Mark, nice work on the lighting!
BTW passenger cars are harder to pull because of the added passenger's weight. 
Thank you, Laz, RJ!!
I have always liked the fireball logo. I have liked it better than the WM speedletter. I was inspired by photographs of WM coal trains going up the Black Fork grade with one steam engine for every 10 cars. A photograph sequence showed a 70 car train with engine cut in the middle and pushers. Later they used RS3s. I have two RailKing Scale RS3s, one in fireball and one in speedletter I want to put on the trains also.
RJ, mystery solved!! Thank you!! 😊 😉
Mark, I really like the look of the passenger car lighting and how smoothly the trains run. You have some nice individual scenes, but when put together in a video, wow. Just think how great everything will look with more scenery details. And you say you’re still recovering? You make more progress than anyone on the forum!
Andy
WOW Mark! I've been away for a bit busy with summer and family. I must say you have made great progress on the layout since last I checked! Great work!!
Thank you, Andy, T-Bone1214!!
Andy, the surgeon told me on Monday I’m allowed to lift up to 30 pounds and to start in to normal activities, with moderation of course.
I do need to make more videos, especially one with a train running on one level then move to the other. I’m going to wrap up a PS3 upgrade on an old F3, then show it off.
T-Bone, since I wasn’t allowed to do any mowing or yard work over the summer, it has been a productive time for the easier tasks on the layout! 👍🏻
Great news on the back. I wouldn't lift 30 pounds no matter what the doc says. No point in tempting fate. But keep doing the PT. Layout is coming along great. I've gone back and have been reading your entire thread.
Thank you, Myles! I was going to add, no way I would try 30 pounds. I need more PT as you said.
Going back and reading from the beginning!! Oh no! You are in for a very convoluted storyline! 😄 Thank you for your comments!
Mark,
You are truly an inspiration, especially as I begin to deal with my own issues. EMG next week, X-rays today and MRIs likely to follow. Then …??? In the meantime, I’m trying to find someone to help me hoist 4x8 and 3x8 pieces of 3/4” ( ha-ha) plywood so I can cut subroadbed or even go cookie cutter for a while, just to get some trains running.
Keep getting better,
Rubin
Oh my, Rubin! I’ve been through all of that! ☹️ I wish I was recovered more or I could slip over and help you out with the plywood. Eventually, I am supposed to be up to it; like next year! I’m going to send you a personal message later! Thank you!
Glad to hear that you’re improving Mark, it can be difficult, but you seem to be on a good path. I look forward to the PS3 upgrade. Can you make a video detailing that process?
Andy
Thank you, Andy! Progress has been very good for rehab; much faster than the lumbar fusion and knee replacement. Those surgeries were much more invasive. I definitely would set off a metal detector. 😆
On to the layout and trains. A video is a good idea, I never thought of it. I have everything mounted and the wires connected. They have you test it in conventional, and that worked. I did that with the shell off and before I tidied up the wires. I still have to finish that. Now I have to install the file loader software on my laptop, since I lost it when my old desktop crashed last summer. Everything was backed up. I’ll see if I can do a video describing what I did for the conversion since everything is still open to be seen.
@Steamfan77 Andy, I haven’t forgotten the video. The few chances I had to video, there was some non-train related noise going on that would interfere. I still have the shell off but have the correct sound file loaded and everything works except the green marker lights are on when in reverse and off when in forward. 🤪 So, I’ll get a video going sometime.
I bought some material for the lower lift up bridge. It will look more like the one at the bottom of the real Blackwater Canyon than what I have now.
HI Mark- Can't wait to see the F3. I'm vaguely familiar with upgrading one......
Good to hear the file upload went well. I had MTH program the boards for my S2 since I don't have a TIU. For the markers, could be as simple as swapping the wires?
Bob
Bob, I searched the forum to find out what I was doing wrong that the sound file upload wouldn’t work. I realized how vaguely familiar I was when I saw my posts from over 5 years since I upgraded the BL-2!! 🙄
I’ll send you an email, since the upgrade is a bit off topic from layout planning and construction! How do I get myself off topic so much? 🤷♂️ I do have another topic related to the F3 where I will post and share the link here. 👍🏻
No rush Mark, there is a lot that goes into this. And as you’ve seen (and heard 😉) timing is everything. Pun intended 😁
Andy
Andy and everyone who is interested, I decided to post my F3 PS3 upgrade video elsewhere and add a link here since the discussion really isn't part of the layout design and build. The video is at:
When I Forgot About an F3 Preorder and Now Have a Redundant Project on the Workbench - "My Solution"
Here it is on the rails.
Yesterday I finished a PS3 upgrade on a 1995 Premier ProtoSound Western Maryland F3. The innards aren't pretty, as we discussed on my own thread, but it works! 
