Just posted today at http://www.dunhamstudios.com/cititour.htm. Apparently Citigroup is not renewing the contract. This may be the last time thousands will see this great exhibit.
So go quickly.
It may not be common knowledge but Citicorp has experienced 61 billion dollars of losses form bad mortgages. So their withdrawal from this really should come as no surprise. While we may not like the fact that they are withdrawing from this project, realize that when faced with the choice of additional unemployed former bank employees or the elimination of this project, I would have to choose the elimination of this project.
Irv
But there is a ripple effect. What about the people who operate the layout, the owner of the layout, the technicians who make sure the layout is ready ect. When you consider the numbe of Advertising impressions the produces for Cigigroup this is very inexpensive advertising.
That may be true but since it isn’t a quantifiable item that contributes significantly to the bottom line, it can be and is being dumped. SUre, you might call it short term thinking but that is exactly how big business in the US operates today. If they didn’t how many people would be driving Hondas, Toyotas and Nissans?
I think we Americans have lost out on lots of stuff because US corporations aren’t willing to go the extra mile to keep existing customers and attract new customers. Part of the problem is a lack of the innovative spirit and new blood in the board rooms and executive suite of those same corporations.
Irv
But to what degree does the display cause people to decide to do business with Citi?
I’d guess it is a neglible amount. If that’s the case, it does no good at all as an advertising element.
The display is, essentially, a gift to the commmunity that Citi can no longer afford.
The repercussions of this are immense. Thousands come from beyond the city limits just to see this exhibit, so, it has an effect on the business in the area. If you recall a few years ago the exhibit was canceled and the Station went to Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. Oh by the way some heads rolled at Citigroup back then because of the bad publicity. But since then the whole management team has changed.
Perhaps I am in a small grinch-like minority but I don’t really think that this is much of a loss. I just dont get excited by seeing a mish-mash of trains of various gauges all running in simple loops 
Mossier Grinch
Now you are crossing fact with preference. Something I understand. But the Station has at least 3 separate looks. NYC Section, Generic and the Logging Loop, and the Adirondacks Snow Scene, as well as, the Lower O and S gauge where most small children focus since that is at their eye level. I find many adults totally miss the O Gauge along with the S Gauge and focus on the HO. Here is a link to my personal web site for the Station. http://thestation.shutterfly.com/. with pictures that were taken during setup. Us the pictures as you wish.
Even if you don’t like the 3 different gauge system you might by studding the layout an idea to incorporate into your personal layout. Dunham Studios is not secretive about how they do their projects. But what they have is the collection of talented people to offer a client a custom layout that they want. With or without multi gauge layouts.
I don’t think the situation is the same this time because Citigroup management may have little to say or do this time. THey are getting $25 billion in rescue funds but that $36 billion in losses that won’t be covered from anywhere. Besides there are conditions for getting the $25 billion and they include cutting operating and others expenses to the bone and sometimes even further.
Sure, business in the area will suffer because people who would not ordinarily gon into Manhattan won’t go. That will reduce ridership on the subways and buses that bring folks into the city. It’ll also make NYC an even less attractive place to visit during the holidays because there is little else that one can take kids to that they will enjoy. But them the MTA is trying cut service and raise prices anyway.
Irv
In a city of, what eight million, you give one train layout a whole lot of economic impact there.
I have to agree with Corsair 7 in that so much of the U.S. industry is geared toward short term profit that sometimes carries with it, high risk.
I am surprised that Chrysler would bring back a car such as the Challenger in all of its horsepower packages that attacts a small market segment. The amount of money in tooling itself, has to be astronomical not to mention design and marketing. I think I will hold on to my restored 68’ Camaro.
Larry
Off topic: Well ya’know, this is Chrysler, who’s only close-to fuel efficient vehicle, the PT Cruiser is what… going on 9 years old design?[%-)]
Sorry but to me Chrysler is the King of Detroit Dinosaurs that doesnt have a clue about whats going on in the real world, sad to say but I really doubt they will survive the next year with their collective corporate heads shoved seamingly permanently up a certain orifice…[tdn]
On topic: back to the layout, while its a mish mash, it is a display its not intended to be an operations layout is it? So it functions for what it designed to do, bring people inside and engage them, and for that it looks by the crowds that it succeeded in spades![:P]
To me it reminds me an awefull lot of the layout built for “Superman Returns”[:D]
This is referred to as “Institutional” advertising, i.e. it sells the company but not any product.
There is an old adage in the ad biz: Institutional advertising is akin to wetting your pants. It makes you feel warm all over – but, nobody knows you are doing it.
