[Vermont Lt]

My guess is that the engineer/driver had a heart attack or was otherwise dead.

[ReformedBeckite]

Wasn’t it the movie Silver Streak where a tool box is put on the gas pedal, and eventually the train wreaks.

[outpostinmass2]

My guess is that the engineer/driver had a heart attack or was otherwise dead.

Who held the dead-man switch?

[PapaBear3625]

My guess is that the engineer/driver had a heart attack or was otherwise dead.

Which is why NYC subway trains have "dead man" switches. Release the control (like if you're having a heart attack) and the train stops. I would think the PATH train would also have it.