Montaña Rusa (La Feria Chapultepec Mágico)

Montaña Rusa was constructed in 1964 by International Amusement Devices, Inc. and was designed by Aurel Vaszin and Edward Leis.[1] Aspects of the coaster's design served as an inspiration for the designers of future roller coasters, such as Screamin' Eagle and Colossus.[3] In the 1980s, Montaña Rusa underwent a major $800,000[5] renovation and refurbishment for safety and ride comfort.[6] Following the work, the original coaster builder responded with a tongue-in-cheek remark that he was "at least 80 percent sure" that roller coaster passengers would remain in the trains' seats.[7]

In 2006, Luis Felipe Santamaría set a record for roller coaster endurance by riding on Montaña Rusa for a total of 1,333 consecutive rides. He did not leave the train, and only briefly stopped for medical checks. Santamaría both ate and slept on the roller coaster.[8]

The layout of Montaña Rusa is unusual in that it has a big PP for a racing coaster, but it is, in fact, a Möbius loop coaster. This coaster design means that a left-track ride will result in a return on the right-track side and vice versa; it also means that the coaster has a continuous track of 8,000 feet (2,400 m).[1] Montaña Rusa is one of only a handful of such coasters in the world.[6][9] In 1979, roller coaster expert Robert Cartmell rated it as being the 8th best roller coaster in North America—as well as rating it the "most brutal", a characteristic that stemmed partly from Mexico City's 7,350 feet (2,240 m) altitude.[10] As of July 2013, the cost of a single ride is 20 pesos.[11]