A requirement of much equipment in railways is the need to be "fail safe". This requirement means that the equipment design should allow the equipment to revert to the most safe condition should any of the following occur:

• an internal fault
• a malfunction from internal or external factors
• vandalism
• poor maintenance

The objective of this is to ensure the safety of rail passengers, staff and equipment.

Refer to "Right Side Failure" and "Wrong Side Failure" in this glossary.

A final product and/or process that candidates complete is an excellent way to prove competency. However, it is not always easy to do. Here are some things you can use to help you gather evidence.

• portfolio of evidence,
• a structured interview,
• a third party report, or
• a sample of a finished product.

These are flat pieces of metal used to spread the load over a joint. Fish plates are often bolted into position (i.e. on either side of a rail joint) but may also be welded into place (i.e. to support a crack or weakness in a piece of metal).

Effective workplace performance requires not only isolated technical skills, but the knowledge and attitudes to apply those skills in routine and non-routine situations. People are considered to be competent when they are able to apply their knowledge and skills to successfully complete work activities in a range of situations and environments.

The five dimensions of competency are:

Task skills
Undertaking the specific task/s required to complete a work activity to the required standard. This means being able to perform the individual actions as well as the whole task.

Task management skills
Managing a number of different tasks to complete a whole work activity. This means working efficiently to meet deadlines, handle a sequence of interrelated tasks, and progress smoothly between tasks.

Contingency management skills
Responding to problems and irregularities when undertaking a work activity, such as:

• breakdowns
• changes in routine
• unexpected or atypical results or outcomes
• difficult or dissatisfied clients

Job/role environment skills
Dealing with the responsibilities and expectations of the work environment when undertaking a work activity, such as:

• working with others
• interacting with clients and suppliers
• complying with standard operating procedures
• observing enterprise policy and procedures

Transfer skills
This dimension is often addressed — but not mandated — which is having the capacity to transfer skills and knowledge to other contexts.

A fixed signal, either a controlled signal or an automatic signal, is one that has been placed in a fixed location. The location is selected to cater for the largest braking distance of the various trains that use the line. Another factor that governs a fixed signal's location is geographical features (such as tunnels, curves, declines and inclines). 

See a different type of signalling, in-cab signalling.

Flank protection is provided to prevent a route being set that crosses the path of a train route already set. Vital interlockings (relay or computer based) apply interlocking rules for setting the route by checking track occupancy plus other point and signalling status on the requested route.

A generic term for the area between the two rails of a running line, irrespective of the actual gauge dimension.

See also six foot and cess.

A railway car that carries freight and can be an open or closed arrangement.

The "V" shape formed by the merging of the two rails in a crossing.

Frogs may be fixed or movable.

A front contact of a relay is made (makes an electrical circuit) when the relay is energised.

See also back contact.