VERY interesting, all, and I'm going to have to get that photo set from Tom K, if he's still printing it.
I think the table misalignment is the ticket and it wouldn't surprise me if both the hostler and table man (assuming hostler didn't move table himself) were disciplined heartily.
In one of the photos posted in connection with the sevearl 485 wreck threads you can readily see the angle imparted to the rear frame extension/cradle. By that point in NG operations, with their clear intention of shutting the entire thing down at the first possible opportunity, 485 was doomed. Sad, but fun reading she lives in 489 today.
John Bush
Omaha