For 36-years Colossus remained the tallest, fastest wooden roller coaster in the West, but when it opened in 1978 it was the world's largest roller coaster. This dual-track, racing wooden coaster featured a "double out and back figure-8" layout with fourteen hills, three drops, a double up, double down, speed bump and bunny hop. Colossus was built on 10 acres of land that spans 1,608-feet from end to end. When operating at capacity a total of six trains, three per track were running along the two tracks that together total 8,650-feet in length.
See related: Colossus Pictures and read Colossus Review
| Year | Track | Type | Designer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Wood | Racing, Double Out and Back | International Amusement Devices |
Designers: Don Russer, William L. Cobb, Curtis D. Summers
1979 – The speed hill between the second drop and double-up was reprofiled after a tragic accident. Seat belts were also added to the trains.
Early 80's – Magic Mountain reverses the trains on one side of Colossus so riders can ride facing backwards.
1988 – The six PTC trains were replaced with Morgan "California" style fiberglass trains
1991 – The double down was removed and replaced with a mid-course block brake
1998 – Two trains were borrowed from Psyclone for Fright Fest, so Colossus could once again run one side with the trains facing backwards.
June 3, 2014 – Six Flags Magic Mountain announces they will close Colossus forever on August 16, 2014.
Opening date: June 29, 1978
Train has six cars with two rows each, seating two abreast per row.
Height requirement: Riders must be at least 48 inches tall
Find Where to Coast™ with Ultimate Rollercoaster® Database
Where to Coast™, Rollercoaster Yellowpages™ are trademarks of Ultimate Rollercoaster®.
