Steaming Systems

VCE - YEAR 11 SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

Join our engineers on a guided tour of Puffing Billy Railway’s locomotive workshops. Students will learn about the concepts, principles and components of the mechanical systems that have allowed the railway to operate for over a century. Students will learn how to document and diagrammatically showcase engineering principles. They will observe engineers working safely with materials, tools, equipment, components and machines in an active workshop. They will observe simple mechanical systems and management of work by Puffing Billy Railway engineers, whilst undertaking mechanical calculations to determine mechanical advantage and energy
transformations in a steam locomotive.

Students will also experience a journey through the magnificent Dandenong Ranges on Puffing Billy, observing the positive and negative impacts of the system on the railway corridor. They will join an Education Officer to document and apply these observations and the observed engineering concepts to further design, plan and evaluate a mechanical system of their own. Students will draw on knowledge learnt at the railway to discuss and consider the relevant factors that influence the creation and design of the mechanical systems at the railway and consider these in their own prototype and system designs.

NGG16 + G42 Cross The Trestle Bridge. Photo Credit Matt Oaten

Steaming Systems Itinerary

Curriculum links

VCE - Year 11 Systems Engineering

	STEAMING SYSTEMS CURRICULUM LINKS
	UNIT 1: MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
	Area of Study 1	Mechanical System Design
		Outcome 1	key knowledge	key skills
		On completion of this unit the student should be able to describe and apply basic engineering concepts and principles, and use components to design and plan a mechanical system using the systems engineering process. To achieve this outcome the student will draw on key knowledge and key skills outlined in Area of Study 1.	The function and operation of mechanical components	Explain, using appropriate engineering terms, how mechanical systems function
			Mechanical engineering concepts and principles	Identify and select appropriate subsystems and components that will form operational systems
			Mechanical calculations	Test, measure and record appropriate system parameters to evaluate system performance
			System performance variations as a result of using different subsystems or components	Perform basic calculations on linkages, gear ratios and pulleys
			Stages of the systems engineering process and factors that influence the creation and use of a mechanical system.	Apply the systems engineering process to: � identify and document the problem, need, opportunity or situation � research, design and plan the operational integrated and controlled system
				Describe the factors that influence the creation and use of the system.
	Area of Study 2	Producing and Evaluating Mechanical Systems
		Outcome 2	key knowledge	key skills
		On completion of this unit the student should be able to produce, test, diagnose and evaluate a mechanical system using the systems engineering process. To achieve this outcome the student will draw on key knowledge and key skills outlined in Area of Study 2.	Risk assessment and management at all stages of creation and use of the system	Apply the systems engineering process to produce, test, diagnose, evaluate and report on the system
			Use of tools, equipment, machines and components compliant with OH&S requirements	Identify how the factors that influenced the creation and use of the system have been taken into account
			Measuring and testing equipment and methods, and fault finding in systems, subsystems and components	Evaluate the use of the systems engineering process
			Evaluation methods in systems

UNIT 3: INTEGRATED AND CONTROLLED SYSTEMS
	Area of Study 2	Clean Energy Technologies
		Outcome 2	key knowledge	key skills
		On completion of this unit the student should be able to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of renewable and non-renewable energy sources, and analyse and evaluate the technology used to harness, generate and store non-renewable and renewable energy.	Forms of non-renewable energy sources including fossil fuels	Describe forms of non-renewable and renewable energy sources
			Dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels as the main source of energy supply and electricity production	Discuss advantages and disadvantages of nonrenewable energy sources and renewable energy sources
			Technological developments to reduce carbon emissions and improve efficiency of fossil fuels including oil,natural gas and coa	Explain recent technological developments to improve environmental credentials of non-renewable resources
			Factors that determine the efficiency of energy conversion	Evaluate the technologies and processes used to harness, generate and store renewable energy sources
				Describe factors that determine the efficiency of energy conversion

