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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare to assist with operating a steam locomotive
2. Roster is checked and interpreted for day’s operational activities
3. Allocation of locomotive is checked
4. Train schedules/notices and other operational and regulatory documentation are accessed and interpreted in accordance with workplace procedures
5. Personal protective equipment required to operate the locomotive is obtained
6. Trackside safety and electrification awareness procedures are followed while locating allocated locomotive
7. Prepare and start a steam locomotive
8. Logbook is checked to confirm serviceability of locomotive
9. Locomotive is confirmed as being securely stabled prior to commencing preparation and safety checks
10. Preparation and safety checks are conducted in accordance with work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) and other organisational policies and procedures
11. Water levels and fuels are checked and replenished as required
12. Mechanical equipment is checked and appropriate action is taken as required
13. Fire is lit and steam is raised in accordance with organisational instructions, with consideration for thermal expansion and in accordance with environmental procedures and practices
14. For critical or serious equipment faults that cannot be readily rectified, fire is dropped, faulty equipment is isolated and problem is reported for rectification
15. All indicators and gauges are continuously monitored and readings are interpreted to confirm effective pressure, water level and air operation, and where a problem is indicated, action is taken to determine the cause and to rectify or report the situation
16. Operation of locomotive equipment is established and verified
    • Locomotive lubrication, cleaning, preparation, and provisioning are undertaken in accordance with organisational requirements
    • Logbook and other service records on the locomotive are completed in accordance with organisational requirements
17. Assist with coupling, uncoupling and securing rail vehicles
18. Rail vehicles are positioned to meet coupling requirements in accordance with organisational policies and procedures
19. Coupling systems are identified and applied appropriately to couple and/or uncouple rail vehicles
20. Connecting hoses and electrical couplings are connected/disconnected in accordance with organisational policies and procedures
21. Hand brakes and other securing devices are applied/released and attached/removed in accordance with organisational policies and procedures
22. Assist with operating a steam locomotive
23. Safeworking activities are undertaken in accordance with organisational and/or network owner policies and procedures
24. Gauges and indicators are monitored and operated in accordance with organisational policies and procedures
25. Boiler is fired to meet load requirements in accordance with environmental procedures and practices
26. Water level is maintained to ensure safe boiler operation meets load requirements and track characteristics
27. Assistance with communications is provided when communicating with Network Control Officer and ground staff
28. Observation of all aspects of the rail corridor and environs is maintained and communicated to driver in accordance with organisational and/or network owner policies and procedures
29. In case of driver being incapacitated, train is stopped, Network Control Officer is informed and instructions are followed in accordance with organisational policies and procedures
30. Assistance with locomotive operation is provided as requested by driver
31. Assist with stabling a steam locomotive
32. Locomotive is secured in accordance with directions, workplace procedures and rail regulations
33. Boiler water levels are checked and replenished as required
34. Locomotive is shut down in accordance with operator instructions
35. Ash is disposed of responsibly in accordance with network owner and operator policies
36. Assistance is provided to conduct a post-operational inspection
37. Logbook and other service records on the locomotive are completed in accordance with organisational requirements
38. Controls are secured in accordance with organisational procedures

Range Statement

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions can be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

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Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:

applying relevant safeworking system and workplace procedures assisting with pre-operational activities in accordance with operational procedures checking and replenishing fluids and carrying out lubrication requirements on a steam locomotive communicating effectively with others when inspecting and preparing a steam locomotive completing relevant documentation conducting a visual inspection of a steam locomotive and associated equipment documenting outcomes of visually inspecting a steam locomotive firing a steam locomotive identifying job hazards and taking required action to minimise, control or eliminate identified hazards inspecting and operating a steam locomotive boiler in accordance with relevant codes of practice and operational procedures interpreting and following instructions and prioritising work maintaining steam and water levels in accordance with operating requirements preparing a steam locomotive prior to service reading, interpreting and following relevant instructions, procedures, information and signs.

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Knowledge Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

braking and safety system procedures for a steam locomotive emergency procedures external features of a steam locomotive that must be checked during a pre-operational visual inspection functions of auxiliary systems on a motive power unit and related checks for correct operation in-cab pre-operational checks for a steam locomotive lubrication requirements for a motive power unit operating controls to start, accelerate, decelerate and stop a steam locomotive principles, purpose and location of controls, monitoring devices, braking, power source and traction systems procedures for: checking fuel and fluid levels and carrying out lubrication processes on a steam locomotive identifying equipment defects and assessing appropriate action managing and controlling hazardous situations when preparing and starting up a steam locomotive starting and operating auxiliary systems on a steam locomotive visually inspecting a steam locomotive relevant safety, work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental procedures and regulations requirements for completing relevant documentation when inspecting and preparing a steam locomotive steam locomotive boiler code of practice start-up procedures for a steam locomotive workplace procedures and operating requirements.

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