The engineer controls the train with a throttle in his left hand (pull back to go faster) it has detents that are in 10 mph increments. On the right is the brake lever, it too has detents with full rear is maximum emergency braking.
So it is possible that a strike to the windshield could cause the engineer rotate away towards the rear pulling the throttle to the rear, thus the increase in speed.
89 posted on 05/18/2015 6:39:47 AM PDT by Robe
(Rome did not create a great empire by talking, they did it by killing all those who opposed them)