HORSHAM College principal Ian Trigg has demanded students be more responsible after a group of seniors forced a Pacific National freight train driver to apply an emergency brake at a level crossing.

Mr Trigg told a school assembly last week that such irresponsible behaviour on train tracks could lead to the death of a student.

Mr Trigg also wrote to all parents through the college newsletter after the VCE students narrowly avoided being hit as they ran across a Hazel Street railway crossing as a Pacific National train approached on May 1.

The driver of the train activated the emergency brake to miss the students whom he identified by their uniform.

"VCE students crossed the Hazel Street level crossing while the lights, bells and gates were operating," Mr Trigg said.

"Nothing is so important that they should take those sort of risks.

"If they tripped on the tracks the train could never stop in time."

In the school newsletter, Mr Trigg told parents the actions of the students had caused the train crew `a great deal of stress'.

"I should not need to point out the stupidity of this action on behalf of the students," he wrote.

Mr Trigg said Pacific National had contacted the college and asked him to talk to students about their inappropriate actions.

He warned students about the dire consequences of acting irresponsibly on train tracks.

The Mail-Times understands the issue has also been raised at school council level.

An Arnold Street resident, who did not want to be named, said Horsham College students often tempted fate with trains.

"I stand back and watch and worry they will get hit," the resident said.

"I've seen the kids crossing while the lights are going and I worry about their safety."

The resident said she had not contacted the college about the issue.

She said the installation of boom gates at the crossing had reduced the number of students trying to cross while the lights were flashing.