Trainspotting Logs - what do you do?

[Peter C]

(Apologies if this is in the wrong forum)

When I go trainspotting, I use multiple different ways of recording the units and engines that I have seen. I use specially-made books (think Ian Allan), notebooks and my mobile phone, but I am interested to hear your views. I have seen other similar topics on the forum but they weren't what I wanted.

-Peter

 

[richardjeeves]

When I am trainspotting i carry a notebook for quick scribbles but I mainly use a trainspotting app on my phone (that also has a record function for transcribing later if i'm trying to get a lot at once). The app i use is handy as it can handle multiple data sets at once and if i only get 1 carriage number of a set i will mark the set as seen. At the end of the day I usually use a trainspotting website where i can also upload any photos i've taken.

 

[Peter C]

When I am trainspotting i carry a notebook for quick scribbles but I mainly use a trainspotting app on my phone (that also has a record function for transcribing later if i'm trying to get a lot at once). The app i use is handy as it can handle multiple data sets at once and if i only get 1 carriage number of a set i will mark the set as seen. At the end of the day I usually use a trainspotting website where i can also upload any photos i've taken.

Cool. That app sounds really cool. Is it SpotLog? I must have a look.

Thanks,

-Peter

 

[richardjeeves]

Cool. That app sounds really cool. Is it SpotLog? I must have a look.

Thanks,

-Peter

yep it is spotlog. It isn't the best looking app out there but it does the job really really well.

 

[Peter C]

yep it is spotlog. It isn't the best looking app out there but it does the job really really well.

OK. I have had a brief look at SpotLog but I think I'll stick with the app I use - "Trainspotter" on the Play Store I think.

-Peter

 

[The_Train]

I also use SpotLog. Find it really good particularly, as has been said above, the fact that it registers a unit just from entering a coach number.

If I'm only out for a short period I will just use my phone and load numbers straight into SpotLog but because of the battery life on my phone I always use a notebook for longer/busier days out. I then load the numbers from said notebook to Spotlog.

I also use Trainlogger to log numbers as I find this better for monitoring what I've seen and what I still need to see, particularly when wanting to check this info by operator as opposed to class. And finally I still log my numbers into my ICRS pocket book as well. Technology is great but can't beat having a backup

 

[Peter C]

I also use SpotLog. Find it really good particularly, as has been said above, the fact that it registers a unit just from entering a coach number.

If I'm only out for a short period I will just use my phone and load numbers straight into SpotLog but because of the battery life on my phone I always use a notebook for longer/busier days out. I then load the numbers from said notebook to Spotlog.

I also use Trainlogger to log numbers as I find this better for monitoring what I've seen and what I still need to see, particularly when wanting to check this info by operator as opposed to class. And finally I still log my numbers into my ICRS pocket book as well. Technology is great but can't beat having a backup

OK. I'll have to look into "Trainlogger"; never heard of it before! I agree that it's always good to have a backup; I think that I must have two or three physical backups ust in case my phone dies!

-Peter

 

[The_Train]

OK. I'll have to look into "Trainlogger"; never heard of it before! I agree that it's always good to have a backup; I think that I must have two or three physical backups ust in case my phone dies!

-Peter

Trainlogger is a website as opposed to an app and to obtain all of the functions you have to pay a subscription. Worth it though if you ask me

 

[Peter C]

Trainlogger is a website as opposed to an app and to obtain all of the functions you have to pay a subscription. Worth it though if you ask me

OK. I've had a quick* look at Trainlogger, and I think that "Trainspotter", which is what I use on my phone, is better as it allows me to see all of things that you would have to pay for on Trainlogger for free.
However, if you like Trainlogger, feel free to use it. I'm not the kind of person that tells others how to trainspot!

-Peter

 

[Peter C]

Also, on a slightly different note, is there somewhere for forum users to share their spots? I think that, if it's not already an option, it could be a good future addition! The Trainspotter app allows you to export your sightings to CSV format, meaning that you can send them to others as an Excel Spreadsheet.

-Peter

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Digital dictaphone when photographing out in the field and/or notebook. RTT comes in handy on the old mobile too

 

[Peter C]

Digital dictaphone when photographing out in the field and/or notebook. RTT comes in handy on the old mobile too

Cool. I had never heard of people recording their spots before, and suddenly two turn up! Like a bus, but less so....


