I think this question has come up on various forums, but never really answered, as far as I know: aren't engineers supposed to call signals to the conductor over the radio? The issue as I recall after Chatsworth was whether they had to call restrictive signals only, or all signals. It would be great if someone could confirm or clarify this.

I think some posts on various forums were to the effect that even though the engineers were supposed to call signals, it wasn't really enforced, because if it were, the conductors and engineers wouldn't get along.

The Rialto sideswipe also reminds me of the Amtrak rear-ender with an NS freight in Chicago a year or so ago -- similar situation, two people in the cab and an apparent disregarding of a stop or restrictive signal. What are the Metrolink rules with the two-person crew in the cab? Are they required to call signals, or are they just smokin' and jokin'?

I'm also wondering where the road foremen have been -- shouldn't they be out conducting checks? I get the impression that the Chatsworth and Rialto accidents are chickens coming home to roost over very lax supervision.