Boilermaker Special The Boilermaker Special is the official mascot of Purdue University in West Lafayette , Indiana . It resembles a Victorian - era railroad locomotive and is built on a truck chassis . It is operated and maintained by the student members of the Purdue Reamer Club . Inspiration for the Boilermaker Special . Purdue University is a land - grant university ( or Agricultural and Mechanical ( A & M ) university ) created through the Morrill Act of 1862 . In the 1890s , Purdue became a leader in the research of railway technology . For many years Purdue operated the " Schenectady No . 1 " , and later the " Schenectady No . 2 " , on a dynamometer in an engineering laboratory on the West Lafayette campus . These were 4 - 4 - 0 type steam locomotives manufactured by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . The Schenectady was a classic Victorian - era design similar in construction to the Western and Atlantic Railroad No . 3 ( see The General ( locomotive ) on display at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History ) . Purdue even operated its own railroad to connect the campus powerplant to a main rail line . In the 1930s the dynamometer was decommissioned and the Schenectady No . 2 was retired as the railroad industry in the United States converted from steam to diesel - electric locomotives . Creation of the Mascot . For many years Purdue did not have a mascot . In 1939 , Purdue student Israel Selkowitz suggested the school adopt an official mascot to represent Purdue ' s engineering heritage . He originally proposed a " mechanical man " . After much debate , it was decided to build a locomotive on an automobile chassis . This choice allowed the mascot to build on Purdue ' s engineering and railroading heritage , as well as represent the school ' s nickname " Boilermakers " in a meaningful way . The " Boilermaker " nickname came about during the early years of Purdue football . There had been rumors the university enrolled burly boilermakers from the Monon Railroad shops in Lafayette , Indiana as students / football players to help beef up the scrawny football team . When a railroad operated an extra train independent of the scheduled timetable , it was known as a " special " . Thus , the trains which carried Purdue ' s sporting teams and their fans to other cities for athletic contests were known as " Boilermaker Specials " . It was a perfect match . Financial and moral support for the first Boilermaker Special was provided by key members of the Purdue University graduating class of 1907 , and members of the Purdue Reamer Club from the graduating classes of 1940 and 1941 . Boilermaker Special I . The Boilermaker Special I was introduced in 1940 . The locomotive body was constructed by the Baldwin Locomotive Works and installed on a 1939 " Champion " automobile chassis donated by the Studebaker Corporation ( South Bend , Indiana ) . The chassis had a 6 - cylinder in - line gasoline engine and a three - speed manual transmission . The gearshift was on the steering column . The cab contained a single bench seat for the driver and one passenger . Although the coal tender area was not designed for passengers , two passengers could sit on top the wheel fenders . The cab had two sheetmetal doors , one on each side , each of which had a window . Although the cab had a windshield , the back only had a window opening with no glass . This meant the wind and weather would enter the cab from the back . The bell and the whistle on the boiler are believed to have been donated by the Monon Railroad shops in Lafayette . The whistle used exhaust from the engine as its source of compressed gas . Although the cab had marker lights , the only driving light was the single ' cyclops ' light mounted high on the front of the boiler . Due to the high placement of the single headlight and a minimal number of other exterior lights , Boilermaker Special I was not driven at night for safety reasons . In honor of the Purdue students and alumni who contributed to the project , the numbers " 074041 " were later installed in the sides of the headlight . Boilermaker Special II . In 1953 , the Boilermaker Special II was created by installing the original Baldwin body from the Boilermaker Special I on an International Harvester truck chassis . A matching trailer was added during the 1950s to increase the passenger seating capacity . The trailer remained in use until the early 1990s . The Boilermaker Special II was scrapped around 1960 in a Lafayette salvage yard . This was personally witnessed by Reamer Club member Roger Brunstrum so that no one could later claim they owned the mascot . Boilermaker Special III . In 1960 , the Boilermaker Special III was introduced . It was built in Detroit by the General Motors Corporation on a 2 - ton GMC school bus chassis . It was powered by a 6 - cylinder gasoline engine connected to a two - speed manual transmission . A single rear axle with dual wheels and a manual - shift , two - speed differential rounded out the drive train . The cab and tender were constructed of plywood with facings of sheet steel on each side . Forward of the cab , the body was heavy sheet steel and steel plate . The brass bell originally installed on Boilermaker Specials I and II was installed on the boiler . A new headlight was installed at the front of the boiler . It featured a small 12 - volt bulb reflected by a large parabolic mirror . It was so bright it could only be used during parades . A locomotive air horn was installed on the top left side of the cab . When the horn was sounded , the Boilermaker Special III could be heard from miles away . To complete the locomotive theme , " steam " could be sprayed from the smokestack . The steam was actually carbon dioxide released by the driver from a cylinder within the cab and plumbed to a nozzle just below the top of the smokestack . The cab had two seats for the driver and a safety passenger . It had a heater which attempted to keep the cab somewhat comfortable during Indiana ' s cold winters . In addition to a safety - glass windshield and windshield wipers , the cab also had sliding side windows . The only portal to the cab was a lockable sliding door which led from the back of the cab to the coal tender area . The chassis and body had a complete 12 - volt , negative ground electrical system . A full set of lights were installed , including a concealed 4 - beam headlight system , brake , back - up , marker , instrument , and interior lights . With all these features , the Boilermaker Special III was capable of driving on most improved roads , day or night , in all weather conditions . The tender area had two long