My only other upgrade was a BL2 that I did 5 years ago. I have a lot of trouble handling small parts and wiring, and next time, I will follow some advice from others. The only other upgrade is I added a much better looking crew of two to replace the original wimpy looking engineer.
So, what's up next?
1. I am now physically able to continue the removable scenic section with the Idaho Hotel that will overlook the town across the tracks.
2. Last week, I bought a simple kit for a very long through girder bridge to replace the three short ones on the lower bridge. I need to do a little work on the alignment in the down position on that bridge as well. The long girders will look more like the bridge at the bottom of the real Blackwater Canyon.
But first, I need to clean up the makeshift workbench from electronics work before tackling either project.
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@Mark Boyce posted:Here it is on the rails.
Yesterday I finished a PS3 upgrade on a 1995 Premier ProtoSound Western Maryland F3. The innards aren't pretty, as we discussed on my own thread, but it works!
So, what's up next?
1. I am now physically able to continue the removable scenic section with the Idaho Hotel that will overlook the town across the tracks.
2. Last week, I bought a simple kit for a very long through girder bridge to replace the three short ones on the lower bridge. I need to do a little work on the alignment in the down position on that bridge as well. The long girders will look more like the bridge at the bottom of the real Blackwater Canyon.
But first, I need to clean up the makeshift workbench from electronics work before tackling either project.
The engine looks good Mark. So what was the final outcome for the markers?
A runby video seems in order too.....
Thank you, Bob! I really don't understand MTH's setup on the markers. The common for both front and back go to the purple wire spliced to a whole bunch of commons. That makes sense. The other side of each pair are spliced to a blue wire going to one pin out. 
So when I had both front and back pair plugged in, they all (2 red and 2 green) were off in forward and on in reverse. Splicing it to the unused beacon wire was very bright, so needed a resistor. Then I got thinking, paired up with the yet to be delivered brand new F3, this one will always be the rear engine running in reverse. It's markers wouldn't be on and green except when backing in to pick up cars. I decided to plug in the red LEDs and let them be on when the train is running. So for now, that is the way it is. I could always open it up and substitute the green ones if I want to.
You are most correct. A runby video is needed. I'll get on that.
Mark,
You are an incredible modeler! I have at least 3-4 PS1 locos to convert. They are early 1990’s Railking and are certainly not scale. But scale or not, there’s a certain appeal to a UP Big Boy pulling a string of Armour Yellow coaches ( which are RK, too). I’ve also got several scale size locos like the Lionel NYC Mohawk but I suspect that I’ll have to replace the Pul-Mor motor with a can, if I am to get the performance I’d like.
and speaking of conversions, I wonder whether we will ever really see the new TIU or Lionel’s 3, both of which are years overdue. Since all of my TMCC and DCS equipment are first generation, I’m really wondering how we will all run our layouts over the next ten years if our main suppliers can’t get chips or master the technology. And if these products do get made, there’s always the maxim about buying Rlease 1 technology.
Time will tell.
Rubin
Nice work on the WM F3 - I'll have to find some pics of my A-B-A set this weekend to compare.
Thank you, Rubin, Richie!
Here's a video runby, Bob.
Rubin, I think I am more of a Jack-of-all trades master-of-none. That's the way it was at work. 
I seemed to find my way into catch-all departments. Come to think of it, maybe that is what makes a good modeler in this multi-faceted hobby.
The thing about upgrading the older engines, you have to decide if you like the engine enough to upgrade electronics, Pul-mor motors, etc.
Richie, it would be nice to compare wit your ABA
Mark, thank you for the video, it was outstanding! The F3 is sharp, and now it has the inners to match the look. Well done. The run by video is excellent, thank you.
Andy
Looks and sounds great Mark. The markers work the way they should too.
well done and on to the next project!
Bob
Very nice job, Mark! Looks and sounds great. Nice looking engine.
Art
Thank you, Andy, Bob, Art!!
Yes, I am happy with it. As an aside, I always knew my sound files didn't take on the BL2 upgrade I did 5 years ago. After finishing the F3, I was able to update the sound files on the BL2 and get rid of the hideous blaring horn that keeps pulsating on startup!! 
I was looking at the bridge project after last night, and decided I could live with it as is for now. I want to get started on some scenery, so I'll be working on the swing up scenery section that will be mainly occupied by Myles' @Trainman2001 Idaho Hotel. It deserves something better to sit on than bare Masonite!!
Mark, excellent sounding engine and looks just as good. I have no idea when I read about the internal electronics of these locomotives; ie. ps1,2,3 etc. I do appreciate the knowledge and try to understand what I read and see.
Gene
I Look forward to seeing your next project Mark.
Andy
Thank you, Gene, Andy!
