Union Pacific Railroad Company

L.b. Foster Rail Technologies, Corp.

Union Pacific Railroad

Wayne A Kennedy

Michael E Iden

Matthew M Larson

John P Haenggi

John M Peters

Kevin David Oldknow

Srini Nedunoori

Divya Kadam

A method to determine fuel consumption, energy consumption, or both fuel consumption and energy consumption, during one test train run, or a plurality of test train runs, that is associated with modifying an operating parameter is provided. The method includes determining a reference fuel/energy consumption, and a cumulative ITE for one, or a plurality of reference train runs (CITE) over a portion of track, and correcting the reference fuel/energy consumption using the CITEof the one, or a plurality of reference train runs, to produce a corrected reference fuel/energy consumption value. The operating parameter is modified, and a modified fuel/energy consumption and cumulative ITE for the one, or a plurality of test train runs (CITE), over the portion of track is determined, and a corrected test fuel/energy consumption value is obtained by correcting the modified fuel/energy consumption using the CITEof the one, or a plurality of test train runs. The corrected reference fuel/energy consumption value and the test fuel/energy consumption value are then compared to determine the effect of modifying the operating parameter on the fuel/energy consumption during the one test run, or a plurality of test train runs.

Cumulative inertial tractive effort

Disclosed is a series of stacked intermodal containers, being pulled by a locomotive of a train, with aerodynamic drag reducing devices. A first set of containers has an aerodynamic drag reducing device with a drag reducing fairing and an attachment frame attached thereto. The attachment frame includes first and second mounting devices configured to be removably mounted to connection openings of the corner fittings of the top container of the first set of containers. The first mounting device(s) may be rotatably locked within the top connection openings, while the second mounting device(s) may be hooks for latching into the bottom connection openings. A method of attaching the aerodynamic drag reducing device is also disclosed.

Mounting of drag reducing devices for stacked intermodal rail cars

Disclosed is a series of stacked intermodal containers, being pulled by a locomotive of a train, with aerodynamic drag reducing devices. The series includes at least a first, leading set of containers and a second, trailing set of containers. The first, leading set of containers has an aerodynamic drag reducing device with a drag reducing fairing and an attachment frame attached thereto facing a forward direction. The attachment frame includes at least one mounting device configured to be removably mounted in the tunnel of the top container of the first, leading set of containers. Additionally, the second, trailing set of containers may include a second, aerodynamic drag reducing device, also attached via a gooseneck tunnel. Curtains may also be attached between a plurality of intermediate or adjacent sets of stacked containers to assist in reducing drag on the train when moving.

Drag reducing devices for stacked intermodal rail cars

Disclosed is a series of stacked intermodal containers, being pulled by a locomotive of a train, with aerodynamic drag reducing devices. The series includes at least a first, leading set of containers and a second, trailing set of containers. The first, leading set of containers has an aerodynamic drag reducing device with a drag reducing fairing and an attachment frame attached thereto facing a forward direction. The attachment frame includes at least one mounting device configured to be removably mounted in the tunnel of the top container of the first, leading set of containers. Additionally, the second, trailing set of containers may include a second, aerodynamic drag reducing device. Curtains may also be attached between a plurality of intermediate or adjacent sets of stacked containers to assist in reducing drag on the train when moving.

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Mondamin, IA, United States of America

Wayne A Kennedy