Pressure transients caused by trains passing

When a train passes another train, a series of pressure pulses are generated which act on the surface of the other train. These pressure transients produce a response in the structure of the train, and can create visible effects such as buffeting of loose doors and windows. This paper presents a detailed novel data set collected from a series of full-scale experiments using the instrumented Network Rail New Measurement Train (NMT). Surface pressure measurements were made for a loop of positions around the lead car of the train. The measurements were made over a 1 ½ year period during the train’s normal operation. The results presented focus on the interaction of pressure transients caused by different train types passing the NMT. Results indicated that, independent of the train type, pressure coefficients at the nose of the train are twice as large as pressure coefficients at the tail, yet results were vice versa for the distance over which the characteristic pressure change was observed. A Rainflow analysis of pressure changes revealed that the number of compressive high amplitude cycles increases with increasing cars per set. Pressure transients measured on board and trackside are in good agreement. Nose and tail pressure magnitudes depend significantly on the measurement height and distance from the track.