What is the effect of moving train on the nearby air?

Question

i have an idea in mind for it. so i want to study the effect of the moving train on the nearby air(vorticity, aerodynamics etc.)

any links if suggested would be better.

Answer 1

The train creates a slipstream. It displaces the air around it and also creates air currents nearby which can lower the pressure surrounding it. This is why it is dangerous to stand near the edge of the platform when a high speed train is passing through a station - you could get sucked into the path of the train.

Steam locomotives have a particular problem, because when running at high speed the exhaust smoke and steam tend to get blown along the top of the engine, disrupting visibility for the crew. One way to avoid this is to fit smoke deflectors - the 'blinkers' seen on the front end of some express locomotives. The other is to streamline the loco. In each case, the slipstream is deflected above the cab roof, giving the crew a clear view.

Answer 2

A train displaces a lot of air to the front of it, no secret there, the area directly in front of a train is high pressure and then lower along the sides as the air tries to rush in and replace the column of air moving forward.

If you live anywhere near a railroad tunnel, there may be a way to observe this, I have noticed as we are coming out of a tunnel, the trees and shrubs alongside the tracks sway wildly, there is a LOT of air moving in front of us.

DO NOT under any circumstances place yourself in a positoin in front of a tunnel but perhpas you can be a safe distance and watch the trackside trees if there are any.

ONe of the reasons trains are so much more efficient and cleaner than trucks is they only have to punch one hole through the air and the whole train goes through, the air friction against an entire train is not much more than one truck has to combat and at speeds over 30 MPH that is considerable.