Air baffles in railroad tunnels for decreased airflow therein and improved ventilation and cooling of locomotives

A method for decreasing airflow within a railroad tunnel for passage of a train comprising at least one locomotive and one or more cars, the tunnel comprising an entrance, an exit, and a length extending in a longitudinal direction therebetween and including a path comprising rails for movement of the train therethrough;

• the method comprising:
• providing a plurality of air baffles, each air baffle comprising a body and a mounting portion, the body comprising a top side, a bottom side, a front side, a back side, a mounting side and an annulus side, the annulus side of the body extending into an annulus of the tunnel, the mounting portion on the mounting side of the body, each mounting portion mounting each body on a side wall of the tunnel and positioning each body inside the tunnel along the length, and
• attaching the plurality of air baffles on side walls in the tunnel using the mounting portions such that the annulus side of each body extends into the tunnel,
• wherein the plurality of air baffles are configured to restrict airflow at least in part in the longitudinal direction of the tunnel, thereby increasing a relative difference between the train speed and air speed in the tunnel annulus when the train passes through the tunnel, and
• wherein the attaching of each air baffle positions the bottom side of each respective body at a height above the path and rails of the tunnel.

A method for decreasing airflow within a railroad tunnel for passage of a train comprising at least one locomotive and one or more cars, the tunnel comprising an entrance, an exit, and a length extending in a longitudinal direction therebetween and including a path comprising rails for movement of the train therethrough;

• the method comprising:
• mounting a plurality of air baffles on side walls in the tunnel between the entrance and the exit;
• wherein each air baffle comprises a body and a mounting bracket, the body comprising a top side, a bottom side, a front side, a back side, a mounting side and an annulus side, the annulus side of the body extending into an annulus of the tunnel, the mounting bracket on the mounting side of the body, each mounting bracket mounting each body on a side wall of the tunnel,
• wherein the mounting of the plurality of air baffles comprises inserting fastening devices through openings in the mounting brackets and securing the fastening devices in the openings such that:
• the annulus side of each body extends into the tunnel and the top side of each respective body is provided at a distance below a top wall or a ceiling of the tunnel, and
• wherein the air baffles are configured to restrict airflow at least in part in the longitudinal direction of the tunnel, thereby increasing a relative difference between the train speed and air speed in the tunnel annulus when the train passes through the tunnel.

A combination comprising:

• a railroad tunnel for passage of a train comprising at least one locomotive and one or more cars, the railroad tunnel comprising an entrance, an exit, and a length extending in a longitudinal direction therebetween and including a path comprising rails for movement of the train therethrough;
• and
• a plurality of air baffles mounted within the tunnel, each air baffle comprising a body and a mounting portion, the body comprising a top side, a bottom side, a front side, a back side, a mounting side and an annulus side, the annulus side of the body extending into an annulus of the tunnel, the mounting portion on the mounting side of the body, each mounting portion mounting the body on a side wall of the tunnel and positioning the body inside the tunnel along the length such that the annulus side of the body extends into the tunnel,
• wherein the air baffles are configured to restrict airflow at least in part in the longitudinal direction of the railroad tunnel, thereby increasing a relative difference between the train speed and air speed in the tunnel annulus when the train passes through the tunnel, and
• wherein the mounting portion positions the bottom side of the body at a height above the path and rails of the tunnel.