New Mexico Rattler

A major roller coaster at the Cliff's Amusement Park had been proposed for ten years prior to its construction.[2] The growing size of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was a contributing factor in constructing the roller coaster; by the early 2000s, the nearby population had grown enough that a large addition to the park was feasible.[3] In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, park co-owner Gary Hays brought forward the construction of its conceived roller coaster by a year to help in the recovery of tourism.[3][4] Then-mayor of Albuquerque Martin Chávez assisted in facilitating permits for the park to build the roller coaster in 2002; in part, facing some opposition from city hall.[3] Hays contracted Custom Coasters International (CCI) to manufacture and build the roller coaster in January 2002,[4] based on their reputation and deals offered.[5][6] A month later, groundbreaking and construction of the roller coaster began.[3][4]

Park owners Gary and Linda Hays, as well as Chávez, announced the construction of the roller coaster at the Albuquerque city hall on February 20, 2002. The unnamed wooden roller coaster would cost $2 million to construct and have a projected opening date for June 21. Park officials simultaneously announced a contest for the public to submit names through local Wendy's locations for the attraction.[2][3] Park officials wanted to advertise the roller coaster to an adult demographic and would increase park admission prices. The construction of the roller coaster would result in "15 to 30 jobs" being added, with the park aiming for an increase in attendance for the 2003 season.[3] Installation of concrete foundations began after the roller coaster's announcement.[7]

The contest ended in April 2002, with the name, "New Mexico Rattler", chosen from a 4-year-old's submission in May. The owners selected the name because of its likeness to the predator and state.[7][8] In early May, steel supports began to be built,[7] with construction of the wooden track taking place soon after.[9] The roller coaster's anticipated opening date was set back in June due to construction delays; a new opening date scheduled for mid-July.[9] A second set back to its opening date in July delayed the roller coaster's opening near the fall season, due to pending delivery of construction materials.[10] In late July, manufacturer CCI filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio,[11] ending operation.[5]

At the time of the manufacturer's bankruptcy, the "roller coaster was 95% finished".[12] Following CCI's closure, the park employed seventeen previous workers from manufacturer and another eight workers to finish the roller coaster. The delays caused additional costs to the $2 million initially slated for its construction, and the bankruptcy was partially attributed by industry experts to the amusement market decline.[5][12] The roller coaster was removed from advertising that had been intended to promote it until it opened.[12] Final test runs for the roller coaster were conducted on September 27, 2002, and it opened the next day, September 28.[4][13]

The lift hill and beginning turn around of the New Mexico Rattler, with the Fire Ball and Downdraft flat rides visible

After leaving the station, the train dips to the right before ascending the 25.4-degree, 80-foot (24-meter) lift hill.[14][15] Cresting the hill, the train descends the 52-degree, 75-foot (23-meter) right-banked drop,[16] reaching its maximum speed of 47 mph (76 km/h).[12][14][17] It then traverses a series of left-banked hills before descending into a drop. The train ascends to the left before dropping into a succession of curved hills; thereafter entering a right-banked hill. Following the banked turn, the train continually descends into the 125-foot (38-meter) tunnel, emerging in an upward right banked turn.[15][16] The train continues downward into a right turn, ascending a few hills before banking into the left turn. Exiting the turn, the train goes slightly right into the final brake run before turning right to enter the station.[15][17] One cycle of the roller coaster takes approximately a minute and fifteen seconds to complete.[17]

The New Mexico Rattler was primarily designed, manufactured, and constructed by Custom Coasters International.[9][17][18] Before the manufactuer's closure, there were around 25 people who worked on building the wooden roller coaster, both from the company and locally.[6] Engineering plans for the roller coaster took a month to complete. The roller coaster spans the entirety of the amusement park.[18] The roller coaster lies on one acre (0.40 ha) of land and is located in the southwest section of Cliff's Amusement Park.[6] The park relocated several attractions as a result of New Mexico Rattler's construction.[3][15] In addition, the roller coaster navigates over multiple rides and trees.[6] The New Mexico Rattler was the first major roller coaster built in New Mexico.[5][19]

Contrasting from traditional wooden roller coasters, the New Mexico Rattler utilizes steel supports, which required less area to support the wooden track. The roller coaster combines features an out and back and twister layout.[4][12] The roller coaster exerts a maximum of 3.1 g-forces to its riders. The roller coaster has a total track length of 2,750 feet (840 m), longer than the originally planned 2,620 feet (800 m).[14] The New Mexico Rattler operates with one train, which has six cars that contain two rows of two seats, allowing a maximum capacity of 24 people. The train was built by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters.[17] Each seat contains a lap bar restraint system.[20]

The New Mexico Rattler's entrance

Upon opening, the New Mexico Rattler generally received positive reviews from guests and critics. Leanne Potts, a writer for the Albuquerque Journal, commented on the roller coaster's nonstop pacing, stating there were "no pauses in the ride, no slowing down".[16] Potts also remarked that after the initial drop "the speed is unrelenting", relating the experience to that of falling "off a five-story building and living to tell about it".[16] Potts recorded several guests reactions to the roller coaster, with one guest commenting on the different positive ride experiences in the front and back; another expressing their enthusiasm for the roller coaster, wanting to ride it again.[16]

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