Calls for greater protections after deadly train derailment

A transport union is calling for greater protections after two train drivers died in a derailment in South Australia.

Kevin Baker and Mick Warren died after a truck collided with a freight train on the Barrier Highway, about 35 kilometres from South Australia's border with NSW, on Sunday.

The Queensland truck driver, Kevin Pearson, 75, was charged for allegedly causing the derailment and faced court for the first time in Adelaide yesterday.

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The collision has left the families of Baker and Warren heartbroken.

"They're being extremely brave, but they are absolutely devastated," Scott Benbow said.

"Everybody's just in shock and disbelief that this has happened."

Warren was remembered by the Rail Tram and Bus Union, which said there had been 510 near misses on rail crossings in the last year.

"Mick stood up for safety issues all the time, whether it's against the company or against the rail infrastructure management. He was always advocating for safety," union boss Shayne Kummerfeld said.

The union is calling for harsher penalties.

"It's a $540 fine in SA and three demerit points. That's insufficient," Kummerfeld said.

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There are currently only about 10 speed cameras installed at level crossings across the state, which the union said was inadequate.

The South Australian government said boom gates were the superior protection and the responsibility was on the federal government to implement that safeguard.

But Kummerfeld said there needed to be a solution immediately.

"We've got to start doing something because what we're doing now isn't working," he said.