Why a train is always the winner

VIRTUAL WORLD: James Elliston, of Masterton, (left) and reporter Vomle Springford try out the simulator, helped by Kiwirail's Juan Ocampo. PHOTOS/SUPPLIED

TrackSAFE and KiwiRail teamed up on Saturday in Masterton giving people the opportunity to try out the Occulus Rift virtual reality technology which simulates driving a train as part of the safety campaign to raise awareness of what it's like for a train driver dealing with dodgy drivers.

When I put on the stereoscopic headset and learned the controls, I knew a motorist was going to chance it and I'd have to try to avoid crashing, but I was surprised at how little control I ended up having in this situation.

In terms of the technology, the virtual world is quite amazing, you can look all around you while those watching on laugh at you, as you point at the 3D mountains.

The aim of the game is to keep an eye out for vehicles and pedestrians at rail crossings and brake if it looks like they are going to try to zip across into the path of your heavy freight train.

I'm driving around a bend, coming up to a crossing when it happens.

I don't even have time to react to the realisation that there is even a car, and then that it isn't stopping - it's right in front of my eyes when I jerk the controls back on the brakes.

And it's too late - by the laws of physics whoever was in that car was a goner.

I'm told by Kiwirail's Juan Ocampo that Wellington train drivers who tried the simulator say this is exactly what it's like for them.

It's not like driving a car, you can't just screech to a halt or swerve, and even if you were on a straight stretch of tracks, for a train hauling 1500 tonnes of cargo, it can take up to a kilometre to stop.

Fortunately this is just a game for me but every day train drivers in the real world are faced with impatient motorists who try to beat the train or ignore the crossing signs. Some escape unharmed but already this year, five people have died in train-vehicle collisions and there have been more than 70 near-misses reported.

TrackSAFE Manager Megan Drayton said every time a driver crosses in front of an approaching train, it can easily end in tragedy that affects many lives, including the train drivers.

"Train drivers are so often the forgotten victims in these circumstances.

"They are simply doing their day's work, and if someone puts themselves in the wrong place - whether by inattention or misjudgment - there is little a train driver can do to prevent a collision. "That is why this year we have made them a big part of this week's activities by telling their stories."

Crashes over the past 10 years:

12 per cent at crossings with barriers, lights and bells;

37 per cent at crossings with lights and bells;

51 per cent at crossings with stop or give way signs.