On the optimal model configuration for aerodynamic modeling of open cargo railway train

This study is concerned with the optimal model configuration for aerodynamic modeling of long open cargo railway trains. Frontal air drag of several train configurations was studied using numerical modeling and physical i.e. wind tunnel testing of 1:40 scale railcar models in a range of cross-wind angles. In a long train, the locomotive and the last railcar influence the aerodynamic characteristics of the first three and the last three railcars only. Aerodynamic performance of all other railcars in the long train is similar and can be represented by two inner-train railcars only. A model train configuration combining the shortest computation time with the lowest experimental error was determined from numerical modeling and this was then used for wind tunnel testing. It has been shown that, for long open cargo railway trains the model consisting of six railcars with two streamlined bodies is the optimal configuration, with both the numerical modeling and wind tunnel testing results in good agreement.

► We examine aerodynamic performance of a long open cargo railway train.
► The locomotive influences aerodynamic performance of the three first railcars only.
► The last railcar or locomotive influences the two cars immediately before it only.
► In a long train, inner-train railcars display very similar aerodynamic properties.
► Optimal model configuration for modeling aerodynamics of long trains determined.