Some neat footage shot by a crew member on the final day of operation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-5UcZiOIhQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5BI5M7r-R0 (Warning: PG-13 language)

Interesting to hear it went through two boilers in just 8-9 years of operation, but nevertheless, they had the thing pretty dialed in; in fact, I don't believe I've ever heard a Crown run so square!

Cool videos - thanks for the links!

I absolutely *loved* that ride as a kid and I was so upset when it stopped operation.

If you look in the background of video 1 you can see the Metro monorail rolling by. Magic Mountain *was* such a nice park back in those days. I emphasize "was." I refuse to set foot in that park again because of what it has become and what the park has done to its once great coasters. Us coaster enthusiasts call it "Trim Brake Mountain," a name that the park has truly earned.

Not to mention what he has done! Anybody know what's happened to the 36" Crown?

Also, this video has some nice footage of Colossus in its glory days, back when I absolutely *loved* it and its incredible stand up airtime. That was many years ago before all the reprofile jobs and trim brakes butchered that coaster into nothing. *sigh* Such a shadow of its former self...just like that whole entire park.