Speed of the two trains were estimated at 15 and 18 mph...closing speed of 33 mph.. plenty to do considerable damage. Knocked off steam pipes etc made it very bad,no doubt. Neither saw the other until just a few tens of feet remained before impact. No time to stop or even slow down much. Poor guys on the 169 didn't have a chance.
Not sure how the train order No. 24 could have been worded a bit different to avoid being miss-read by the crew of 411, and Opr Lively at Cumbres didn't catch it either.
Bad deal all around.