Mexico City Racer (an inspiration for Magic Mountain's Colossus)

This is definitely in my top 10 to-do list. Actually, it's been on my must do list since the mid 80's. It's also one of the only 3 mobius racers on the planet (Kennywood Racer and Blackpool's Grand National are the other 2).

http://www.youtube.com/user/shanehuish#p/search/0/qiMNCLfRORQ

This thing used to have quite a reputation as I remember. The last car was a right of passage to manhood. There was supposedly a chain linking the lap bar to the floor. You can see how extreme some of the -Gs are in the video.

I know Custom Coasters did a re-do sometimes in the 90's. They added higher sides/back to the cars, as well as individual lap bars - similar to the makeovers they did in the UK (at Blackpool and maybe Southport?)

Has anyone ridden this lately?

I remember seeing this on a Discovery Channel special many years ago. Looks like a fun ride.

As of '09 it was still hauling, though I have to say it looked a bit pot-holey on some of those crests and troughs in this video.

Still looks to have a bit more oomph than the more-neutered-but-similar coaster at SFMM.

Wow, the city skyline has sure changes since I saw pictures of this in Rollercoaster! quite a while back.

Another cool thing about this ride, is that it was the most colorful woodie ever!

Something like green track, pink walk ways, yellow support, white, green, blue. It's painted just red, green and white now, but still looks great.

That coaster reminds me of Gemini for some reason, minus the obvious reasons.

It also reminds me of the Big Dipper at Camden :) Same company; same mix of both rounded hills and those with 'ramps'.

On a negative note: Crazy Train is such a cliche song to use for a rollercoaster video. That's like using "Ready to Go" for a video of Dragster.

^But that is what is so special about a nice classic song - it still sounds great, with or without the coaster ;)

That song stands the test of time very well. Can't say that about most newer music.

Actually, I think it's over rated.

I agree. It was played out years ago. Everybody's token go-to metal/hard rock song. It's gone from edgy to boring.

Also,

That song stands the test of time very well. Can't say that about most newer music.

You can't say that about most older music, either.

Wasn't this the first coaster over 100 feet tall or something? I vaguely remember reading that somewhere.

Strange. I learned to really enjoy Crazy Train. Is it not hip anymore?

As a songwriter, I view Crazy Train to be a very well-written tune. It has a catchy chorus that repeats the song title several times, verses with lyrics that point right to the topic of the chorus, the perfect bridge linking the two, a great sounding, although very brief and subtle, change that reestablishes Ozzy's connection to the audience, followed by Rhodes iconic guitar solo that seems to repeat the entire lyrical content in emotional guitar language instead of words.

That guitar solo is learned by countless young guitar players who are past the basics, and looking for a new challenge. Once they learn it and can play it, it is quite an accomplishment.

LostKause said:
As a songwriter, I view Crazy Train to be a very well-written tune.

I agree. Also, I don't necessarily agree that it's overrated...maybe, I suppose. Over-played? Absolutely. It's one of those songs that, while decent, I would blissfully volunteer to live the rest of my life without hearing again. Like Hotel California...or Pearl Jam's Alive (which is depressingly considered classic rock these days). On the other hand, take the proverbial, driven-into-the-ground Stairway to Heaven. I think its airplay has been limited over the past decade or so (or I've just gotten lucky and not heard it much), so giving it a fresh listen again every once in a while isn't so bad. Plus, it's Zeppelin.

Funny I had a dream and the Ozzy song "You're no different" and an Abba song (of all things!) called "If it wasn't for the nights." All in the same dream. I'm glad I listened to the entire records.

Years ago, there was an Entertainment Tonight episode that featured coasters, and they played "Crazy train" for the Viper at Astroworld (when Viper was new!)

"Crazy Train" is one of those things, like zombies, pirates, and Dee Snyder, that used to be scary but now are family-friendly.

That's pretty much the pop culture cycle. What pushes the limits now becomes tame in 20-to-30 years.

Just think: some day even you may no longer be 'fringe'! ;)

you can say that again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTA2CE8_KLk

although the kid "playing" the bass doesnt do the line right during the chorus, it doesnt pedal a 16th A note . More like a quarter note with a little decending fill.

Ensign Smith said:
"Crazy Train" is one of those things, like zombies, pirates, and Dee Snyder, that used to be scary but now are family-friendly.

You want to hear something really scary, check out Pat Boone's version of Crazy Train (no, I'm not making this up):

http://www.amazon.com/Metal-Mood-More-Nice-Guy/dp/B000005KOE/ref=sr...614&sr=8-1