-Peter

 

[bearhugger]

I use Spotlog on my iPhone and Android tablet. The Android version allows to create a html report which can be exported into Excel.

 

[Peter C]

I use Spotlog on my iPhone and Android tablet. The Android version allows to create a html report which can be exported into Excel.

OK. I think that being able to share spots on here in that sort of format would be a good idea.

-Peter

 

[37047]

Another Spotlog (Android version) user here. Tried Trainspotter for a while but I find Spotlog more intuitive to use and prefer its book feature.

 

[87electric]

I also use SpotLog. Find it really good particularly, as has been said above, the fact that it registers a unit just from entering a coach number.

Is Spotlog up to date with hybrid formations?
DMU 175109 has 3 coaches from 3 different units.

 

[pieguyrob]

I use a notebook and pen when I am out and about.
I record what I have seen in my Platform 5 combine, and, my ICRS combine.

 

[The_Train]

Is Spotlog up to date with hybrid formations?
DMU 175109 has 3 coaches from 3 different units.

In the main it is. Regarding your example it as 175109 as comprising of 50704, 56759 and 59705 which I believe to be correct.

If any data is missing or incorrect then they have a forum where you can post this and they will correct it

 

[HA25322]

I also use Spotlog. Love the fact that you can also use it for haulage and for some foreign countries.

 

[Peter C]

Thanks everyone for your input. It's interesting to see how others go about their trainspotting!

-Peter

 

[Paul’s]

Thought I would chip in, I use SpotLog, only because cost me £1.99 to download, I use it on my iPod, where as Train spotter was £9.99 to download.There’s Trainlogger but not looked in to yet, free to use, but can upgrade for a small amount each year. I use SpotLog when out and about, when retuning home I transfer my sightings to Platforms 5 log books.

 

[trainmania100]

I use rail record members area, coming soon to the general public. Currently in testing.

 

[The_Train]

I use rail record members area, coming soon to the general public. Currently in testing.

That looks interesting mate. Is it something you are working on yourself?

 

[trainmania100]

That looks interesting mate. Is it something you are working on yourself?

Yes I am putting it together, along with SMS and email alerts for train services. Coming June

 

[The_Train]

Yes I am putting it together, along with SMS and email alerts for train services. Coming June

Looks interesting. Keep us posted with regards to it going live

 

[Peter C]

Thought I would chip in, I use SpotLog, only because cost me £1.99 to download, I use it on my iPod, where as Train spotter was £9.99 to download.There’s Trainlogger but not looked in to yet, free to use, but can upgrade for a small amount each year. I use SpotLog when out and about, when retuning home I transfer my sightings to Platforms 5 log books.

When I downloaded Trainspotter, it was free. I use Android and I'm not sure of the current price.
I have used Platform 5 books, but I have started to use an ABC Rail Guide (by Colin J Marsden) as a physical backup.


-Peter

 

[xotGD]

Back in the day, I used Excel to produce a grid of everything I still needed for sight. I printed this off and glued it to a credit card sized piece of cardboard. This was easy to carry around and to check when out and about. One by one the numbers got crossed off, and then along came a load of 66s...

 

[SC43090]

I use note pad & pen then mark all sightings into the platform 5 combine

SC 43090

 

[Peter C]

Back in the day, I used Excel to produce a grid of everything I still needed for sight. I printed this off and glued it to a credit card sized piece of cardboard. This was easy to carry around and to check when out and about. One by one the numbers got crossed off, and then along came a load of 66s...

Sounds like a cool idea. Yes - there seems to be millions of 66s! I don't tend to see many freight and other non-passenger services so there's almost no chance of me seeing all of them.

-Peter

 

[Peter C]

I use note pad & pen then mark all sightings into the platform 5 combine

SC 43090

OK. I use my phone when out and about but then write everything down afterwards to ensure that I have a record of everything. I started taking down numbers "seriously" in around 2017 so my logs go back to then. However, in some cases I've just written down the numbers of the units and nothing else. Not very helpful!

-Peter