GhostRider

When GhostRider opened in 1998, it became the tallest and longest wooden coaster in the West, and the largest attraction yet built at Knott’s Berry Farm. Its timber course rose above Ghost Town with a 108-foot plunge and a top speed of 56 miles per hour. latimes.com· latimes.com

The ride was planned as a substantial addition to the Buena Park parkland, with much of its 24-million-dollar cost devoted to preparing the surrounding site. Its long, double out-and-back arrangement gave the great wooden structure a broad presence beside the historic streets of Ghost Town. latimes.com· coasterpedia.net

After years of service, Great Coasters International undertook a thorough restoration. The work included extensive retracking, new trains, revised banking, and magnetic braking, returning the ride with a smoother course while preserving its traditional wooden character. greatcoasters.com· latimes.com· latimes.com

GhostRider was warmly received when it arrived, and its combination of speed, scale, and the natural movement of a wooden coaster soon made it a notable part of Knott’s Berry Farm’s history. latimes.com· sixflags.com