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Glossary

Browse the A-Z below for some rail-specific terms that are used in this website, together with their meanings.

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NEBOSH

National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health

NEP

National ERTMS programme (formerly SNEP)

Network

Section 83(1) of the Railways Act 1993 provides that “network” means:
“(a) any railway line, or combination of two or more railway lines, and
(b) any installations associated with any of the track comprised in that line or those lines,
together constituting a system of track and other installations which is used for and in connection with the support, guidance and operation of trains”.

Network services

“Network services” are defined in sections 82(1), (2) and (3), Railways Act 1993 as:
“any service which consists of, or is comprised in, the provision or operation of a network (or of any of the track or other installations comprised in a network), but does not include:
(a) services for the carriage of passengers by railway;
(b) services for the carriage of goods by railway;
(c) light maintenance services; or
(d) station services.”
The statute continues by explaining that “network services” includes services of any of the following descriptions:
(a) the construction, maintenance, re-alignment, re-configuration or renewal of track,
(b) the installation, operation, maintenance or renewal of a railway signalling system or of any other railway communication equipment,
(c) the construction, control, maintenance or renewal of electrical conductor rails or overhead lines, of any supports for such rails or lines, and of any electrical substations or power connections used or to be used in connection therewith, and the provision of electrical power by means thereof,
(d) the provision and operation of services for the recovery or repair of locomotives or other rolling stock in connection with any accident, malfunction or mechanical or electrical failure,
(e) the provision and operation of services for keeping track free from, or serviceable notwithstanding, obstruction (whether by snow, ice, water, fallen leaves or any other natural or artificial obstacle or hindrance) or for removing any such obstruction,
(f) the provision, operation, maintenance and renewal of any plant, equipment or machinery used in carrying on any of the activities specified in paragraphs (a) to (e) above,
(g) the exercise of day to day control over train movements over or along any track comprised in the network,
(h) the preparation of a timetable for the purposes of such control as is referred to in paragraph (g) above,
and it is immaterial ... whether or not the person who provides the service in question also provides or operates a network, or any of the track or other installations comprised in a network, or provides the service on behalf of a person who does so.”
Section 82(2) explains that, for the purposes of the definition of “network services”, where a person permits another to use any land or other property comprised in a network he is to be regarded as providing a service which falls within the meaning of “network services”.

NRES

National Rail Enquiry Service: a public information provider offering advice on timetables and other rail queries, paid for by train operating companies (TOCs) and accessed by ringing 08457 484950.