SFMM - Colossus to close August 16, 2014

[Reanimated35]

After 36 years Six Flags Magic Mountain will close Colossus August 16, 2014

[rappa]

Pretty sure my only response to this is 'that's f*cked!!!'

Park should be friken ashamed of themselves. Piece of history right there.

[MickeyD]

Agreed. Makes recent decisions back home pail in comparison

Edited June 4, 2014 by MickeyD

[rappa]

After I calmed down I've learnt there is strong speculation it's actually for a rework of the ride which may get the RMC treatment.

That I'd be find with as the coaster is nothing like when it opened anyway.

[Reanimated35]

Having only ridden it once, I'm surprised it was still functional after all these years. It's great they've kept it so long and I really do hope they upgrade it to one of those hybrid coaster things and keep it around. Would it be close to worlds oldest?

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

World's oldest what? Woodie? No. Wooden Racer? possibly.

At 36, it comes in on RCDB's list of 'still operating woodies' halfway down page 3:

http://rcdb.com/r.htm?order=10&ot=2&nm=na&st=93&ex=1&ty=2&page=3

I was quite disheartened to hear the news the other day from TPR. The comments did suggest a reworking, rather than demolition (although colossus does occupy valuable real estate that could easily fit 2 or more other coasters if they wanted to).

I rode Colossus in 1996 and 2013, roughly 18 years apart. I must admit in 2013 she looked like she was struggling, and they were not running two trains across the structure at the same time. In whatever fashion they choose, I hope they keep the old girl around a bit longer.

Step By Step, KnightRider, A-team, a KiSS movie.... she's one of the industry's biggest stars when it comes to film and TV.... and an absolute icon.

[strop]

^ and don't forget National Lampoon's Summer Vacation!

[downunder196]

I'm heading out there just after new years. This is horrible news! It may not be the tallest or the fastest but it was a fun ride (I visited in 2010). To say I'm disappointed is an understatement

[Slick]

I'm 99% confident it's not closing forever but rather being overhauled by a company like rmc. As is the rides days are numbered. Honestly though, from what I've seen anything from rmc will be awesome.

[Richard]

I found the ride almost soullessly smooth when I rode it about a decade ago -- most of the wooden track has been replaced with steel I-Beams. If they do go down the Rocky Mountain Coasters route it'd be interesting to see what they'd come up with.

[downunder196]

Yeah after the trend we've seen in Six Flags parks I'm sure it will happen. Imagine: steeper, taller drop; zero-g roll where the break run is, over banked turns. It would be amazing!

[alex_1]

It's a shame SFMM will be losing an iconic, relitavely family friendly classic coaster but it was losing popularity and honestly wasn't anything too special after all the crappy modifications were done to it.

I'm honestly really excited to see what RMC can do with a racing coaster. Unfortunately, being at SFMM, it likely won't race too much unless it's built as a mobius loop coaster.

Edited June 5, 2014 by alex_1

[downunder196]

High-five element anyone?

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

High-five element anyone?

No. Just no.

Colossus is a seat divider away from being an ACE coaster classic. Apart from that - high five requires the trains to come head to head - whereas colossus is a racer.

I'll be happy if they bring back the camel humps and get rid of the block brake in that spot. I'd love to see the trains return to PTC style carriages as well.

[downunder196]

I'll be happy if they bring back the camel humps and get rid of the block brake in that spot. I'd love to see the trains return to PTC style carriages as well.

They'll be changing a lot more than the block brake...

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

They'll be changing a lot more than the block brake...

Naturally if it is a reprofiling of course they will.

I simply said 'i'd be happy if...' - in other words, I don't care for any gimmicks like high fives, or inversions... I just want a nice traditional woodie brought back to life.

[gauge5]

They were running it backwards when we were there in Jan 14, same with Batman. Being a huge Kiss fan i'll be very sad if they removed it altogether.

[alex_1]

Naturally if it is a reprofiling of course they will.

I simply said 'i'd be happy if...' - in other words, I don't care for any gimmicks like high fives, or inversions... I just want a nice traditional woodie brought back to life.

Come on, nobody hires RMC for a traditional woodie. If it were just a reprofile it wouldn't be a new attraction, it'll be a radical Iron Horse reprofile with inversions and all.

RMC coasters are fantastic so I see no cause for complaint.

[downunder196]

Not SFMM (but another RMC): Goliath at SFGA had a fire in the station building...



It won't effect the scheduled opening date

Article

[downunder196]

Looks like August 28 will be when the RMC makeover will be announced.

[downunder196]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=lFWnSA33UOo

I know I posted this in another thread but I am speechless. 2 lifts, 1 coaster, 2 inversions, 18 air time moments, interaction, high 5 element...

Need I say more?

Edited August 28, 2014 by downunder196

[Brad2912]

Wow..

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

Racing coasters work really well... when they're run as racing coasters.

I certainly hope they maintain the operations to consistently run two trains.

I'm impressed, and certainly a coaster of that size had to replace colossus purely based on footprint needed. I'm still disappointed they got rid of such a classic coaster to do this, but i'm excited to ride it.