Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Peninsula Technikon, 2001 / Maintenance of locomotives is the main function of Bellville Locomotive Traction Depot in the Western Cape. Therefore, it is important to have a sound maintenance plan in place, to prevent a negative impact on the availability and reliability of locomotive supply for hauling power to train services. The purpose of the research is to determine the causes of the increased frequency of maintenance through a case study relating to 35-class locomotives. The abnormal increased frequency of wheel change and inter-bogie control repairs on 35-class diesel locomotives is investigated. A research survey was adopted, which included questionnaires and personal interviews based on the literature search. The target group is L&N section, which includes below-deck maintenance, overhaul and change out, repairs to locomotive bogies, frames, wheels, snubbers, inter-bogie control and traction motors. Sixteen people are responsible for all below-deck repairs and service of 52 locomotives. The results of the research will expose the shortcomings of the maintenance plan and propose solutions. This will be achieved by testing the effectiveness of the existing maintenance plan at Spoornet through the identification of the causes for the abnormal increase in wheel changes and inter-bogie control repairs on 35-class diesel locomotives. The outcome from this case study research will be to quantify the benefits arising from the effective application of a maintenance plan.

M.Com. (Business Management) / The Rolling Stock Department (Rohnat) within Spoomet is responsible for the maintenance and repair of all classes of locomotives. One of the biggest problems at maintenance depots of Rolling Stock is to decide which faulty locomotives, withdrawn from service, must get preference for repairs. This problem is compounded at depots where different classes of locomotives are maintained and repaired. PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to determine critical factors and to create a decision model that can be used for project management at maintenance depots. This decision model must help maintenance depots of Rohnat to determine in which sequence different types of locomotives must be repaired to the advantage of Rohnat and Spoomet. METHOD OF STUDY The most suitable model that could be used to determine the repair sequence of locomotives was the MADM model. In this study, brain storming sessions and individual discussions were held with different Spoomet entities to determine critical factors that could be used in this model. The principles of the MADM model were explained to all parties concerned, whereby critical ABSTRACT factors affecting this model were discussed. Questionnaires were completed after the iscussions to confmn the critical factors that could be used in the MADMmodel. MADM - DECISION MODEL The MADM model is unique in the sense that financial and non-financial factors can be combined . The non fmancial factors which contribute to corporative success and which are left out in other models are however included in this model. The critical factors are further divided into two groups namely quantitative and qualitative. A conceptual model has been prepared in this study to give a better perspective of the workings and arrangements of weights, values and risks of this model. SUMMARY The most suitable model that could be used to determine the repair sequence of locomotives was the MADM It was possible to determine different critical factors that could be used in this model. Different Rolmat depots could use this model, but with different weights for each critical factor to suit their requirements. Critical factors could be added to or removed from this model to suit changing requirements.