a system and method for maintaining an airflow path to a turbocharger system on a locomotive operating at high altitude and in a low ambient temperature environment , is provided and includes generating an ambient air stream flow into the turbocharger system to create a compressed air stream flow having a compressed air stream temperature , wherein the ambient air stream flow includes an ambient air stream flow temperature , processing the compressed air stream to create an intercooler air stream having an intercooler air stream temperature , wherein the compressed air stream temperature is greater than the intercooler air stream temperature , directing at least a portion of at least one of the compressed air stream and the intercooler air stream toward a controllable re - circulation device , wherein the controllable re - circulation device is communicated with at least one of the compressed air stream flow and the ambient air stream flow , operating the controllable re - circulation device to combine the at least a portion of at least one of the compressed air stream and the intercooler air stream with at least one of the compressed air stream flow and the ambient air stream flow to increase at least one of the compressed air stream temperature and the ambient air stream temperature to a predetermined level .