IMAGINE something the weight of a blue whale followed by something equal to the weight of 100 elephants roller-skating down a train track.

This is a way of understanding the scale and force of a fully laden cane train.

The 2017 crush started last week and Wilmar is reminding motorists that tracks crossing roads in the Whitsunday area are operational 24 hours a day.

A Wilmar spokesperson said people underestimated the time and distance it took a cane train to stop.

If a car came into contact with a moving cane train they were going to come off second best.

"Even if the driver has a chance to apply the brakes of the loco, they may not be able to stop in time," the spokesperson said.

"A fully laden locomotive travelling at 32km/h will take almost one kilometre to stop after its brakes are applied."

Not obeying level crossing signs is an offence and could result in a charge of failing to give way.

"Our locomotive drivers are encouraged to report all incidents and record vehicle registration details, where possible, so the information can be passed on to the police," the spokesperson said.

Wilmar urges members of the public - particularly children - to keep off cane bins and stay well clear of our cane railway corridor, including cane railway bridges. This is vital during the school holiday period.