MTH ELECTRIC TRAINS

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Blue Comet Award, “given annually to the person or organization who does the most to promote the O gauge hobby to the general public.” Like many of you, we recognize the urgent need to attract new, younger participants to O gauge — both adults and children — to keep our scale alive and vibrant. This contest has allowed us to discover and celebrate the amazing work that clubs and individuals around the country are doing to publicize our hobby and share the enjoyment it brings us. For 2014, we’re delighted to announce two cowinners of the Blue Comet Award, the Rappahannock Model Railroaders of Fredericksburg, Virginia and the FCTT HiRailers of Rochester, New York, as well as a runner-up, the Bergen County Model Railroad Club of Hillsdale, New Jersey. What this year’s co-winners have in common is a huge commitment of time and effort to taking the show on the road — bringing the fun of O gauge railroading to locations beyond the usual train show circuit, reaching audiences at venues as diverse as elementary schools, craft shows, public libraries and state fairs. Both groups also demonstrated a dedication to community service, setting up layouts in nursing homes and senior living centers where seeing the trains brought back happy memories for elderly residents. And as residents of the Chapel Oaks Senior Living Center told the FCTT HiRailers, knowing the trains were coming brought their grandchildren in for a visit.