**Eric's Trains Facebook Post

Eric has a tremendously favorable impact on our hobby. He should be congratulated in many ways.

My wife and I belong to an organization that has a large senior citizen population among it's membership. When we became active a couple of years ago, what I immediately noticed was the lack of being in tune with the times with a very limited internet presence. When I pointed out this gap to their leadership, I might as well have been talking to the Martians. The ostrich approach only leads to continued falling membership for them. That is why I strongly believe in what Eric is doing.

4.6 million views, 8000+ subscribers. On his own time. And of course building a large railroad at the same time. And all done obviously passionately. I think he can take himself seriously. I certainly do. Thank you Eric! 

To tell you the truth, I'm not much of an "awards" kind of guy.  As I see it, the pats on the back go to anyone and everyone--individual or group--able to bring just one new active participant to our hobby.  In that respect there are a whole lot of potential award winners out there fully deserving of recognition, and I would find it very difficult to single out any one person for a special award.

The true ambassadors tend to work in the background and out of the spotlight, doing what they do simply because they love this hobby and are willing to share.

This sounds well and good, but then I'd be inclined to think MTH would focus on the open house and not his online presence, of which there can be no photos.  Eric has said Atlas and Weaver are getting it, it's Lionel and MTH that need to step up to the plate.  Like he said about their videos, they are very dry and boring.  I've watched some.  Like the MTH one on the PRR S-2.  I tried watching it to hear the sounds, but they kept playing some lame music over the top of the whole video, making it next to impossible to judge the sound set.  On the other hand, I watched Eric's review of the Lionel VL Centipede, and wow, I really like the sounds.  The whistle is fantastic.  The Lionel videos of the VL BB are better then most, but even then it just is too short and doesn't give a good sampling.

In the end, I think voting for Eric is more of a means to and end, to let those trying to grow the hobby and market items for the hobby realize that the old way of clubs and meets is not the most effective way anymore in today's connected world.  They need to not just get online, but to embrace the very lively online world.

I think he is right on with his comments.  I just watched his Pioneer Zephyr review and it is complete and done very well.  For anyone looking to get info on that model, his You Tube review is as good as it gets.  

I am sure the Blue Comet award will get around to individuals eventually.  The clubs are just more 'public'. It is still a very young award.  

As Tim said,  he is doing all of this on his own dime and his own time. Pretty impressive. 

Does anyone know if he's ever been featured in either magazine?

Entrants will be judged on the quality and effectiveness of their display and outreach efforts, including the number of persons who attend or are reached, effectiveness of the effort itself, and the amount of coverage in local media.

judging by the number of hits Eric's videos get I think he would be a great nominee

I'm a great fan of all of Eric's videos and have especially looked at his tunnel and mountain building videos more than once. His layout is wonderful as well. But in reading MTH's reasoning behind the Blue Comet award (which I never really paid much attention to up until now) and why this year's award was given to the Somerset NJ 4-H Club, it seems like it was well deserved mainly because they do much more than just display trains at shows. They have a considerable amount of children's involvement with the club and there is a five-year learning program that they have on all facets of model railroading. That part to me was very compelling. It seems like an environment that actually nurtures the development of model railroading interest in young people.

I don't actually know  what the award is, whether it is monetary or just a glorified "attaboy" or a plaque or something but really, in the grand scheme of things, while Eric deserves kudos for his work, in my opinion this year's award was well earned. 

Here is a link to the MTH page about the award.

http://mthtrains.com/news/008

Please note entrants must submit an application to be considered.  So for those who think ill of Eric for tooting his own horn, please consider that you have to do this to potentially win the award.

If you would look over his many videos, you will see he is a very humble individual. I believe his real intent is to raise the awareness of the O Gauge companies of all the tools available to them to promote the hobby.  They could learn a lot from his videos.  It's not like he is asking for money or a bunch of free stuff for his efforts.

Sinclair, your comments regarding the MTH PRR S2 video or spot on.  It was a great annoyance to me to listen to crummy music and hardly be able to really see and hear the S2 sounds.

I can guarantee you one thing, if you watch Eric's videos, you won't be left wondering anything about a particular model.

Eric, I personally hope this goes to show you the impact you are having on the hobby and how much those of us in the O Gauge world appreciate your efforts.

I would be happy to do an article about his layout and other contributions.  If he contacts me by e-mail or phone, I'll get the ball rolling.

I just sent Eric a message via Facebook to inform him of this thread/message.

