+chefblanc Well there are many ways. I am a member of loads of gen groups on Yahoo such as WRGEN, SE-Gen and SWRG. These groups have loads of messages each day with what's going on, rare train moves ect. I have my own team/friends around Basingstoke who text things out to each of us about what as just passed Basingstoke or is going to pass. I have my own gen sources and I am a contributor to the gen and our own text circle. I once was the Special Trains Manager for the Basingstoke area, I don't do that job so much now as it got too much at times however I'm on call manager for it now and the job is sheared out to a team of us. I was the Southern Railvac reporter when it was operated by DCR. I had an eagle eye on that all the time and knew it's every move day and night. I use UK Steam Info website for steam train times. I just know what's going on really. It's like a second nature to me now I'v been doing the gen of 6 years.

wow fascinating.. I saw a blue 47 on thurs lunch passing b'stoke towing a 442 unit southbound.. too late for me to get me cam out.. how do I get into your txt circle .. ;-]