]

Is this the real Ricky Gates, Conrail engine driver?

Yes, folks, it is.

Rick, there are some that will say that you should have served the full 100. I can't say just what good that would have done, but you know full well the reactions people have when things as terrible as that accident do happen.

Would your having served all that time resulted in the necessary changes to the industry? I doubt it. Your testimony helped even though some are really upset about that.

I'm glad you're "rehabed". Greetings and Welcome.

[Anonymous]

Whether this guy is the real RG is possibly moot for it points up something. First that bringing the topic up by anyone reminds that there is good in everything and that in this case it is that we railroaders woke up and smelled our coffee. Where things might have been different 20 years ago; neither myself nor anyone I work with would even think of working in less than perfectly sober condition. And also that if he is the real RG, he is penitent and that means everything. We mourn the losses but celebrate the lesson and must never fail to do so.

[csxengineer98]

Rick
you said so yourself you where looking at over 100 years in jail for you screwup.... but you only did 5...sounds like to me you droped the dime on your fellow brothers...aka RAT..... i remember your "congrestional hearing" testimony.... it was in a nutshell.... "all rail roaders are drunk or on drugs".... and as for the UTU beging behind you..figers...they sold out the flagmen, brakeman,fireman all for a few bucks for a conductor..and now they are trying to sell out the engineer for a RC box..... just think..if you would have done this about a year ago..you could be sharing a cell with your UTU buddy Boyd and his clownes....and all of you could have had lots of time to talk about how you all can screw the BLE and your fellow rail road borthers while your on activeity hour.....
in my book...you are and always will be a RAT.... i know i am going to take alot of flack from people on here for my statement..but i dont care... i have just as much right to my comments as the rest of you...
csxengineer

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bnsfkline

This is the question to this so called Rick Gates......What was the number of the locomotive you destroyed?

I WAS NOT BORN YET. I WILL GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT ONE

[bnsfkline]

This is the question to this so called Rick Gates......What was the number of the locomotive you destroyed?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Rick Gates

If I was a "Rat," having been in prison for so long, it is doubtful I would have survived. Here I am. You are misinformed by rumor. I did give very general anecdotes of the nature of the drug/alcohol problem only from my own personal experiences, when I testified in front of a congressional committee however; I gave no names or traceable references to inividuals. The goal was to promote safety thereby, preventing further events or accidents as my own. Please learn from my mistake. I can't blame anyone for their anger and I accept responsibilty for my part. I will not however; spread any blame and "Rat" on anyone. I had the support of the UTU through the whole event.

I'm glad to see your sober

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Rick Gates

I'm alive and well. TY...I think. Excuse me for being a bit leary of this subject or opinions of it. I screwed up big time. There is enough blame to go around though and drugs/drinking will be a problem in any industry. I faced a total of 100 years in prison with the state of MD and Feds. I wound up doing a little over 4 years in total. I worked as a drug/alcoholism counselor for about 5 years after my release. I presently work as an Operating Engineer running heavy equipment. I miss RR and still love trains.

Rick,
I'm happy to see that you are alochal free.and I'm Very sorry if I made you fell bad and I didn't know you saw this
DOGGY[B)][B)][B)][B)][B)][B)]

[eolafan]

If you are the real Rick Gates, if I were you I would not correspond openly to the general public like this...you never know who might be "listening" in and what you might slip and say. Be careful fella

[Anonymous]

Rick

It takes a real man to admit he was wrong. I applaude you for coming forward. I am sorry for the harm done that fateful day. If what you did will help others NOT TO FOLLOW in your footsteps that is good. We cannot change the past, but we can alter the future by doing what is right and not making the same errors over again.

Everyone one of us has probally screwed up in the past at one time or another. Our actions may or may not have affected other people. So we can hide what we messed up. Your actions made the national news, kinda hard to hide that.

We cannot change the past. WE must keep from repeating the past when it adversely affects other people. It would have been much better NOT to have had an accident, that cannot be changed. So now we must try to stop other accidents from happening. Hopefully the knowledge gained from your accident will stop others from happening. Hopefully people have changed and your "ex" problem won't be a problem in another accident. Let's all hope and pray this is true.

Welcome to the forums. [:)]

Glad to have you. [;)]