I've been marching into O Gauge Railroading with a full head of steam, collecting trains and track (and 1 day, not to start anything, my Legacy Controller)for the past 2 years now.  As a Computer and Network Technician, (like Eric), I further enhanced my knowledge base via the OGR Forum, O Gauge Railroad, Classic Toy Trains, Model Railroad Hobbyist and other magazines.  I learned about all of these mags from the Internet.  I discovered Rich Battista, Eric and other OGR members thru the internet.  About 50% of my F3's were bought from Ebay, while viewing them on the Internet and the videos and blogs from Eric and others continue to be a source of knowledge that the train enthusiast, collectors and last but not least young children have at their fingertips.  I go to the Open Houses as often as possible and plan to go to the World's Largest Train Layout in Germany this summer and if time permits I hope I can make the Piedmont Pilgrimage in Georgia too.  My first stop at the Pilgrimage will be at Eric's Open House.  His video blogs in FB, Twitter and UStream keep me focused on future plans for my layout, train purchases, and along with the OGR Forum I continuously check daily for any and everything I can find for further enhancement pertaining to trains.  If not for anything else Eric Siegel's videos and updates don't come fast enough because I feel like I can't absorb enough quick enough.  He has been a pioneer for the hobby and learning from him and all of the members of the forum, none of this could have been possible if not for the Internet. Although I might have missed it but he should have been featured in any one of the favored magazines along time ago, I'm fortunate that it hasn't been done yet so I can read up on it and continue to learn.  He will have my vote for 2015, hands down.

An early picture of the layout was in the photo album section of another O-Gauge magazine, but that's it. My layout is not really ready to be featured in magazine yet. It's not quite ripe. Needs a couple more years. 

Thanks,

Eric Siegel

Should be in a magazine because not everyone is on-line.  Plus when you are bored to death somewhere with a computer, or computer access, yes places like that still do exist, especially in the mountains of northern Montana, it would be nice!  

You are great Eric.

Eric....I sent an email to you yesterday concerning an idea that Rich and I discussed.  I think you will find it interesting and may help.  Please contact me via the cell phone number I gave you in the email.

Thanks,

Alan

Eric

FYI...I received email today from MTH that the entry deadline for the 2014 Blue Comet award has been extended to February 28, 2014.  You would be excellent choice for this reward!

Ken

Ouch!!!  Really???  I love the way today's "youthful" up-and-coming personalities feel the need to empower themselves by playing the "age" card all the time.  And here I thought Eric's website was WAY above that nonsense.  But what the heck do I know?  I guess I'm a full-fledged social media dinasaur at age 55.

Here's a bit of context...

February 26, 2014 - If you or your O gauge group have set up a holiday display, group open house, or any other public promotion of O gauge model railroading in the past year, you could be the fourth winner of the Blue Comet Award — presented annually to the group or person who, in the opinion of the judging committee, has done the best job of promoting O gauge model railroading to the general public. The entry deadline for the 2014 award has been extended to February 28, 2014.

The goal of the Blue Comet Award is to encourage O gauge model railroaders — 2-rail, 3-rail, and tinplate — to make the hobby more visible to the public and to bring new members of all ages into the hobby. Previous winners have included the NJ Hi-Railers of Paterson, NJ (2010), the Ocean County Society of Model Railroaders of Lakewood, NJ (2011), the National Capital Trackers and the San Diego 3-Railers (2012), and the Somerset County (NJ) 4-H Trainmasters. See last year's winners here and view the contest rules, as well as email and address for submissions, here.

All of these clubs should be commended for their work in promoting the hobby.  There is nothing to "cringe" about those clubs being awarded their well-deserved recognition.   If anything, cringing at former winners shows a lack of maturity that I'm trying to write off at this point to youthful exuberance.  But truthfully, I'm having a hard time getting completely past that misstep -- despite the fact that I've always tipped my hat at all that Eric has accomplished with his website video's and Facebook page.

Sometimes, it's hard to unring a bell after it's been rung.    Sponsors and advertisers understand this concept all too well when their favorite celebrity endorsers ad lib a bit too far off the program.    Frankly, I'd have a tough time recognizing someone with an award if they're promoting their own ideas at the expense of former winners.  There's something that just doesn't sit right about that, IMHO.  Seasoned pioneers BUILD upon what's been recognized in the past... they don't shoot down that recognition.  Sorry, no vote here at this time.  Perhaps another year or two down the road when a better-seasoned attitude prevails...

David

I Have followed this post with great interest. I met Eric once at our LHS and went to

his open house in 2012 but I wound not say that I know him. I've only spoken to

him maybe 10 minutes total. First, I think he has a rare talent for communicating

information to others. He does a great video in every way And I think everyone

can agree on that young or old. Most have praised his effort to promote the hobby.

I see a few people have some questions about a few comments. In this case I chose

to think the best of his intent. I don't think the ( cringe ) was meant as an insult

to any club or anyone or anything that has worked to promote our hobby and been

given an award or honor. I do think he wanted to expand the pool of options to

choose from and I do not think he is trying to make his contribution more 

important than any other person or group.i think he loves what he does and really 

is great at what he does. If he gets the recognition and is able to get more cooperation

from the manufacturer, might we see even more videos with even more information

to make that next perchase. You DO have my vote and thanks for the videos.

had another idea. OGR has made some great videos that my grandsons love to watch

and I'm sure many other people enjoy them as well. Would MTH think about OGR

for the award?? I think we may all need to expand our thinking about who may be

concidered for this award. Now if MTH has decided that this is a club only award

then it is a club only award and that's it. I also wanted to say that I think all 

things train related play a part in keeping the hobby going and all of you have

my thanks. Wish I had an award for all of you.

I agree with David's point, but I didn't take Eric's comments as being so terribly harsh or critical of others.  It's also certainly reasonable to agree with Eric's points about better use of the internet,  and still agree with MTH's awards to the high profile, active clubs. 

