When I first read the message (before scrolling down for context), my first assumption wasn't "train divided", more that someone had uncoupled a pair of units that weren't due to be split, or whatever. I've certainly seen instances where drivers have uncoupled a late-running train that had fallen into the path of the one they were supposed to be splitting (that caused a few please-explains). Alternatively it could have been "delay while detaching a unit", 15x sometimes take quite a few attempts which might lose a path.
None of these turned out to be the case here of course.
I do remember a driver who used to be with Northern telling me that they had a 142 where the "uncouple" pin and the "notch 5" pin had become transposed. So that when the train accelerated through the Edge Hill Tunnels the rear unit would detach itself. I hope that as soon as this was discovered someone was sent quickly with "non-multi" signs.
"A broken down freight train" would have been better. Easier for a layman to understand and tells them as much as they need to know.
I was glad when this change happened. It always irked me that there were TDA codes covering overcrowding due to a special event, unusually high footfall, or disruption; yet there was no code for "overcrowding because it's always overcrowded at this time on a Saturday". At least they're now admitting that overcrowding is normal, rather than it being considered unusual.
