Train's engineer received, sent text messages on duty

She resigned Monday after being criticized by her superiors, who said she had spoken prematurely when she told the media that Sanchez had caused the crash.Villaraigosa has the authority to make the changes because he also serves as chairman of board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, one of the agencies that appoints Metrolink board members to oversee the five-county commuter rail line.

"The mayor believes that the public deserves answers and the agency needs changes, and he's taking the leadership to get it done," said Villaraigosa spokesman Matt Szabo.

"The operational safety of Metrolink must be the paramount concern."

Effective immediately, Villaraigosa appointed MTA board member Richard Katz, a longtime transportation advisor to the mayor, as a voting member of the Metrolink board and Deputy Mayor Jaime de la Vega as an alternate.

They replace current board member Anthony J. Bejarano and alternate Francine Oschin.

In an interview, Katz said that he and Villaraigosa would introduce a motion at the MTA board meeting today to study all systems that may be used to prevent collisions, including the positive train control safety system that NTSB investigators say could have prevented the Chatsworth crash.

"We want to make sure that we have every safety tool in the toolbox working on these lines, particularly when you have freight and commuter sharing the lines," Katz said.

Although he's not certain that a full, comprehensive train control system will be ready any time soon, Katz said there may be other safety measures that can be taken on an interim basis.

For example, Katz said some freight cars are equipped with couplers that help prevent one car from crushing another.

As for cost, Katz said, "I think between the five counties [that finance Metrolink] we'll find a way to pay for it."

When Metrolink directors met publicly Wednesday to discuss the crash, Chief Executive David R. Solow was asked if media reports were true that he had concerns about the cost of implementing an automated system that would stop a train in an emergency.

"They are testing some [systems] right now, and we are waiting for the results of those tests," Solow said.

"Cost has not been an issue. We are waiting for technology that works."

As the investigation continued, friends and relatives of passengers killed in the accident began to formally say goodbye to their loved ones.

The first memorial service was for Howard Pompel, 69, a married father of three who was on his way home to Simi Valley when the trains collided.

A service will be held today for Los Angeles Police Department Officer Spree Desha, 35, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown. Desha, a resident of Simi Valley, was also heading home from work.

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robert.lopez@latimes.com

steve.hymon@latimes.com

Times staff writer Phil Willon contributed to this report.