The momentum of the loaded rake must have been enormous. Any idea what speed the train was doing when this derailment happened? Have they figured out the cause yet?

Awful. Did the poor loco pilot and his assistant survive? I hope they did.

In addition to over 3 hours taken to rescue the Motorman I wonder how many more hours The Thane Muncipal corporation needs to turn off the water mains !

Hmm. You seem to be right, Gowri sir.

My doubt is... if the slab has fallen before the train could pass, it would have snapped the OHE and the power would have been cutoff. The motorman would have sensed something wrong. I believe that the slab fell just a few fraction of seconds before the train could cross the spot.

Yes, the train went and hit the slab which had already fallen. But articles in papers mention that the train, which was travelling at 40 kph could not stop short of the slab! I find this very surprising considering the powerful braking of MRVC rakes.

Very true Binai, Even I am also concluding this only.. DNA mentions that Mman upon seeing a slab lying on the tracks, slammed on the brakes.. Going by that, our conclusion matches.

It somehow looks that the train went and hit the slab, which might have fallen down just prior to the train reaching there. Perhaps, this caused the pipe-bridge to come down.

Correction: this is not luggage compartment but general compartment.

interesting picture!!