I am a Marylander, and recently took a trip on Amtrak to New York City. Riding over the Gunpwder River bridge brought back memories of the tragic Amtrak/Conrail accident in January of 1987. I did a little research on it when I returned because I never really knew the details. While researching, I was dumped onto a Trains.com forum from a couple of years ago in which the engineer of the Conrail train was participating. It was very interesting to hear what he had to say about his rehab and his life since that fateful day. Some people were doubting that the person writing in was actually him, but the sense I got was that it was him. He was so forthright and honest about everything from the accident to his time in prison to his rehab and what he is doing today. He too is a Marylander, so I have a special interest in the incident. I knew one of the many medics who rode out that day, and he never spoke about the accident. I also used to sail in a tiny day sailer and swim in those waters when I was a little girl years ago! I also might add that I had a very nice train ride to NYC on Amtrak without incident, and my firend and I had a blast in the big city.
I am wondering if Mr. Gates is still a registered member here and if he ever participates in forums anymore? I am also wondering if someone out here knows anything about the accident.
I am sensitive about this subject, and do not want to write anything that may be wrong, so I will let it go at this.
Those messages in the old forum were written by the real person. He has served his time, done his best to recover, and his writing suggests he’s tried to make amends. I don’t think he’s made the transition to the new forums- I haven’t seen him- but I do know that he scanned the forums regularly.
Ricky Gates still posts from time to time. I don’t know if he has on the new forum but I did spot a post from him sometime around the beginning of July.
You are so right Eric. I was very, very impressed with the way he spoke in those posts on the old forum, and how he blamed no one for anything and even accepted the unpleasant comments some made. He was a real stand-up guy in those forums, and I am glad to know he is hanging in there.
Linda, look for the Depot Diner thread, there are 4 yellow stars there out of 5. Click on the stars and you will see Rick Gates as one of the voters. Click on his name and you can see his profile, which has an address for him.
Got it Dale. Now tell me…should I just post a message to him, or email him? I do not want to intrude on his privacy. If I just posted here, he might see it and respond.
I would e-mail him. Or if you prefer make a post and e-mail him drawing his attention to it. If you do contact him tell him he is missed in here and we would like to hear from him more often.
Dale is the one that can pull an amazing amount of facts out of his… Well, Lets just say he is resourcefull…almost too resourcefull…In fact some of us are not entirely sure Dale is an actual person…We think he might be an artificial intelegence link…Of course he denies it when confronted…
The incident is still referred to as “The Collison and Gunpow”.
Though I felt anger about the incident when it occured, I do admire Rick Gates for posting like he did on the forum. I worked at a transit agency at the time, and not too long after the wreck; drug testing became mandatory for us. It was saddening to see that a number of bus drivers and mechanics couldn’t pass the tests.
Today as a high school industrial tech teacher, one of the first things we discuss is drug use on the workplace. Each year I ask my new students how they feel about smoking weed (marijuana) or using other drugs. It often saddens me that to most of them “it’s no big deal and nobody’s business”. Some of them get pretty cocky about it. I then say, “O.K” and tell the story of the Gunpow collision. I start with how the engineer of the Amtrak Colonial kissed his wife goodbye as he went off to work… etc.,.
As I end the story, I slowly hold up a large picture of that trainwreck. Amazingly the kids go quiet and a lots of mouths hang open. My comment to them is: "O.K…So tell me again how smoking weed is nobody’s business!"
I wish Mr. Gates could speak to our kids here in our school systems in Florida. I see too much "touch feely concerns from social workers and special interest groups …but don’t see enough of the old fashioned, “this garbage is not good for your body, mind, career, or sex drive!”.
Of course, the glorification of it in the tv, movie, and music media doesn’t help the situation much either.
But one thing that frustrates the situation is that a number of these parents today also indulge in getting high on weed and/or booze.
Gunpow made a big impact on our transportation industry. It seems to have been forgotten. Personally I wish more people would talk about it and use it as a very good reason why young people shouldn’t even fantasize about polluting their bodies with this stuff.
Good Morning AntonioFP45. Good job. I too had a lot of anger when the incident occurred, but 19 and 1/2 years has given a lot if us the opportunity to digest the whole thing and heal. I admire Mr. Gates and would like to have him post again. He was so up front and honest several years ago when he visited. i was very impressed.
Thanks for sharing your view, and keep talking to those kids until they are blue in the face!!
I have mixed emotions on how I feel personally about Mr. Gates and I am a bit amazed at his posting on such a forum under his real name and speaking about such things publicly. If his efforts are aimed at some sort of amends, I must give him credit.
Hi AntonioFP45…I am back. Gunpowder did make a huge impact on the industry, and aas I remember, Ricky Gates mentioned that on the forums a few years ago. I hope people have not forgotten, and from what I have seen out there, they have not. Keep talking to those young people until they understand.
Hi Jim. I understand mixed emotions, but from what I have read, it seems like he has come a long, long way. He was very forthright and honest in those talks and for that he deserves much credit. That takes guts. I wish he would post again.