I had the privilege of being one of the engineers in 1978. Jim Duff was my foreman. Ron Kimura knew every bolt and bearing, and everything else for that matter. Really good people. Somehow it was like a living, breathing being. Sounds crazy I'm sure, but I’d bet that any old steam engineers would understand. Cold winter nights, steam and heat keeping me warm. The slow “chuff-chuff” saying all was right with the world. The best “job” I’ve ever had. Thank you all! Jeff Fay Madera, CA
A long time ago, waay before these guys were operating this ride, we took the 99 very seriously. with an operating steam pressure of almost 200 lbs, the park thought it was important enough for us to be properly trained by a former engineer and a former fireman from the days of steam on the railroads. (Bob Ranck and Don Wykoff) Toot was originally fired with propane, but during the energy crisis of the early '70s we converted her to run on used crankcase oil. Although it worked, it really didn't burn clean enough for an amusement park and we subsequently changed it back. We rebuilt the cab in 1973 or 1974, as I remember. I miss Ron and Don Jones, Dirk Ramsey, Duane Capp and of course Bob and Don. --- High Spot
I worked there in 74-75 with Don Wyfoff and Duane Capp. I was sentenced to the steam train because a friend of mine worked there. I was young and missed all the girls from the "better " rides. However, I learned a lot about steam engines from Don and Duane. Afterwards, I managed the Griffith Park and Southern RR and even worked on the steam train at Lion Country Safari for a short time. A couple of years later, I hired out on the Southern Pacific and worked as a Brakeman, Conductor, TBM, Switchman, Engine Foreman, Hostler, CRO and YDM. When the UP bought the SP, I continued as a Yardmaster and eventually moved into management, working as MYO, MTO and ending up as a SMTO before retirement after 41 years. I still have some friends still working there, but they are on the first page of the Seniority Roster, often called death row. Now I'm living the dream, retired. Sometimes it was great, sometimes it was boring, sometimes it was scary and a lot of times we did stupid things, but I survived somehow. As Garrett Morris used to say on SNL, RR been berry, berry good to me (ya gotta be old to get this reference).
Yes, there was another train ride in the park called "The Grand Centennial Railroad Excursion" Train on the West side of the park from 1975 - 1985. There were two trains. The train engines, track and cars were removed from the Monolith cement factory in Tehapachi California and rebuilt at Magic Mountain. I do not know of any film or video footage, but bet there is some out there somewhere.
@97trainman Shut the ride down because of low attendance and high maintenance . Was located near the "kids section" of the park tucked away in a corner, and hard to find.
The one in the back was called the "Grand Excursion" which used a fake steam locomotive and a real GE 25 tonner (both diesel). The one in front was a real steamer and used a two-foot guage. It actually was the only commercially licensed mobile steam boiler in LA County. Btw, Ron was both the chief mechanic on both railroads and an engineer on the Grand Excursion Railroad.
The biggest missed opportunity when they first opened to the public was that Magic Mountain didn't build a railroad system that traverse the entirety of the park, plus use the terrain to tunnel portions of the track.
That is correct. The engine is fully restored and on display on about 30 ft of track at a dog kennel about 2 miles south of Magic Mountain off Cal Grove Blvd.
thanks for this. my family went there in the late 70s early 80's. trying to remember if thery had a cage boat ride, (not sure if i made it up or remember for real, it would be a little kids ride before bugs bunny)
@jsikora92371 The 99 Steam Train was not closed down to make room for Colossus. Colossus opened in 1978, and the Steam Train closed 2 years later in 1980. I was the operator on the 99 Steam Train while Colossus was in operation. Colossus was not close to the 99 Steam Train at all.
I remember when you could buy a train like this in the back of model railroader. Now I can afford it, but they are no longer available as the cheap kit that they were.
I had the privilege of being one of the engineers in 1978. Jim Duff was my foreman. Ron Kimura knew every bolt and bearing, and everything else for that matter. Really good people.
Somehow it was like a living, breathing being. Sounds crazy I'm sure, but I’d bet that any old steam engineers would understand. Cold winter nights, steam and heat keeping me warm. The slow “chuff-chuff” saying all was right with the world.
