Roger H. Bennett wrote:
"David Hansen" wrote in message
news
Even if it was under full power the extra force that provided was
not enough to cause the damage. If it was then HSTs would be damaged
every time only the rear power car is working, which happens from
time to time. The forces the power cars produce are minor compared
to the forces involved in a crash.

Quite. The maximum tractive effort is about 8 tons, which I guess (I
don't have a power curve) would be only about a quarter of that at
100 mph. Compared to the momentum of its 70-ton weight at 100 mph,
plus that of the other carriages at the rear, the effect of any power
it could produce is negligible.

Roger

Power was cut, full emergency brake was in and the power car at the rear
provided much additional braking effort to the rear five coaches, which
did not pile up onto the front three. The driver did everything right,
call it self preservation, instinct, skill whatever, it is a testament
to his last act and the construction of the train that so many survived.