UNIT 4: SYSTEMS CONTROL
	Area of Study 2	New and Emerging Technologies
		Outcome 2	key knowledge	key skills
		On completion of this unit the student should be able to evaluate a range of new or emerging systems engineering technologies and analyse the likely impacts of a selected technology.	New or emerging developments in systems engineering products and components, how they work and their applications	Research and evaluate the operations and applications of new and emerging developments in systems engineering processes and products
			New or emerging developments in systems engineering processes that improve economic and environmental sustainability, efficiency and risk management	Explain reasons for and drivers of the development of new and emerging technologies
			Reasons for and drivers of the development of the new and emerging technologies, including discoveries, new materials, technology convergence and new manufacturing methods and processes	Analyse impacts and the potential of the new and emerging developments
			Positive and negative impacts and the potential of the new and emerging developments.	Present and analyse information about a specific new or emerging systems engineering innovation

Teacher & Student Resources

Puffing Billy Railway offers a range of pre and post excursion curriculum-linked resources to support teaching and learning in the classroom and at home.

Pre-Excursion Activities

Post-Excursion Activities

Excursion Workbooks

Program details and information

Excursion Rates

Excursion Type	Student rate	Teacher/Leader rate
Guided Programs	From $24.90 per person	From $36.00 per person

PLEASE NOTE

Guided Programs are led by Education Officer and include train journey and one of the following programs: All Aboard, Steam Machines, Steaming STEM, Innovation Station, Maths in Motion, Puffing Billy Pathways, Sustainable Tourism at the Railway or Steaming Systems.
The Additional Teacher/Leader Rate includes train fare plus guided program.
SPECIAL NEEDS GROUPS – Additional Carers charged at student rates.

Education Group Ratios

Group Type	Teacher/Leader to Student Ratio
Special Needs Groups	1:1
Early Years	1:5
Primary	1:10
Secondary	1:10
Tertiary	1:20

Full Size Tony Evans Puffing Billy 20200229 19 29765 (1) Cr

Free Of Charge Teacher Ratios

Group Type	Teacher/Leader to Student Ratio
Special Needs Groups	1:1
Early Years	1:5
Primary	1:10
Secondary	1:10
Tertiary	1:20

Grandparent And Grandchildren Waving From Carriage Prior To Departure

DURATION

Half Day (approx. 9.30 am - 2.30 pm)
AVAILABILITY

Monday - Friday during the Victorian School Terms
TEACHER/LEADER TO STUDENT RATIOS

VCE | 1:10
RATES

Guided Student | From $24.90
Guided Teacher/Leader | From $36.00

LOCATION

OPTION 1 | RETURN JOURNEY
Meet the Education Officer at Belgrave Station at 9.30 am for a tour of the Engineering workshop and an 11.10 am departure (approx. 50-minute journey). Disembark at Lakeside Station at 12.00 pm. Enjoy lunch, the Lakeside Visitor Centre, an Educator led workshop and the natural surrounds. Board Puffing Billy Railway at 2.15 pm and return to Belgrave Station at approx. 3.05 pm.
OPTION 2 | SINGLE JOURNEY
Meet the Education Officer at Belgrave Station at 9.30 am for a tour of the Engineering workshop and an 11.10 am departure (approx. 50-minute journey). Disembark at Lakeside Station at 12.00 pm. Enjoy lunch, the Lakeside Visitor Centre, an Educator led workshop and the natural surrounds. Depart on your school bus from Lakeside at 2pm.
Other options can be scheduled according to Puffing Billy Railway timetable.

Enquiries

Enquire about our guided excursions via our online form.
Please contact the Education team for any further questions by emailing info@pbr.org.au or calling 03 9757 0700.

Enquire

3 Volunteer Head Conductor On The Lakeside Station Platform

Curriculum links

Teacher & Student Resources

Pulley power

Full steam ahead

Engine uity express

Tracks to safety

Loco motion

Steam mechanics

Cultural connection

Steaming schematics

Program details and information

PLEASE NOTE

DURATION

AVAILABILITY

TEACHER/LEADER TO STUDENT RATIOS

RATES

LOCATION

Enquiries

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