Very Long Trains – Phase IV - Moving Train Test
In the final phase of this research project, a team from Sharma & Associates, Inc. conducted moving train tests on a 228-car, Distributed Power (DP) configured train consist traveling from Minot, ND, to Vancouver, WA, using a Burlington Northern and Santa Fe (BNSF) train and crew. This research was conducted in July of 2023. The team used a test train that was just over 14,000 ft long with a trailing tonnage of approximately 31,300 tons, traveling about 1300 miles over plains, mountains, and rolling terrain. Eight instrumented cars were interspersed throughout the train and collected data on train dynamics and brake system performance.