When a diesel train like the one I'm in is travelling at 90kmh, it takes 750m to stop completely. Wairarapa's record for fatal crashes isn't good. In the last 22 months there have been four at level train crossings. Garry says people seem to be taking more notice. Peter warns me to wind up my window as we head towards the Rimutuka Hill tunnel.
Darkness fills the cab until the orange light of the vigilance device blinks.
Like a gigantic torch, the train's front light lights up 200m of tunnel ahead. At 80kmh the window wiper starts to shudder against the window. The Rimutaka Hill tunnel, the second longest in the country, is like a 10-minute amusement ride from the front of the train. When we emerge, Peter tries to explain the light signals. They all look like traffic lights to me, but I discover red doesn't always mean stop.