Аннотация:[For the English abstract and full text of the article please see the attached PDF-File (English version follows Russian version)].ABSTRACT Using the example of track circuits operation, the authors consider the reliability factors of technical means in relation to train traffic safety. The dependences of technical requirements for operation and production of rails, reliability and quality indicators, standards and rules, designed to ensure a systematic order at the level of interaction between the producer, supplier and consumer of the product, are assessed. Particular attention is drawn to the possibility of building relations on the basis of a supply contract, which allows to introduce quality guarantees in terms of gamma-percentage service life, to agree special requirements to the operational properties of rails and the operating conditions themselves. Keywords: train safety, rails, reliability, life cycle, quality guarantees, gamma-percentage service life, prevention of defects.