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.
Does anyone know what happended to Rickey Gates of Conrailwho caused the big Wreck in Chase, Marylan
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.
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What is the reason Hertiage Cars can’t go 125 MPH like Amfleets because I know their was one on the Colonal
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.
Thank Rick for the Amfleet Info
Thank Rick for the Amfleet Info
Were their empty cars on the train and where was the Hertiage and what number was it.
DOGGY
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.
AnttonioFP45 Thank You for your 2 cents owrth and those AMCAN’S ARE BOUNCY I LIKE THE HORIZON BETTER THAN THE AMCANS
That was a hard, heartbreaking day.
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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
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!
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 se
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
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
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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.
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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.
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There are two problems with urine testing.
-
You are being presumed guilty until you are proven innocent. (I think our Constitution had something to say about that)
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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.
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
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