Here is a photo of a switch and you will see that it will take a train from the main to the siding in one direction only. The UP train was, for this photo, was moving from the bottom toward the top with the commute moving from the top of the photo to the bottom. As you can see the commute could easily pass over the switch regardless of which way it is lined.
![Photobucket](http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa318/engrpat/850.jpg)
Switches, out of necessity are easily moved from one position to another it isn't like the commute would have derailed by going through it. A engineer can run through a misaligned switch and not even know it.
Thank you. You answered one of my questions.
“A engineer can run through a misaligned switch and not even know it.”
Assuming this view is of the entry point for the North bound train (top being North in this example) to the siding, did the wreck occur before the switch, or after?