The best “job” I’ve ever had. Thank you all!
Jeff Fay
Madera, CA
man that guy was freaking out at the beggening lol wow
A long time ago, waay before these guys were operating this ride, we took the 99 very seriously. with an operating steam pressure of almost 200 lbs, the park thought it was important enough for us to be properly trained by a former engineer and a former fireman from the days of steam on the railroads. (Bob Ranck and Don Wykoff) Toot was originally fired with propane, but during the energy crisis of the early '70s we converted her to run on used crankcase oil. Although it worked, it really didn't burn clean enough for an amusement park and we subsequently changed it back. We rebuilt the cab in 1973 or 1974, as I remember.
I miss Ron and Don Jones, Dirk Ramsey, Duane Capp and of course Bob and Don. --- High Spot
I worked there in 74-75 with Don Wyfoff and Duane Capp.
I was sentenced to the steam train because a friend of mine worked there. I was young and missed all the girls from the "better " rides.
However, I learned a lot about steam engines from Don and Duane.
Afterwards, I managed the Griffith Park and Southern RR and even worked on the steam train at Lion Country Safari for a short time.
A couple of years later, I hired out on the Southern Pacific and worked as a Brakeman, Conductor, TBM, Switchman,
Engine Foreman, Hostler, CRO and YDM.
When the UP bought the SP, I continued as a Yardmaster and eventually moved into management, working as MYO, MTO and ending up as a SMTO before retirement after 41 years.
I still have some friends still working there, but they are on the first page of the Seniority Roster, often called death row.
Now I'm living the dream, retired.
Sometimes it was great, sometimes it was boring, sometimes it was scary and a lot of times we did stupid things, but I survived somehow.
As Garrett Morris used to say on SNL, RR been berry, berry good to me (ya gotta be old to get this reference).
Yes, there was another train ride in the park called "The Grand Centennial Railroad Excursion" Train on the West side of the park from 1975 - 1985. There were two trains.
The train engines, track and cars were removed from the Monolith cement factory in Tehapachi California and rebuilt at Magic Mountain. I do not know of any film or video footage, but bet there is some out there somewhere.
@97trainman Shut the ride down because of low attendance and high maintenance . Was located near the "kids section" of the park tucked away in a corner, and hard to find.
I remember the train ride at Magic Mountain being a diesel train
The one in the back was called the "Grand Excursion" which used a fake steam locomotive and a real GE 25 tonner (both diesel).
The one in front was a real steamer and used a two-foot guage. It actually was the only commercially licensed mobile steam boiler in LA County.
Btw, Ron was both the chief mechanic on both railroads and an engineer on the Grand Excursion Railroad.
The biggest missed opportunity when they first opened to the public was that Magic Mountain didn't build a railroad system that traverse the entirety of the park, plus use the terrain to tunnel portions of the track.
Awesome video. Thanks for sharing.
i live right by the owner of #99! She looks good i just wish she still ran
That is correct. The engine is fully restored and on display on about 30 ft of track at a dog kennel about 2 miles south of Magic Mountain off Cal Grove Blvd.
thanks for this. my family went there in the late 70s early 80's. trying to remember if thery had a cage boat ride, (not sure if i made it up or remember for real, it would be a little kids ride before bugs bunny)
@jsikora92371 The 99 Steam Train was not closed down to make room for Colossus. Colossus opened in 1978, and the Steam Train closed 2 years later in 1980. I was the operator on the 99 Steam Train while Colossus was in operation. Colossus was not close to the 99 Steam Train at all.
Crown metals trains last forever.
If you liked the crown our Railroad (youtube veteransrailroad) has a operating Crown on Coal Fire.
i believe someone owns the train and had it restored and put on display.
I remember when you could buy a train like this in the back of model railroader.
Now I can afford it, but they are no longer available as the cheap kit that they were.
why did they stop using the railroad?
@1:33-1:38 -- That's a Zebra-style laugh.
now where goliath stands
you run on fart gas,,, weak sauce