WGH LTD - Transportation Engineering Ltd was a British company that manufactured and supplied different types of amusement rides, funicular railways, inclined lift systems, and other transport systems over a 27 year period.
History
Founded by Andrew Howarth,[1] John Martin and Tony Brown. The company started as Closechase Ltd[2] from February 1989 until April 1989, then was renamed to Whitley, Geddes & Howarth Ltd from 1989 until 1991.[3]
The managing directors of WGH Ltd previously worked for Gyro Mining Transport (GMT)[4] from 1977 until 1989 when they sold the firm to Hunslet Engineering Company,[5][6] based in Leeds, UK due to the decline of the mining industry in the United Kingdom.
Andrew Howarth was approached by Mimafab Ltd in 1985[7] who introduced him to the business of leisure and amusement attractions while working for GMT at the time. Shortly after, GMT[8] worked with Mimafab Ltd, who then became MERIDIAN (MOTIONEERING) LTD,[9] to produce two log flume attractions together for Camelot Theme Park[10] in Chorley, UK and Rotunda Amusement Park in Folkstone, UK.
In 2002, WGH Ltd partnered with South Korean company POSCO to create a concept and design a new environmentally friendly public transport automated transport system that would later be known as the Personal Rapid Transit (PRT).[11] In 2005, they officially registered the company VECTUS Ltd,[12] and Andrew Howarth would take on the role as company director. The first PRT system was first tested in Uppsala, Sweden in 2006. In 2007 the PRT vehicle concept was given a safety approval from the Swedish Rail Agency. Andrew Howarth resigned as company director in May 2006.[13]
In late November 2009, the Dreamland Trust were given a grant[14] to restore the Scenic Railway as well as the rest of the park at Dreamland Margate, in Kent, England, after it was victim to arson in 2008.[15] In 2014, Thanet District Council contracted WGH Ltd to rebuild the trains and the rides mechanical systems,[16] while Topbond Plc were contracted to rebuild the wooden structure. The Scenic Railway reopened to the public on 15 October 2015.[17]
In March 2016, it was reported that WGH Ltd was acquired by Stage One Creative Services Ltd,[18][19] a York based company who specialises in the stage and entertainment industry.[20] Many of the staff moved on to work for Stage One Creative Services Ltd and other companies within the amusement industry such as Garmendale Engineering.[21]
Dragon's Apprentice @ Legoland Windsor Resort, UK | 1999 | W553Jellikins Coaster @ Fantasy Island Resort, UK | 1996 | W360Log Flume @ Fantasy Island Resort, UK | 1995 | W316Rhombus Rocket @ Fantasy Island Resort, UK | 1995 | W315
Roller coasters
Between 1995 and 2004, WGH Ltd built 6 roller coasters, ranging between mini coasters, custom-terrain, and powered roller coasters.
Builders plate for W466, Spook Express @ Joyland Children's Park, UKThe Magic Seaquirum @ Fantasy Island Resort, UK | 1995 | W317Fairy Tale Brook @ Legoland Windsor Resort, UK | 1996 | W314
Water rides
WGH Ltd supplied a range of different type of water rides including tub rides (small round boat rides), log flumes, and themed boat rides.
Time Ride @ Jorvik Viking Centre, York | 2001 | W636Big River Ride @ Watermouth Castle, UK | 2001 | W347Balloon School @ Legoland Windsor Resort, UK | 1999 | W555Wallace & Gromit: Thrill-O-Matic @ Blackpool Pleasure Beach, UK | 2013 | W1294Close up of mechanical components for Jorvik Viking Centre's Time Ride | 2001 | W636
Tracked rides, suspended monorails and other rides
WGH Ltd also supplied track-based rides ranging from ground models and suspended monorails.
Former The Flume (1981-2015) sat backstage at Alton Towers | 2004 | W950The Dragon @ Legoland Windsor Resort, UK | 1998 | W381Cactus Canyon boats @ Botton's Pleasure Beach, UK | 1997 | W416Jellikins Coaster @ Fantasy Island Resort, UK | 1996 | W360Running wheels and guide wheels for Rhombus Rocket (W315)Log Flume @ Fantasy Island Resort, UK | 1995 | W316
Other projects
As well as supplying and manufacturing leisure attractions, WGH Ltd were also involved in projects that involved modifications, refurbishments, extensions and other cosmetic work to existing leisure attractions.
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