Since the original poster is an employee of Dunham Studios, he may be referring to the repercussions to his personal finances. Other than that, the overall impact is probably pretty small.
You really can’t consider me an employee of Dunham Studios, I am an independant contractor of Dunham Studios. I earn less the $1000.00 per year from this client.
I myself am one of the staff at the Station at Citigroup Center. I am also a local NYC area modeler. I would like to add a few things to this discussion. To suggest that we on the staff are posting because we “want to keep our jobs” is ridiculous. It’s not about the money. I’d be doing something else (I freelance) if it weren’t for the trains. It’s about CONNETING with people. It’s about getting the NEXT GENERATION interested in model trains.
It’s also about goodwill. To suggest that Citigroup is saving money by eliminating the trains is like suggesting that the best way to lighten a dangerously overloaded airplane is to empty the ashtrays (or eliminate the barf bags, as people can’t smoke on flights anymore). In other words, the savings is minimal. On the other hand, those running corporate America have a very bad image in the eyes of the average New Yorker. These corporate leaders, in the opinion of many I have sopken with as well as my own, are part of a culture which has yet to justify its salaries, bonuses, and perks. The expense of displaying the Station at Citigroup Center is not a “drop in the bucket”…it is MIST.
Those trying to justify Citigroup’s decision are missing an important point. The GOODWILL generated by hosting a free exhibit might save Citigroup more money in the long run (and perhaps even in the short term) then cancelling the exhibit. I’ve already heard people’s intentions to cancel their Citigroup accounts upon hearing the news (though I imagine cancelling the trains is more of a “last straw” than a primary reason to cancel an account). On the other hand, a gesture of goodwill, no matter how small, will often work wonders. People MIGHT be more sympathetic to and even supportive of Citigroup in their time of trouble if they knew that the free exhibit would remain.
That having been said, there is always the chance that they will have a change of heart as 2009 progresses and they begin getting their act back together. It DID happen to Scrooge, after al
You are correct, but often decisions like this are made solely on economics and while the amount involved may be small potatos it does represent a kind of thinking that pervades corporate America. If they can get rid of this expense then it shows the res of the employees that they can cut a lot of other small things. Besides there may be another explanation that doesn’t have to do with money but also something that most financial people are very aware of.
Risk is a part of every investment managers life. While there is no risk inherent from the Station, it does introduce another risk which anyone familiar with 9/11/01 is very aware of. The Station is in the basement of Citicorp Center and any visitors to this show does present a security risk since they have access to the building. So anyone wishing to create a problem gets entry to the facility where alot of damage can be done especially to one of NYC’s biggest companies. Abd the fact that the building is adjacent to the Lexington Ave/53rd Street subway station could make it even more dangerous and potentially to very large claims against CitiCorp itself should anything happen to someone falling down the stairs or even causing worse conditions to exist.
So while the finacial investment in the show may be small, the other risks could be bank breaking.
But let’s look another “gift” given to NYC by CitiCorp. Along with visiting the Station yesterday, I also managed to look into Bryant Park. NOw for those who don’t recognize that name, this Park is just behind the 42nd Street Branch of the NY Public Library. At this time of the year the Park is filled with kiosks selling all kind of stuff to anyone who wants to buy. In the center of the park is giant skating rink sponsored by CitiCorp. Yet I don’t hear of them eliminating this even though probably costs only a little more for them to do it.
Irv
As long as you’re talking perception, the big ol’ Citi logos on this magnificent display must be like a slap in the face to an employee they laid off to save the company money.
As a former Dunham Studios sub contractor, and having worked on this layout a few times, I will miss it. It’s doesn’t do much good being stored and packed away up in Pottersville, NY.
It’s really something to watch the look of amazement on the viewers’ faces both young and old, it reminds me of the days of the Macy’s display, which is one of the major inspirations in my model railroading life as it was for thousands of others and the Citibank/group Station layout has served the same purpose.
And for you rivet counters, the use of multiple scales on this layout is very creative and not really obvious. The craftsmanship and talent that went into this (and many other DS layouts) has to be seen to really be appreciated.
Merry Christmas to Clark & Barbara! Jay Moynihan.
I don’t care what anybody says, I liked the display. I just wish I had the cash with me to buy the Dunham Studio’s video about the layout wiht me when I went this past Tuesday. I am happy I went especially since this is the last year it’ll be there. I am not going into Manhattan just to see it again and buy the video. If I had something else to do there before it closes on January 2, 2009 I would go see it again but at this point it ain’t gonna happen.
As for the rivet counters, some people need to get lives.
Irv