I have seen several trains running in this way. Never could understand the benefit,and this accident highlights the harm. 

The reason the carriers use the so-called "push-pull" method is it saves a move whereby they run the locomotive around the train either on a wye or a turntable and pass track to get it facing the other direction and on the point of the train.

In the case of Metrolink the Antelope Valley Line terminates in Lancaster with a freight railroad main line on one side and Sierra Hwy on the other. While this leaves no room for a wye without crossing either the Union Pacific's freight line tracks or grade crossings on Sierra Hwy, both difficult propositions, they do have room for a turntable. As much as they may hate the idea that's what they should do.

The crew, prior to making the return trip, should have the facility to cut the locomotive off the train, run ahead to a turntable track, turn the locomotive and run it around on the outside or "drill" track to get it on the south end of the train for the return trip. With a turntable located north of the station it would take about 20 minutes to complete this move. The only justification for "push-pull" is it saves some time and money.

Monty.. My Idea and tell me what you think.. 1 consist One east facing unit , one west facing unit. Worried about fuel costs? Isolate the rear unit That is facing the cars. If you use A unit on both end's it brings up air brake cut out , and alerter problems..( Because we all know in the railroad business nothing works like it is supposed to.)  Instead of having to run to a turntable or a Wye....just run around the train..I believe as every other person that has worked in the railroad industry that had a locomotive been on the head end of this train, this accident would never of happened. Now let's throw the numbers out to the public that has never worked in the railroad industry to let them do the math. Locomotive ( metrolink) approx 189 tons x 2 = 378 tons (account two on the head end) vs. a passenger rail car approx 60 tons ( over 6 times the weight ). The average weight of a jeep Cherokee is 3,135 pounds..378 tons vs. 3,135 pounds..You don't have to have a degree in physics to realize that the derailment more that likely would have never happened.. But this is just my opinion as a locomotive engineer for the railroad. OH and any car that I have hit with a locomotive has never derailed me. As you can see bellow A full size pickup hit by two locomotives on the head end, and it does not appear a single car is on the ground..

And still no one is talking about the problem with push mode operation. Current rules are no one can sit in the first 20 rows of seats in push mode operation but from the looks of the photo of the entire train jackknifed I don't see what good that is other than some political window dressing. Safety? It's all about the money. The only safety rules that are important are the ones that don't cost anything to implement and the ones that can be resolved by firing someone. Then some idiot in charge can say, "See we fixed the problem. We fired the culprit! Safety is of the utmost importance."