[Conscience of a Conservative]

Here's one alternative to the suicidal-engineer theory:

Callanan has a theory as to what may have caused the derailment. He says that particular curve is a known trouble spot for kids throwing bricks and rocks at the train.

“I believe it is possible something was thrown at the train, broke the window and knocked out the engineer. He could have slumped forward on the throttle and accelerated the train," said Callanan.

(source)

Would certainly be consistent with the other train getting hit with a projectile....

[smokingfrog]

The windshield was cracked but still intact after the crash.

[NetAddicted]

I didn’t understand that the first time I read it. Since he doesn’t remember....