Zamperla, a leading ride manufacturer, has launched a new collection of family rides at Union Station in St. Louis, Missouri.
Previously the city’s railway terminal, Union Station is now an indoor/outdoor entertainment area with attractions that draw both residents and tourists.
As part of its expansion, it selected Zamperla to provide a new collection of rides, which includes a Compact Spinning Coaster 123, a Galleon, and a Flying Carousel.
Brian O’Loughlin, vice president of Lodging Hospitality Management (LHM), says: "Working with Zamperla on designing and opening the new rides was a smooth process.
"They listened to our ideas and helped us come up with amusements that would complement the existing attractions, appreciate St. Louis’ history and fit the footprint available in the Wheel Park.
"The final result is a seamless, colorful and exciting space that offers a lot of entertainment for our visitors."
Broadening appeal
The Compact Spinning Coaster 123, named 'Loco Motion', offers an hourly capacity of 370 riders and can accommodate visitors from 90 cm (36 in) tall. It has a total track length of 123 m (403 ft), with a maximum height of 5.1 m (16.5 ft).
The Galleon 42 is known as 'Flying Louie', and the Flying Carousel 64 is named 'Wave Swinger'.
Ramon Rosario, director of sales at Zamperla, says: "The park asked us to lean into St. Louis history for the theming and design.
"The Compact Spinning Coaster is a nod the city’s history as a rail hub, the Galleon recognizes the steamships that ran up and down the Mississippi, and the Flying Carousel is a celebration of the 1904 World’s Fair."
The expansion was master-planned and designed by PGAV Destinations, based in St. Louis.
"The St. Louis Wheel has been a prominent landmark of St. Louis and Union Station for the past six years," says Andrew Schumacher, architect at PGAV Destinations.
"The expansion further activates the outdoor space with rides that extend the experience and broaden the appeal to teens with thrilling new attractions."
The new rides expand the park's lineup of attractions, which include a 50-metre Ferris Wheel and a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. This location, situated near major professional sports facilities, is a popular entertainment destination for visitors from across the Midwest.
"It was great to hear the laughter and happy screams from St. Louis residents and visitors when they experienced the Wave Swinger, Flying Louie pirate ship and the Loco Motion spinning coaster for the first time," says O’Loughlin.
"St. Louis has really embraced these exciting additions to the Wheel Park."
Earlier this year, Parc Spirou in France began building its new Naruto-themed area, inspired by the Japanese manga series and home to a new family launch coaster by Zamperla.
