Preston & Barbieri was founded in 2000 when two Italian manufacturers – Preston and Barbieri Rides merged. Barbieri Rides was founded in Italy in 1954 and initially specialised in the production of bumper cars. The company soon began increasing their product range offering other traditional attractions such as Ferris Wheels and Carousels. Preston was a consortium consisting of amusement industry business people. Following the merger in 2000, Preston & Barbieri’s large portfolio nowadays contains 50 different ride types. In 2009, Preston & Barbieri purchased the technical drawings from defunct Italian ride company L&T Systems.
Preston & Barbieri’s First Coaster
The first coaster created by Barbieri was Cosmic Coaster, a Wacky Worm children’s coaster at World’s of Fun, Kansas, USA. Cosmic Coaster opened in 1993 and was originally called “Wacky Worm”. The park changed the name in 2001.
The first coaster to be built by the then-newly formed Preston & Barbieri was another Wacky Worm at Sofia Land in Bulgaria.
Preston & Barbieri’s Product Range
DOUBLE RACE
The Double Race Coaster is a racing/dueling type coaster. Using a Möbius loop track, two trains leave the station side-by-side on seemingly separate tracks. Throughout the ride experience, the two trains race alongside one another and duel on occasion. One train will typically beat the other back to the station dependent on the load weight of the entire train. Due to the Möbius loop track, the trains appear to have switched sides when they return to the station. Preston & Barbieri’s first Double Race Coaster, Nitro, opened in 2010 at Dennlys Parc in France.
Example:
Nitro at Dennlys Parc, France
See also: Möbius Loop Coaster
FAMILY/MINI COASTER
The remainder of Preston & Barbieri’s coaster production is of the family and kiddie variety most suited for young children. The first Family Coaster to open was Aile Treni at ParkAntep in the Netherlands.
The Coaster Mini is a smaller variation of the company’s Family Coaster, typically found in indoor Family Entertainment Centres or in park areas for young children. The first Coaster Mini, Stampbanan, opened in 2013 at Liseberg in Sweden.
Other information
Preston & Barbieri also produce Ferris Wheels, Splash Battles, log flumes, train rides, water slides and thrill towers rides. Preston & Barbieri’s bumper cars are very popular with theme park owners; chances are if a rider has been on a bumper car, they have been on a Preston & Barbieri version.
Manufacturer Contact Details
Preston & Barbieri
Via Cocchi,19
Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Telephone: +39 0522 925 211
Website