Dallas Childrens’ Hospital G Gauge layout is saved

Saved.  For now........

And thanks to all who signed the petition! (As an aside, layouts like this in public places serve as wonderful publicity for the hobby.)

Here's the story from Channel 5 in Dallas:

"Children's Medical Center in Dallas announced Friday that the hospital's iconic trainscape will in fact stay and will be incorporated into the hospital's lobby.

The hospital recently announced that the trainscape would be removed to make way for what they call a "family-centric" support space.

When 8-years-old Janelle Tole heard about the plans, she launched a change.org petition to keep the trains, that has since gathered more than 52,000 signatures.

Tole battled Leukemia at Children's and won. She said it was the train display that motivated her through years of painful procedures.

"Being able to see them and see them go through the different tunnels and come out in different places, it's like these trains are going somewhere, I can go somewhere, too, said Tole.

On Friday, the hospital released a statement about the trains saying, "We are humbled by the heartfelt response we’ve received about our beloved Trainscape. We have decided to incorporate the trains within the lobby of Children’s Medical Center Dallas. We have been contemplating updating our lobby, and this offers an opportunity to include the trains within this space. We look forward to sharing details in the future once they are defined. We are fortunate to play an integral role in the North Texas community and beyond, and are grateful for the thoughts and memories shared with us this week.” – Keri Kaiser, Senior VP of Marketing & Communications, Children’s Health"

So, they will put inhealing retail outlets and tear out the current layout in favor of a new smaller version- Only a message from a VP ??- the board doesn't care

It’s all about the $$$.

I'm sure many of us would love to see some pictures of the layout in its original configuration if such are available.

So glad to hear the news. I hope they can include some history as well.

Lion L

rkenney posted:

I'm sure many of us would love to see some pictures of the layout in its original configuration if such are available.

There is a YouTube video link in the other thread started by Paul Kallus a few days ago:

Link

-Dave

Let me preface this by saying the current layout at Children's is wonderful.  I've even helped, years ago, with some upkeep/repairs.

That being said:  The original article and petition was a bit disingenuous, seemingly slanted to give the impression that the only reason the layout is going way is to put in a Starbucks.   That is not true.

The entire area between the two main building at Children's (part of which houses the current layout) is going thru a major overhaul.  Everything in that area is going away or moving.

Children's is a wonderful medical center for kids.    After years of fundraising, they currently have the ability for capital expenditures to bring the "relaxing" part of the medical center into modern times.

The play area, that some here have typed with disdain, is going to be a fully adaptive area with appropriate areas for all abilities, so that ALL kids can enjoy getting out of the corridors and play outside.

There are going to be quiet areas,areas for kids with sensory issues,  areas for families to picnic with their children/patients, new foliage to get rid of the concrete jungle, and so forth.  

The hospital went to an an outside vendor (Starbucks) to take the strain off the current cafeteria, and to provide a closer place for those enjoying the new surroundings to get snacks, etc.     Regardless if the visitors go to the hospital cafeteria or the coming Starbucks, they're still paying.   Most of the major medical centers around the DFW area have a Starbucks within.  It's not like a regular Starbucks, they are more cafeteria style than the typical stand alone locations.  All in all, Children's is basically adding a second cafeteria to handle the growth.

The entirety of the new grounds at Children's is going to be wonderful.

I am glad the petition was able to have the board look at reincorporating the layout.

As far as the news: they didn't really interview current families with kids there who increasingly say this new type of outdoor area is needed.

So maybe we can back off a bit about the big bad "suits"

Here’s a photo of my tv screen this morning 

Excellent picture.