The forces present during an impact depend on the impact velocity, the weight of the impacting object, and how hard the surface is.

In this accident, the impact velocity was the train speed, the relevant weights are the weight of the train and the struck vehicle, and the front of the train defines the hardness.

This accident was severe enough that the impacting locomotive was subjected to crushing, indicating an impact force of about 1,000,000 pounds.

Typical truck casks for transporting radioactive material experience impact forces of about 3,000,000 pounds during the regulatory impact test.

The concern about this type of accident is important enough that Sandia National Laboratories performed severe train accident tests carrying Type B packages.(click on "What are example of severe testing?" in the left banner)