March 2010
"The Temple" Legoland, Denmark
Over the winter period UK Loco Ltd have been busy creating all the scenic elements for the new dark ride at Legoland, Billund in Denmark " The Temple" is the major new attraction for 2010.
"The Temple" is an ancient Egyptian experience where you and your family take a wild ride through the dark in your own jeep, equipped with torch lazers hunting for hidden treasure, but beware of earthquakes, villains and live mummies lurking in the dark.
UK Loco Ltd produced all of the animated and static figures,props and scenes.
Legoland Windsor, Pirate Falls Dynamite Drench
UK Loco Ltd have just built and installed a further addition to the ride by introducing 4 interactive water canons mounted on shipwreck and a floating crate, the canons can be operated by the guests in the park from the dockside viewing area. "Lego" push buttons are mounted on to the barrels which enable children to drench the Pirate Falls riders during there journey. The barrels are placed either side of "ye old" ships mast which was also supplied and built by UK Loco Ltd.
June 2009
The London Eye, "Project Isis"
BBC News, Midlands Today : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8131695.stm
The Advertisng Capsule leaves UK Loco Ltd on its maiden voyage to The London Eye.
London, 25th June 2009: The London Eye today kicked off the first phase of the recently announced £12.5 million upgrade of the UK's number one paid for visitor attraction. Launching last night, the South Bank saw the removal of the first of the wheel's 32 10 tonne capsules. It began the 183 mile journey to be upgraded in Worcestershire, travelling along the Thames on a schedule to accommodate the changing tides. The capsule was unpinned from the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel and then lowered onto a floating pontoon positioned underneath the tourist attraction ready to start its travels.
May 2009
The London Eye, "Project Isis"
The London Eye Company :"We are really pleased to be working with UK Loco on this very exciting £12.5 million pound project. We take all our partnerships and associations very seriously in order to offer the best quality, safety and visitor experience possible. We have worked with UK Loco on other projects within the group before and are therefore confident that they are the best company for the job and know that they are just as excited about working on this fantastic project as we are."
£12.5m investment sees The London Eye looking to the future
London, 18 May 2009: Today the London Eye is announcing an investment of around £12.5 million in upgrading the UK’s number one paid-for visitor attraction, the biggest investment since it opened in 2000. Having already welcomed over 33 million visitors, and with impeccable customer satisfaction feedback, the iconic attraction – which has come to represent London worldwide - is looking to continue this positive track record even further. With this significant investment, the world’s largest cantilevered observation wheel is being further ‘future proofed’ to maintain its position on the Southbank for many years to come.
By removing and upgrading one (of the 32) capsules at a time, this project will improve their functionality, capabilities and longevity and, ultimately, enhance the customer experience. The programme commences this summer to be completed in time for the London 2012 Olympics, and will not interrupt normal operation of the attraction.
As one of the UK’s most iconic landmarks, the London Eye remains committed to investing in domestic tourism at a time when an increasing number of Brits are choosing to holiday on their own shores rather than travel abroad.
Planning for this project began in 2005, following the removal and thorough analysis of a capsule to examine the effects of five years of business and explore what could be done to improve both the experience for visitors and the longevity and reduction in carbon footprint of the London Eye. This significant investment in the future of the London Eye means that no major maintenance works will be necessary on the capsules for the next 15 - 20 years.
A number of upgrades will be made to each capsule in addition to a minor visual facelift. As a direct result of customer feedback, the existing heating and ventilation system (HVAC) will be upgraded to a more efficient, environmentally friendly one. In addition, one of the upgraded capsules will have increased technological functions, which all other capsules will be built to support in the future. The advanced capsule will include four ceiling mounted screens and enhanced multi-media and wi-fi capabilities enabling the capsule to provide music and on-screen visuals.
‘Commenting David Sharpe, Divisional Director of London Midway attractions at Merlin Entertainments Group, owner of the London Eye, said:
‘This investment is a clear demonstration of Merlin Entertainments’, commitment to constantly investing in upgrading our attractions, and to delivering the best possible experience to visitors. This will ensure the London Eye operates at maximum efficiency and is cutting down its carbon footprint well into the future.’
‘Merlin believes that investment is more important than ever in the current economic climate when both local and international visitors to attractions like the London Eye are looking for real value for their leisure pound. Investments like these are also very important in the leisure and tourism industry in the UK as a whole, especially with the Olympics coming to London in 2012’ he continues. ‘It is important to remind people of all the exciting things there are to see and do not only in the capital, but the country as a whole.’
Mayor of London Boris Johnson says 'Our city has an unrivalled range of unique attractions that draw people from across the world and the much loved London Eye is one of the most recognisable. This investment is fantastic news and underlines the commitment there is to ensuring the capital will be at its best and ready to welcome record numbers of visitors when we host the 2012 Games.'
Sandie Dawe, Acting Chief Executive at VisitBritain comments: ‘We are thrilled to hear of this significant investment from the London Eye, one of the UK’s top attractions, and look forward to seeing the results.
