SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Operate a steam locomotive 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
256196  Operate a steam locomotive 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Transport and Logistics Operations 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 11 - Services Transport, Operations and Logistics 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  14 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be useful for people starting on a learning pathway in the rail transport industry (train driving), and contributes towards the specialist skills and knowledge they require for specific roles within rail transport. It is intended to describe key skills and knowledge requirements for those Drivers who operate in defined working environments, in compliance with legislative requirements, codes and practices.

This unit standard will recognise the essential knowledge and skills required to operate and regulate the movement of a steam locomotive to contribute to the safe movement on rail.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose and layout of overhead track equipment.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose, function and layout of the equipment of a specific steam locomotive.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the steam locomotive's brake system.

    This unit standard should not be attempted unless the learner is competent in signing a locomotive on and off; shunting rail vehicles; compiling trains operating safely under/with high voltage equipment and demonstrating an understanding of brake systems. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are already competent in:
  • Communications at NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria.

    The following scope and context applies to the whole unit standard:
  • Performance must be carried out: in different weather conditions; day/night; in different yard layouts/mainline/siding; under hazardous conditions; within a specific time span. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose and layout of overhead track equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Overhead equipment is identified and described in terms of its purpose and layout, in accordance with company specific safety instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Dangers associated with the overhead equipment are described and explained with reference to dangers to persons and/or equipment, in accordance with company specific safety instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Own responsibilities with respect to overhead equipment are described in accordance with job description and company specific safety instructions. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose, function and layout of the equipment of a specific steam locomotive. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Equipment includes:
  • Internal, external, auxiliary. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The internal equipment layout in the driving compartments, running board, and tender is identified described and explained in terms of its purpose and function in accordance with steam locomotive specific operating handbooks and/or company specific instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    External equipment on the roof, frame, boiler, and bogie layout is identified, described and explained in terms of its purpose and function in accordance with steam locomotive specific operating handbooks and/or company specific instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Auxiliary equipment of a specific steam locomotive is identified, described and explained in terms of its purpose and function in accordance with steam locomotive specific operating handbooks and/or company specific instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Own responsibilities with respect to internal, external and auxiliary equipment are described in accordance with job description and company specific safety instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    First line maintenance is demonstrated to rectify sub-standard conditions in accordance with company specific procedures and instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Procedures to isolate defects in the auxiliary equipment are explained and demonstrated in accordance with company specific instructions and procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Auxiliary equipment includes:
  • In the firebox; in the smoke box; on the frame; on the running board; in the driving compartment.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the steam locomotive's brake system. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Understanding includes:
  • Purpose, working and failure of brake valves/system. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of the brake system is described and explained in accordance with company specific procedures and/or manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The function of the brake system is described and explained in accordance with company specific procedures and/or manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The working and failure of the brake valve system is described and explained in accordance with company specific procedures and/or manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The brake system on the steam locomotive is identified, set up, and its operation demonstrated in accordance with company specific procedures and/or manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    First line maintenance to rectify sub-standard conditions is explained and demonstrated in accordance with company specific procedures and instructions. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Accreditation Options:
  • Providers of learning towards this unit standard will need to meet the accreditation requirements of the relevant ETQA.
  • An individual wishing to be assessed against this unit standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that has been accredited by a relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with a relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be registered and accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.

    Moderation Option:
  • The moderation requirements of the relevant ETQA must be met in order to award credit to learners for this unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Company specific rules, instructions regarding the layout of the equipment of the steam locomotive (all types).
  • Safety rules and regulations related to steam locomotives.
  • Safe work procedures.
  • Existing communication and reporting lines.
  • Diagnostic and analytical evaluation methods to interpret audible and visual indications from steam locomotive gauges and/indicators.
  • Steam locomotive care techniques to rectify sub-standard conditions
  • Purpose and function of auxiliary equipment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.

    Note: Learners can identify hazards within the rail environment (main line, sidings, sheds, etc.) in accordance with company specific procedures, take remedial action to reduce/eliminate hazards and take the necessary corrective action to rectify sub-standard conditions. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.

    Note: Learners can: do a diagnostic analysis by means of visual and audible indicators to identify defects according to company specific procedures; and implement company procedures to deal with abnormal conditions. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

    Note: Learners can interpret information from gauges and warning systems to assess the correct operation of the steam locomotive; and evaluate company procedures related to the working environment to ensure all work performed adheres to company standards. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.

    Note: Learners can utilise and respond to communication systems and the use of active sentences to impart clear and concise information to another party. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.

    Note: Core to the standard. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

    Note: The learner has knowledge of testing, communication systems as well as the generic ability to identify hazardous and sub-standard conditions, which would have an impact on the safe movement of the steam locomotive/s. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Notes to Assessors:

    Assessors should keep the following general principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure that evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent.

    The following particular issues should be taken into consideration when assessing against this unit standard:
  • Methods of assessment should include:
    > Written tests/case studies.
    > Oral/on-the-job.
    > In situ (on-the-job) observations.
    > Simulation.
    > Role-play/structured classroom discussions and oral tests.
  • These methods must be carefully selected based on the purpose of the assessment (for example, the written method could be used to assess knowledge or on-the-job demonstration for practical competence). 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  61849   Further Education and Training Certificate: Train Driving  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  TETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.