When I worked as an AC for Amtrak, we tried to keep the cab car closed on the San Diegans (now Surfliners), especially if it was leading, if we really didn't need the seats. North of Los Angeles the passenger loads were much lighter and there were a bunch of cash fares since there were few manned stations.

Orders came down that the passengers were complaining to Caltrans that the trains were "crowded" (by passenger definition), so the order was to have all cars open in the train.

The whole car car issue isn't anything new - aren't 99.9% of subway operations the same? (EMU)

I guess Metrolink did consider using a "cabbage" type arrangement, with the cab loco having an HEP plant, but decided against it. Metrolinks new cars have an energy management front end, but notice they can't be used as mid-train cars anymore.

Train crashes are nothing new, and are usually as a result of someone failing to follow the rules (and having enough qualified railroad managers to oversee them). The news does their best to whip everyone into a frenzy causing the politicians to (over)react.

Just my opinion ....