Aerodynamic Forces on Various Configurations of Railroad Cars for Carrying Trailers and Containers. Wind Tunnel Tests of Six Scale Model Configurations

摘要

Toward improving the energy efficiency of rail intermodal service, the aerodynamic characteristics of the rolling stock offer a significant opportunity for betterment. At speeds above 45 miles per hour more than half of the resistance of an intermodal train is caused by the aerodynamic drag of the cars and their loads. Methods by which the aerodynamic drag may be minimized are, therefore, of considerable interest to railroads and car designers. This report covers the wind tunnel testing of scale models of railcars for carrying trailers and containers. The purpose was twofold: First, to determine whether significant differences in the aerodynamic characteristics of such scale models could be measured in the wind tunnel showing that it could be utilized as an evaluation tool in future railcar design programs and, second to obtain comparative performance data on five new intermodal railcar configurations.