This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to conduct the duties of an assistant on a heritage locomotive in accordance with workplace procedures and the requirements of relevant rail regulations and codes of practice.

It includes carrying out or assisting with the following activities on a heritage locomotive in accordance with organisational requirements: checking, preparing and starting up prior to operation; coupling, uncoupling and shunting; assisting with operations and stabling.

People achieving competence in this unit will need to fulfil the applicable state/territory legislated rail safety requirements and to comply with relevant codes of practice and/or guidelines when conducting the duties of an assistant on a heritage locomotive.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare to assist with operating a heritage locomotive

1.1

Roster is checked and interpreted for day’s operational activities

1.2

Allocation of locomotive is checked and confirmed

1.3

Train schedules/notices and other operational and regulatory documentation is accessed and interpreted in accordance with workplace procedures

1.4

Personal protective equipment required for operating locomotive is obtained

1.5

Hazards are identified, risks are assessed and control measures are implemented

1.6

Trackside safety and basic electrification awareness procedures are followed while locating allocated locomotive

2

Assist with preparing and starting a heritage locomotive

2.1

Logbook is checked to confirm serviceability of locomotive

2.2

Locomotive is confirmed as being securely stabled prior to commencing preparation and safety checks

2.3

Preparation and safety checks are conducted in accordance with work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) and other workplace policies and procedures

2.4

Fluid levels and mechanical equipment are checked and appropriate action is taken as required

2.5

Locomotive is started in accordance with manufacturer and/or organisational instructions

2.6

For critical or serious equipment faults that cannot be readily rectified, locomotive is shut down, faulty equipment is isolated and tagged, and problem is reported for rectification

2.7

All instruments and gauges are observed, readings are interpreted to confirm effective air and electrical operation, and where a problem is indicated, action is taken to determine cause and to rectify or report the situation

2.8

Fluid levels are rechecked after starting and appropriate action is taken as required

2.9

Assistance is provided with pre-departure checks

2.10

Logbook and other service records on the locomotive are completed in accordance with organisational requirements

3

Assist with coupling, uncoupling and securing rail vehicles

3.1

Rail vehicles are positioned to meet coupling requirements in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

3.2

Coupling systems are identified and applied appropriately to couple and/or uncouple rail vehicles

3.3

Connecting hoses and electrical couplings are connected/disconnected in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

3.4

Hand brakes and other securing devices are applied/released and attached/removed in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

4

Assist with operating a heritage locomotive

4.1

Safeworking activities are undertaken in accordance with organisational and/or network owner policies and procedures

4.2

Supervisory controls and indicators are monitored and operated in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

4.3

Assistance is provided with communications for network control officer and ground staff

4.4

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

4.5

If driver is incapacitated train is stopped, Network Control Officer is informed and instructions are followed in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

4.6

Assistance with locomotive operation is provided as requested by driver

5

Assist with stabling a heritage locomotive

5.1

Locomotive is secured in accordance with directions, organisational procedures and rail regulations

5.2

Locomotive is shut down in accordance with manufacturer and/or operator instructions

5.3

Logbook and other service records on the locomotive are completed in accordance with organisational requirements

5.4

Cab is secured in accordance with organisational procedures

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 workplace procedures

checking and replenishing fluids and carrying out lubrication requirements on a heritage locomotive

communicating effectively with others when inspecting and preparing a heritage locomotive

completing relevant documentation

conducting a visual inspection of a heritage locomotive and associated equipment

documenting outcomes of visually inspecting a heritage locomotive

identifying job hazards and taking required action to minimise, control or eliminate identified hazards

interpreting and following instructions and prioritising work

preparing a heritage locomotive prior to service

reading, interpreting and following relevant instructions, procedures, information and signs

working collaboratively with others as part of a train crew.

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 heritage locomotive

emergency procedures

external features of a heritage 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 heritage locomotive

lubrication requirements for a motive power unit

operating controls to start, accelerate, decelerate and stop a heritage locomotive

operating procedures for a heritage 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 heritage locomotive

procedures for identifying equipment defects and assessing for appropriate action

procedures for managing and controlling hazardous situations when preparing and starting up a heritage locomotive

procedures for starting and operating auxiliary systems on a heritage locomotive

relevant rail danger zones

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 heritage locomotive

start-up procedures for a heritage locomotive

visual inspection procedures for a heritage locomotive

workplace procedures and operating requirements.

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Practical assessment must occur in an appropriate range of situations in the rail corridor workplace.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment include:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations

relevant and appropriate materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry

applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, rail industry standards, codes of practice and operation manuals