Gene, MTH released PS1, more properly named ProtoSound in the early to mid '90s. I was modeling in HO at the time, so I wasn't paying attention. It gave the operator much better sound, smoke, and some other features than what was out before. It was still conventional control if you will, because you had to vary train speed, direction, horn, from the transformer. So the operator was tied to the transformer to make changes. It was rather clunky to set up different options.
I think it was around 2000, MTH released PS2, which the operator was able to use a hand held remote that communicated to the engine through the TIU. The operator could set the voltage and then walk around with the train and operate multiple trains through the remote. PS3 is similar to PS2, but has more features that I don't have any engines that really make use of the features. So, if you like operating with the remote, upgrading from PS1 ProtoSound to PS3 is a big deal.
Andy, Ask and ye shall receive.
Here are some photographs of my planned lift-up scenery. This is the way I design in 3 dimensions. Much easier than trying to draw it. I think it will work.
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Hi Mark, Looks like you have been really busy while I have been away! You did a great job on the engine upgrade!
I am glad your back is getting better and your able to get back to scenery work on your lift up section! From the pictures it looks like a great idea and should work just fine!
I will try to check in more often, just been really busy around here!
@Mark Boyce posted:Thank you, Gene, Andy!
Gene, MTH released PS1, more properly named ProtoSound in the early to mid '90s. I was modeling in HO at the time, so I wasn't paying attention. It gave the operator much better sound, smoke, and some other features than what was out before. It was still conventional control if you will, because you had to vary train speed, direction, horn, from the transformer. So the operator was tied to the transformer to make changes. It was rather clunky to set up different options.
I think it was around 2000, MTH released PS2, which the operator was able to use a hand held remote that communicated to the engine through the TIU. The operator could set the voltage and then walk around with the train and operate multiple trains through the remote. PS3 is similar to PS2, but has more features that I don't have any engines that really make use of the features. So, if you like operating with the remote, upgrading from PS1 ProtoSound to PS3 is a big deal.
Mark, thanks for the quick lesson. The lift-up looks like it should serve the purpose you need.
Gene
Thank you, Mike and Gene!!
Mike, I knew you were tied up in knots this summer, but also knew you would be checking back in! I'm glad to hear from you again!
Gene, You're welcome! I left HO conventional running only back in 2012 when I bought my first MTH train set. I was very impressed with the sound and lighting capabilities, but it took quite a while to learn about the DCS system and Lionel's TMCC and Legacy. So, I am quite happy to share what I learned, and quite often someone else will pipe in with something I didn't know or often corrections and nuances I overlooked explaining.
Thank you both. I think it will be a simple but effective way to get at the lower level. I'll figure out how to hide the seams and hinge areas with bushes or what not as I go. Oh, keep in mind, I will be lifting off the big hotel, vehicles, and whatever else could be damaged when I do need to gain lower level access.
Mike, thank you about my back! 👍🏻
Great simple design with nothing to go wrong. You never can have too much or too easy of access to your layout. Way to go, Mark! I like it.
Art
@Richie C. posted:Nice work on the WM F3 - I'll have to find some pics of my A-B-A set this weekend to compare.
Not to highjack the thread, but as promised .... the AA set is Lionel Legacy and, if memory serves me right, the B unit is Williams.
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Richie, you aren’t hijacking the thread at all! We wanted to see your Western Maryland ABA set. It looks great! Thank you for sharing the photographs and video!!
The A unit I am getting is to have the Speedletter scheme like all of yours. My upgraded F3 A has the Fireball scheme, so I’ll have an unmatched set. I remember growing up near the B&O and seeing unmatched blue F-units. Really it doesn’t matter.
I like the hinged platform Mark. Will make service below easier. You may consider attaching what you can so it's less to move when you need to access the main level.
Bob
Thanks, Mark - I love the WM "Fireball" paint scheme, but this was my first Legacy diesel set and has always been a great runner. I'm going to have to eventually get around to painting up some WM passenger cars to go with it.
I'm sure the lift-up top will look good once foliage, etc. is added. You may want to consider covering the white legs and side framing with an embossed brick or stone masonry paper.
Thank you, Bob, Richie!
Bob, I agree, I could even fasten the tires of any cars and trucks.
Richie, I have briefly thought of what to cover the edge and legs of the lift-up along with the fascia of the main layout table, but have not really considered anything in particular. Your suggestion is the first I can recall. It is a good idea.
Clamps are gone.
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Mark,
Your post about PS1 brought back memories. I remember being shown one of the then new PS1 locos. in order to access the sounds or cause the coupler to open made me crazy!Taking the throttle up and down and counting the clinks and clanks to get the brakes to squeal was no joy. But I guess that’s how progress is made. And that’s why both Lionel’s and MTH’s new systems are roughly three years late🫤.
