Big Blue has inspired some purchases

[TMo]

I've been digging enthusiastically into Big Blue over the last few days and that's inspired me to make some purchases and get rolling on some railroad-related activities.

First I saw the layout section and thought that I ought to update my video tour of my layout from front-of-the-engine perspective - I've done quite a lot since my last recording using my son's helmet camera laid on a flat car (shown below).

   

Problem was....  I haven't charged the camera in a couple of years and the battery won't take a charge.  Having a new battery sent to me....

Seeing all the blue (maybe it's just the background) has inspired me to create the first Conrail blue item on my layout (I'm modeling 1976 when not much stuff had received paint yet) - decided to buy an N5 caboose (in Pennsylvania RR livery) from ebay plus decals from K4 (also on ebay).  Another project!

In my research over the past few days I also continue to see Kartrak stickers on a bunch of photographs.  (Kartrak was one of the forerunners of Bar Codes).  Decided I needed to buy some Kartrak decals in HO (K4 on ebay).  Those are going on most of my rolling stock as I weather each car.  Speaking of weathering, I put up some photos of my weathering of two CNW 40-ft semitrailers decorated for the Bicentennial.  Turned out pretty well I think. It's on the weathering section of Big Blue.