Orange headcode blinds meaning?

[The exile]

A multiple unit definitely can divide (lpae its rear coaches) and the driver be not aware.

A class 150 left a 153 behind when the pins on the coupler were wired wrong. The guard pushed the PA button and the unit uncoupled with the front unit carrying on its merry way with the driver oblivious.

Simular thing happened with a pair of 165's when the trip cock was activated in the Banbury to Leamington area. Driver reset the trip cock by pressing the uncouple button in the inside cab and then went to the front and left the rear portion in section.

So maybe there was a more interesting back story to the sprinter I saw approaching (in service) on Saturday with bright red lights at the front!!!

Back to my original point - I doubt it could have happened with SUB / EPB stock - wouldn't a division of the brake pipes automatically apply the brakes?

 

[Merle Haggard]

snip

One white, one red blind was used for shunting movements on the Southern. ECS from Lovers Walk into the Brighton platforms always displayed this.

Similarly, station pilot shunting locos carried one red and one white lensed oil lamp, on the two outer lower lamp brackets.
Cue some enthusiast magazine photo caption writers saying 'but it's got express lamp code, must have covered a failure' yeah right.

 

[Bikeman78]

Back to my original point - I doubt it could have happened with SUB / EPB stock - wouldn't a division of the brake pipes automatically apply the brakes?

Yes it would. What happens when the handles are lifted once units are coupled? Obviously they open the brake pipes but do they also switch the electrical connection on? If so, coupled units without the handles lifted would not get far. The rear unit would not release the brakes.

 

[Surreytraveller]

Yes it would. What happens when the handles are lifted once units are coupled? Obviously they open the brake pipes but do they also switch the electrical connection on? If so, coupled units without the handles lifted would not get far. The rear unit would not release the brakes.

The brake cocks are literally just the brake cocks.
If the electrical connection isn't made, then the motors wouldn't work in any units that the train isn't being driven from. It wouldn't affect the brakes.

 

[Bikeman78]

The brake cocks are literally just the brake cocks.
If the electrical connection isn't made, then the motors wouldn't work in any units that the train isn't being driven from. It wouldn't affect the brakes.

To be clear, the inter unit electrical connection is made as soon as the 27 pin jumper is plugged in? In which case, brake control would be achieved throughout the train, even if the brake hoses were not connected. Or have I misunderstood how EP brakes work on the slam door units?