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: 

Demonstrate an understanding of rail technology 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
255956  Demonstrate an understanding of rail technology 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Civil Engineering Construction 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction Civil Engineering Construction 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
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 
The person credited with this unit standard is able to explain the effects of joining different rail hardnesses and what materials may be used to join the rail tracks. Learners will also be able to describe the neutral axis and stress concentrations as well as understand the causes of rail defects. Learners will also be able to explain how track geometry affects rail-wheel interaction and the damage mechanisms that influence the rail-wheel interaction. Learners will also be able to inspect rail to sleeper fastenings, sleeper spacing and ballast profile as well as explain the conditions under which de-stressing takes place.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Demonstrating an understanding of composition of rail.
  • Explaining rail-wheel interaction on life of the rail and wheel.
  • Monitoring and controlling the condition of Continuously Welded Rail (CWR). 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this unit standard will be assumed competent in:
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3 or equivalent.
  • Communication at NQF Level 3 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Rail technology may include but is not limited to bended rail, junction rail, turnout components, block joint, splice joint. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of composition of rail. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    This history of rail technology is explained in terms of the different production phases. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Roll marks are identified in order to establish the hardness of the rail. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The effects of joining different rail hardnesses are explained in terms of track geometry. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The materials to be used to join the rail track are identified according to specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Neutral axis and stress concentration points are explained in terms of rail safety. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Causes of rail defects are explained in terms of adhering to safe maintenance methods. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Causes may include but are not limited to overheating, hammering, drilling, cutting, handling, bending, derailment damage, grinding, welding, lubrication, joint plates, sabotage.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Classification of running lines is explained with examples in order to establish the correct rail requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain rail-wheel interaction on life of the rail and wheel. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The reason why the rail profile must match the wheel profile is explained in order to optimise rail and wheel wear. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    How track geometry affects rail-wheel interaction is described in terms of track standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Damage mechanisms that influence rail-wheel interaction are explained in terms of the effects on it. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Damage mechanisms may include poor elasticity, poor track maintenance, worn/damaged track components, train handling, tilting of rails, transposing of rails.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Methods of extending the life-span of the rail and wheels are explained with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Methods may include but not limited to lubrication, check-rails, re-profiling.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The purpose of corrective and preventative grinding is explained in terms of extending the life-span of the rail and wheel. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Monitor and control the condition of Continuously Welded Rail (CWR). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Rail to sleeper fastening are inspected for compliance. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Compliance includes clamping force, damage to fastenings, missing fastenings, worn fastenings.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Sleeper spacing is checked against standard. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Ballast profile is inspected against standard. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Track maintenance activities are explained in terms of specified temperature ranges. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Track deviations on original design are observed and recorded in accordance with standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Conditions under which de-stressing takes place are explained in given scenarios. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Conditions include but are not limited to rail wear, maintenance activities, stress measurements, kick-outs, horizontal and vertical alignment.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The effects of tonnage on rail stress is explained with examples. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this unit standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems relating to the condition of previously welded rail (CWR). 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others to ensure the safety of all persons using the rail network. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information which may impact on the condition of processing welded rail (CWR) and on the safety of rail traffic. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology to assist in the use of rail track geometry and in the monitoring of the condition of rail track. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems where a thorough understanding of rail technology has a positive impact on safety. 

    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 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  61670   Further Education and Training Certificate: Railway Construction and Maintenance  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.