TheHistoric Highway 99 Association of California, in conjunction with the Ridge Route Preservation Organization, has produced a video on the basics of the Ridge Route and some of the features that make the road unique. Learn about the curbs, rails, footprints of all types, tire tracks, and more that can be found on the road. They also talk about the different pavement types on the road as well as how you can get up there and see the road yourself.
The Historic Highway 99 Association of California has also produced other videos talking about other sections of the highway, including the bridges over the Santa Clara River and Castaic Creek in their “History along US 99” series.
On Friday, August 8, 2025, I was a part of a behind-the-scenes tour at Magic Mountain. Part of the tour included walking part of the infield for Twisted Colossus and Goliath. Two things we saw really stuck out to me. The first was seeing an old section of original Colossus trackway beneath the lift hill. This was something I was already aware but hadn’t seen up close since I learned of it. It had to remain as it was a structural part of the lift hill.
Short section of original trackway adjacent to the first drop on Twisted Colossus
Closeup of trackway section.
The second discovery was most unexpected but somewhat related to the first. In 2014, the original 1978 Colossus rollercoaster was closed to be transformed into Twisted Colossus by Rocky Mountain Construction in 2015. This “new” coaster would take the old one to a new level with steel track and inversions. There is truly no other rollercoaster like this in the world and happens to be my favorite. A lot of the original supports and track were removed in this process.
Some of the original track from Colossus was repurposed as “soil terraces” along the edge of the maintenance roadway between Goliath / Twisted Colossus and Hurricane Harbor. At first, I noticed sections of wood that looked “odd”. Why would they be put together in such a manner? Upon closer inspection, I saw the original steel “track” that the rollercoaster wheels rode upon. At that point, I knew what I found and was quite excited.
First section I saw near Hurricane Harbor. The Magic Mountain Sky Tower is visible to the right between the trees.
Additional pieces of track along the slope.
Closer view of the track complete with side rail plainly visible.
Closeup of rail section with both top and side steel visible.
As you can see, this was quite a find and a unique use of some of rollercoaster history. Always keep your eyes peeled for relics of the past at such parks. Magic Mountain has quite a few, some of which this site will review in the future. You never know what you might find out there!
Special thanks to the crew at Magic Mountain for allowing us this tour.
The Transportation Museum of San Diego and Imperial Counties now has a website! They will have rotating online exhibits in the near future and a physical museum space in Old Town at the Caltrans District 11 headquarters campus. They are looking for volunteers to help with all manners of tasks at this time. Come check it out!
The Transportation Museum of San Diego and Imperial Counties is a non-profit organization formed in 2018 to help preserve the rich ground transportation history of San Diego and Imperial Counties. Their mission is to preserve and interpret the historical story of San Diego’s transportation routes, envision the future of regional transportation, foster interest in how mobility decisions impact society, and serve diverse communities and environments.
The Historic Highway 99 Association of California has produced a video on the Channel Change in Piru Gorge on the Ridge Route Alternate where opening ceremonies were held 95 years ago. Come check it out!
