Is there any way they could put a better lock on those doors; or is it a safety concern? I realize it would be a huge issue if the train had to be evacuated quickly and only the CAs and conductors were able to unlock the doors. There has to be some way to prevent this from happening, though.
I believe the answer lies, like most problems concerning Amtrak, with funding. It would be an extremely easy solution to place an electromagnetic locking device on all the older swing-style vestible doors in service on remaining heritage, Superliner and Viewliner car so equipped. Newer cars already have this problem solved (I know for sure that the California cars are equipped, and feel that the Acela and possibly the Amfleet cars are as well) with wheel-movement sensors that will automatically close and lock the sliding vestibule doors when the train is in motion. The technology is thus already in existance, has been for decades, and is reliable. Electromagnetic door locks are found just about everywhere, including banks, stores and in great deal of public facilities where remote locking capability is desired.
Place on each door an electromagnetic lock that, when the train is in motion, ensures that the door cannot be opened. It is automatic, turning off and thus allowing the door to be opened when the train is stopped, and turning back on when movement is detected. A key lock next to the door, both interior and exterior, would allow OBS to override the electromagnet for the opening and closing of the door when the lock is active. And on the inside of the vestibule, for emergency situations, have a fire alarm-style pull station covered by a vandal-proof break-out glass panel that deactivates the locks on both doors.
But again, this means spending money.