It's also reasonable to agree that in asking for the award for himself, in order to call attention to the need for additional internet activity, which is certainly justified, that he was undiplomatic in his criticizing the previous awards.  I doubt he meant to personally disrespect those clubs, but in his ardor to express his points, that is how some have understandably interpreted his comments. 

Perhaps an apology and restatement of goals is in order. The hobby and industry need BOTH the clubs and the Erics of this world to spread the gospel, and Lionel, MTH, etc. need to increase the breadth and depth of their internet presence. 

I think some of the self-labeled "dinosaurs" (their word, not mine) on this forum are making too much ado about the one word "cringe" that was used. Maybe if Eric had written in his original post that he was "slightly taken aback" or something similar instead of the word "cringe", this whole discussion would be moot. So let's all agree that this year's blue whatchamacallit winner is well deserved and if Eric and his supporters, and I include myself among them, want to nominate him for 2014, what's wrong with that? IMO - nothing!

Some on here just have a permanent axe to grind, with anything, at anytime.  Better to just ignore those.

Eric provides a valuable service and I don't think any apology is necessary for his part.  I took the cringe remark for what he meant it as, which is the fact the manufacturers with awarding the same type of organization every year fail to see the bigger picture.  Context is everything, without it we understand nothing.

well said

Eric,

Actually, that DID happen for many years during the Stevie Wonder era (1960's and 1970's for those of you who weren't around then).  Anytime Stevie was nominated for an award, he won (and rightly so).  The difference being... we never heard the other nominees cringing "Why not me?" or "Uggh... the same person always wins."  -- at least not publicly.  Instead, the more seasoned veterans who were nominated multiple times but never won when Stevie was nominated, would make light of it in later years by thanking Stevie for not being nominated anymore when they finally did win (and Stevie was no longer making the music inroads he did earlier).   It became a standard part of many award acceptance speeches years later. Namely, "I first want to thank Stevie Wonder for not being nominated this year." 

The difference is subtle, but it's all a matter of style and saying something in a very disarming manner.  That's all I'm sayin'.  It's a skill that folks hone after garnishing a few bruises and battle scars along the road of life.  

Continue on with the great work!  What you've accomplished thus far is bigger than the award.  The recognition will come in due course... and perhaps in a very unique way.

David

I locked this thread earlier, but have unlocked it at Eric's (e-mail) request.

Another reason he is right is because if you take children to the train show the folks with the tables cringe when your kids come near and you get hard looks if they dare act like children and touch something.  No amount of "don't touch" can overcome the small child's desire to feel what they see.  At train shows my children are often discouraged unless it is the Thomas table they have set up as if all kids should flock to that and not want what their dad has, electric trains.  Thomas is fine for a two year old, nut after that they want to run electric.  Mine love to watch the online videos I pull up to get layout ideas or product videos before buying a locomotive etc. 

quote:

Another reason he is right is because if you take children to the train show the folks with the tables cringe when your kids come near and you get hard looks if they dare act like children and touch something.

SO... Your kids can touch the trains they see online?

I put Eric in for the blue comet award 2 years ago and never heard anything back about it. I think I have commented on his videos a few times that he would be very deserving of the award. When it comes down to it he is the reason that I branched out from just getting the trains out at christmas every year to dedicating half my basement to them. Mainly he cleared up unknowns for me, by showing me how to do things that I otherwise would not know how to do. I only subscribe to a handful of youtube channels, and if I had to rank them, he would be number 1. Every morning I get up, pour the coffee, then head straight to youtube to see if he posted a new video. His videos have directly influenced me to purchase many items, totaling thousands of dollars.

Ive also said this before and I will say it again, if I was in charge of Atlas, Lionel, MTH, Weaver.... it would be my goal to hire Eric and have him run my company Youtube Channel, putting out videos of every product. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

Naturally no, the point is they enjoy the videos and are not rudely treated like they are at a train show.  Even my wife now hates to go to train shows since she too is treated with rude looks and tone by vendors who assume no one but old folks want to buy or van afford to buy their so called expensive things. 

"I would just like to work with them on promoting their stuff."

Sounds like an offer they shouldn't refuse .  On the other hand....

Both MTH and Lionel use volunteer, unpaid beta testers and have employed other types of unpaid consumer advocates (The Lionel Ambassadors), and I see no reason why they wouldn't want to work with you, although they tend to want to have users who are focused only on their products. They like to have full control of their message, understandably.  My guess is that MTH hasn't awarded a Blue Comet trophy to a club that is exclusively Lionel, and Lionel probably wouldn't give any awards to a club that wasn't focused on their message.  Just the realities of business and marketing.

The best reason for Eric to keep doing what he's doing so well is that he believes in it and it gives him pleasure and satisfaction.  I wouldn't be surprised if Lionel or MTH sent him a product for review, but I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't either.  Unless he was prepared to focus exclusively on that company's products.  Which would kind of defeat the purpose of having someone who is perceived as just a hobbyist and completely without bias.  This is more complex, I believe, than it might seem on the surface.