With over 35 years of railroad experience I'd say the tie plate theory has merit. We'll all find out the true cause later but it is common for several locomotives and cars to get over a stretch of track only to have a car derail in the middle of the train. Take a look at a broken rail that's been battered by wheels long before derailing a car. Another thing to consider is that locomotive pilots are 6 inches above the rail thus allowing many plates to stay above the rail as following wheels knocked them around.

Of much more interest is today's head-on collision in Vienna, Austria of two crowded passenger trains. News reports indicate a "false proceed" signal to be the cause. An all too common occurrence in the U.S. that is rarely reported. (Railroads are required to report all false clears to the FRA but I've seen cover-ups.)

I still enjoy reading and posting on this forum but the vitriol and politics can get in the way of railroad discussion.