Ready Brake issue

if you where driving down the road, or stopped why was the light on in the first place

I believe the strands broke when crossing the tracks and the immediate steep grade caused the jerking motion of the towed to pull extra hard on the cable. There was/is adequate slack in normal operation. The broken strands prevented the cable from retracting fully which kept the brake pedal partially depressed. I know if it were critical I could have interrupted my trip to make temporary repairs, but I chose not too. I have a crimping tool at home and my connection to the brake pedal involves a quick disconnect arrangement that allows the cable to be pulled out when not using so the outside cable eye can be tucked away out of sight. Repairs will require correct measurement to get the proper finished cable length.