‘This is exactly what we need to help get people excited about our country and what Britain has to offer to both domestic and international visitors. With the Olympics just three years away, this is the kind of investment that we hope to be seeing across the whole country,’ she continues.
As each capsule is removed, it will travel down the Thames to Silvertown in London’s docklands where it will be loaded onto a truck and transported to UK Loco Ltd in Worcestershire to be upgraded before returning to the London Eye. A non-operational capsule will take position on the London Eye until the final capsule is returned. This project will serve to reduce downtime and maintenance on the London Eye though it will continue to close for a short period in January to perform routine maintenance.
Fraispertuis Park, France
Fraipertuis Park in France opened its new "Coup de Canons" pirate boat ride in May this year. UK Loco Ltd manufactured and installed 8 scenic and interactive elements around the ride. Elements included various themed rafts, mechanical shark, gibbet and dock crane and a themed sandy desert island, all populated with numerous props.
March 2009
Alton Towers , Cloud Cuckoo Land and Cred Street
Alton Towers opened Cloud Cuckoo Land and Cred Street for their new season in March 2009. UK Loco Ltd produced the main Cloud Cuckoo Land sign as well as other key elements for Cred Street, a childrens magical garden and a giant Octopus for photo opportunities in their new Sealife Centre.
Europa Park, Germany
UK Loco Ltd manufactured two large steel signs for Europa Park for one of their themed ball rooms
February 2009
Paignton Zoo takes tiger viewing to a new level
Visitors to Paignton Zoo Environmental Park now have an even better view of the rare Sumatran Tigers thanks to a new high-rise viewing platform. UK Loco Ltd designed and fabricated, a tree house style viewing platform. The main platform is 3.8 meters' high and has a steel frame clad in timber: the approach ramp is 19 meters' long and built of wood. The platform itself has an area of 29 square meters' and features a full colour three dimensional tiger emerging from one wall.
September 2008
The Fashion House Outlet Centre takes delivery of a new Dotto P90 Locomotive
The Fashion House Outlet Centre in Sosnoweic, Poland have taken delivery of their first Dotto P90 Locomotive.
August 2008
Bournemouth takes delivery of new eco-friendly Dotto Land Train
Dotto's new eco-friendly land train is going to be running along Bournemouth seafront this summer. It expected to carry around 38 thousand passengers this year, and will use less fuel and give out less polution thanks to their new VM Euro lV Engine.
Chris Saunders, Business Development Manager commented of the new addition to Bournemouth, "This new Dotto land train will be another great attraction in Bournmouth for all to enjoy this summer. Our famous land trains offer spectacular views across Britain's best beach. They offer an ideal way to explore everything the seafront has to offer. With site work on Europe's first artificial surf reef commencing shortly, a train trip to Boscombe is a must.
July 2008
Mangroves: Roots of the Sea
Mangroves: The Roots of the Sea will be Britain’s first major exhibit based on a mangrove swamp habitat. It opened in Torquay on the Living Coasts’ fifth birthday in July and features giant aquarium tanks containing over 20 new species.
Living Coast Director Elaine Hayes explained: “When you leave the upper area you will descend into a mangrove forest. Filled with firefly, bats, flying fox and proboscis monkey models that will react with sound and lighting effects when people walk by, down into an underworld of roots and foliage. You will be immersed in the mangroves, exploring the swamp and discovering exotic species as you go.”
UK Loco's involvement included, set design and construction of all the themed elements, mangrove trees, carved animals, murals, bespoke radial decking and in-tank theming for the stingray and crab tanks
New Dotto Train is just the ticket
Euro lV, Four litre, six cylinders and a turbo charged are phrases normally associated with sports cars, not Torquay’s new Dotto Land Train. Torquay’s Mayor Nick Bye unveiled the new all-weather Dotto at Torquay’s Town Hall with train owner Chris Griffin.
He said “The new train has a six cylinder, four litre, turbo charged engine, with four wheel drive and air suspension to smoothen the ride. With Torquay being hilly the old one used to struggle but this one would go up Everest!"
The new Dotto train, which has onboard commentary about Torquay, arrived from Italy earlier this month and is in service ferrying passengers around the resort. The new Dotto train will be operating around Torquay throughout the summer.
March 2008
"Battle Galleons, Alton Towers"
Alton Towers opened a fantastical new pirate-themed land especially for families in March 2008 named Mutiny Bay. The principal ride Battle Galleons, an interactive water attraction set to challenge all ages.
Aboard the eight Galleons, wannabe swashbucklers will take part in a fun-filled splash ride ! UK Loco Ltd were responsible for the production and installation of all the themed interactive elements, which included a rotating shark swimming around a raft, desert islands, dock cranes, a sinking rowing boat, pirate figures and a fort of canons.
April 2008
Islamabad, Pakistan take delivery of first two Dotto trains
The Capital Development Authority in Islamabad took delivery of their first two Dotto trains in April. They will be in service to carry passengers around there newly developed LAke Rawal area. The CDA have spent considerable time and money developing the area to make it an important attraction in Islamabad, a further two trains will also arrive in the late autumn for the Magala Hills a leisure and wildlife area which over looks the city.
