DPU safety stop?

Engineer-Joe posted:

 I answered a question earlier about using the e-stop on the DCS WIFI app. Now I'm watching a video of a train and notice it has a lead engine and a rear pusher engine. It got me wondering about an accident. I can understand the basic idea of how the DPU works. I was just wondering if there's anything extra for safety in the event of an accident where the engineer might not be in control as it occurs? Maybe an unforeseen derail at track speed?

 Would the DPU keep pushing in an accident if the lead engine didn't send a stop signal?

Yes. If for any reason the air brakes go into emergency, ALL the units, including any DPUs, also go into emergency and stop loading.

Is there safety controls in place to control the pusher units?

Yes.

I hope this never happens and I'm just wondering.

Well, in fact such events do indeed happen, and, as I stated above, ALL the units stop loading.

I would say I'm sure there is....right?

Thank you Sir!

There is an issue that has been occurring on trains with DRU and Trip Optimizer not when the train is placed emergency but when notching out to idle when preparing to stop or slowing down for say a curve.

The DPU sometimes will not notch down but keeps motoring in the last throttle position when its losing signal.

The Engineer has to go in and knock the "fence" down on the rear unit in the computer screen to make sure the rear DP units drop to idle.

Been hearing of some crews getting slammed pretty hard by the rear DPU when this occurs .