Company Profile FUN FACT
While its core expertise is in moving people whether on rubber tyres or steel wheels, tracked vehicles are the backbone of Severn Lamb. It is the only company in the world to have designed and manufactured track trains from 7 1/4” gauge, like you might find in garden railways, through to standard gauge, the same gauge as mainline heavy rail trains.
Tradition Vs Technology? There is a huge focus on immersive technology in the industry at the moment, and I’m keen to understand whether this has presented a more traditional company like Severn Lamb with challenges, or opportunities. “To date I’m pleased to say opportunities,” says Patrick. “We have found that our services and products complement or even enhance the VR experience. An example is the award winning Derren Brown Ghost Train at Thorpe Park where we were responsible for the ride system, providing near replica London underground carriages, and all the track and control systems. Equally we are currently working on a project where we are providing four replica subway train carriages for another immersive experience. Whereas we don’t supply the VR systems themselves, working with partners that do allows us to create award winning guest and ride experiences.”
Global reach Severn Lamb has clients all over the world. “Based on the niche nature of our products and services we are prepared to work wherever the opportunities present themselves,” says Patrick. In fact, the company has in the past been one of the UK’s biggest exporters: “During our 70 year history we have worked in well over 40 different countries starting to export from early in the 60s. During recent years while servicing countries from all continents we have seen a particular growth from India and then more recently China and South Korea. Ecoland, Jeju, South Korea operates eight of our 144 capacity Lincoln trains- more than any other one single operator.” A key element to the company’s products and
services, is that it works with operators and clients to meet their requirements and needs, rather than just offering an off the shelf standard product. “On each occasion we build a relationship with our clients, we take time to understand their requirements, while at the same time offering our views and opinions, based on many years of experience in different countries and cross sectors of different industries, to enhance the overall deliverable. For example, I recollect working with Caves of Barbados in designing and delivering a fleet of electric underground tour trams where we ensured the seat pitch provided the optimal viewing experience of the natural underground wonders.”
FEBRUARY 2019 27
Working with new parks and attractions The company recently supplied three high-tech battery electric Texan rail trains to the new Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park. For this show-piece ride, the three trains wind round the park’s Snow Mountain providing an exhilarating view of the Polar Ocean Kingdom. Patrick explains, “the challenges in this instance were the uphill and downhill grades that the trains had to achieve while also, due to the elevated nature of the ride, meeting the Chinese Monorail Standards while behaving like a traditional rail train.” By listening to the client and applying the kind of engineering excellence the company is renowned for, this was achieved. “Our powerful battery electric drive train coupled with additional braking and automatic train control systems accomplished this with capacity to spare,” he says. Late last year the company also revealed that it
had produced four, battery electric Double Deck Trolleys for a new developer in Egypt, which, says Patrick is a great example of how we cross different industry sectors,”. He tells me that the trolleys are being used to provide a fun experience for all the
family in a new shopping development in New Cairo, Egypt. The four differently coloured electric trolley’s will be operating on a 1.8km loop around the lake in the centre of the shopping mall. “We have provided a complete turnkey package including the supply and installation of the track and trolleys,” he says, I also ask Patrick about the three highly themed
battery electric Lincoln based rail trains he is supplying to a new park in Qatar. “This is a particularly exciting project and really demonstrates our versatility and creativity. We have combined the battery electric rolling chassis of one of our iconic western American rail trains with a custom-built body to allow the train to take the look of a 1950s oil tanker. It might sound crazy, but the finished look of the vehicle is amazing. Its planned for delivery in 2020 and we can’t wait to show it off.” As our conversation comes to an end, Patrick tells
me that what he loves most about his job is the diversity. “Whether it be our clients across different cultures and countries, or new challenges such as higher passenger capacities or technically challenging ride layouts, or exciting never done before theming, no week, month or year is the ever the same,” he says. “We strive on meeting these challenges head on, working with our clients to create long term relationships to realise their dreams. Life at Severn Lamb is never boring!!”
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80
