diff --git a/flatland/envs/rail_env.py b/flatland/envs/rail_env.py
index 3d97119e7f7289008525265d412ae5255dbafc69..2a00f2f07c2e0ea9679f8dc51d17d696f32f7ce6 100644
--- a/flatland/envs/rail_env.py
+++ b/flatland/envs/rail_env.py
@@ -20,17 +20,23 @@ from flatland.core.grid.grid_utils import IntVector2D
 from flatland.core.transition_map import GridTransitionMap
 from flatland.envs.agent_utils import EnvAgent, RailAgentStatus
 from flatland.envs.distance_map import DistanceMap
+
+# Need to use circular imports for persistence.
 from flatland.envs import malfunction_generators as mal_gen
 from flatland.envs import rail_generators as rail_gen
 from flatland.envs import schedule_generators as sched_gen
+from flatland.envs import persistence
+
 # Direct import of objects / classes does not work with circular imports.
 # from flatland.envs.malfunction_generators import no_malfunction_generator, Malfunction, MalfunctionProcessData
 # from flatland.envs.observations import GlobalObsForRailEnv
 # from flatland.envs.rail_generators import random_rail_generator, RailGenerator
 # from flatland.envs.schedule_generators import random_schedule_generator, ScheduleGenerator
+
 from flatland.envs.observations import GlobalObsForRailEnv
 
 
+
 import pickle
 
 m.patch()
@@ -251,6 +257,8 @@ class RailEnv(Environment):
             agent.reset()
         self.active_agents = [i for i in range(len(self.agents))]
 
+
+
     def action_required(self, agent):
         """
         Check if an agent needs to provide an action
@@ -314,6 +322,8 @@ class RailEnv(Environment):
         if optionals and 'distance_map' in optionals:
             self.distance_map.set(optionals['distance_map'])
 
+
+
         if regenerate_schedule or regenerate_rail or self.get_num_agents() == 0:
             agents_hints = None
             if optionals and 'agents_hints' in optionals:
@@ -792,6 +802,7 @@ class RailEnv(Environment):
         ------
         Dict object
         """
+        #print(f"_get_obs - num agents: {self.get_num_agents()} {list(range(self.get_num_agents()))}")
         self.obs_dict = self.obs_builder.get_many(list(range(self.get_num_agents())))
         return self.obs_dict
 
@@ -836,3 +847,9 @@ class RailEnv(Environment):
 
         """
         return agent.malfunction_data['malfunction'] < 1
+
+    def save(self, filename):
+        print("deprecated call to env.save() - pls call RailEnvPersister.save()")
+        persistence.RailEnvPersister.save(self, filename)
+
+