bench seats along each side with enough space for 14 passengers . The seating surfaces were hinged to allow items to be stored within the benches . Two 20 - gallon gasoline tanks were at the back of the tender under the seats . The overall weight of the vehicle was 8 , 600 pounds ( 3 , 800 kg ) . The original drive train had to move over 9 , 000 pounds of vehicle and passengers ( or more if the 1957 trailer was towed ) . Since the chassis was not equipped with power steering , the Boilermaker Special III was under - powered and difficult to drive . In the 1970s , the drive train was replaced with a carbureted General Motors / Chevrolet 350 cubic inch V - 8 with a power steering pump and a three - speed automatic transmission . A hydraulic steering - assist cylinder was added to the original steering mechanism . The two - speed differential from 1960 was retained , although it was locked in the " high " range and the shift linkage removed . With a pair of " cherry - bomb " glass - pack mufflers on a dual exhaust , the Boilermaker Special III had significantly more power and sounded like a hot rod when at wide - open throttle . After the drive train was replaced , the Boilermaker Special was capable of driving on highways at the posted speed limit for extended periods . In the 1980s the Reamer Club acquired a single - flute steam whistle and installed it on the top of the boiler just behind the bell . The whistle used the same source of compressed air as the horn on the top of the cab . The Boilermaker Special III represented the university for 33 years and travelled more than 110 , 000 miles ( 177 , 000 km ) . After the Boilermaker Special V was dedicated in 1993 , the Boilermaker Special III was dismantled in a Lafayette salvage yard . The salvage process was photographed and documented by the Purdue Reamer Club so that no one could later claim they owned the Boilermaker Special III . Boilermaker Special IV . In 1979 , a small version of the Boilermaker Special was introduced . The Boilermaker Special IV , or " X - tra Special " as it became known , was built on an E - Z - GO electric golf cart chassis . This allowed the mascot to be displayed at indoor functions or on softer surfaces ( i . e . a turf athletic field ) where its massive , gasoline - powered big brother could never go . Boilermaker Special V . Boilermaker Special V was introduced on September 23 , 1993 . It was built on a Navistar Low - Profile 4600 chassis and powered by a non - turbocharged V - 8 diesel engine . The Navistar chassis was donated by the Navistar International Corporation ( formerly International Harvester ) . The body was primarily constructed of aluminum which was donated by ALCOA , which has an aluminum processing factory in Lafayette , Indiana . The aluminum body was fabricated and installed on the chassis by the Wabash National Corporation , also of Lafayette , Indiana . The brass bell from Boilermaker Special I and the brass whistle from Boilermaker Special III were installed on the boiler . A five - chime freight train horn from a Norfolk Southern locomotive was installed on the body . The coal tender was large enough to seat up to 14 passengers . The Special was able to " kneel " , which allowed children and the elderly easier access to the coal tender . Despite the extensive use of aluminum in the body , the Boilermaker Special V weighed 10 , 800 pounds ( 4 , 900 kg ) . It is interesting to note the Boilermaker Special V had roots which traced back to the original construction of Boilermaker Specials I and II . In the late 1950s and early 1960s , the Studebaker Corporation , which provided the chassis for Boilermaker Special I , was losing money . In an effort to raise money and reduce operating costs , Studebaker sold the naming rights for its Loadstar heavy truck line to International Harvester , which provided the chassis for Boilermaker Special II . In 1986 , International Harvester Corporation sold its agricultural division to Tenneco and changed its name to Navistar International to concentrate in the manufacture of heavy trucks . Since the Boilermaker Special V had a Navistar chassis , it was linked to the Studebaker Loadstar brand and the International Harvester Corporation which produced Boilermaker Specials I and II . Boilermaker Special VI . In 1996 Boilermaker Special IV was replaced by Boilermaker Special VI . Boilermaker Special VII . In 2011 , the Special underwent a significant overhaul with the help of the Wabash National corporation . With over 200 , 000 miles , the Boilermaker Special V was in need of a new engine , transmission and chassis . The body was changed slightly to adjust to the new parts , as well as a slight change in the painting design . The new design was made by Reamer Alumna Beth ( Smart ) Miller ( F ' 06 ) . There were also new whistles and bells installed the Boilermaker Special VII . Much to the delight of many Reamer Club Alumni , the Boilermaker Special VII is outfitted with modern LED lighting on both its running boards as well as its cyclops . In June 2011 , the university confirmed that the overhauled mascot will indeed be branded as Boilermaker Special VII , which will be reflected by the number " 7 " being displayed on the front of the train ' s boiler . Remnants of Previous Boilermaker Specials . Only a few small pieces of Boilermaker Specials I , II , III , and IV remain in existence . The majority of their bodies and chassis were scrapped when they were replaced , primarily to prevent any person from later claiming they owned what used to be the Boilermaker Special . The brass bell from the Boilermaker Special I is the same bell that was used on Boilermaker Specials II and III . It is currently installed on Boilermaker Special VII . Pieces of sheetmetal from the Boilermaker Special I body containing the words " Purdue " and " Boilermaker Special " were saved when the body of Boilermaker II was scrapped in 1960 and remained on display in the Boilermaker Special garage for many years . The cyclops headlight from Boilermaker Special I was saved by the Reamer Club after it was removed from Boilermaker Special II in 1960 . It was installed on the Boilermaker Special IV in 1979 . This headlight was not used on the Boilermaker Special VI and has again been archived . Some parts of Boilermaker Special III were saved before it was scrapped . The locomotive headlight ' s parabolic reflector and trim were installed in a new headlight box and placed at the front of Boilermaker Special V . The single - flute steam whistle , which was installed in the 1980s , was transferred to the Boilermaker Special V as well . Sheetmetal bearing the words " Purdue " and " Boilermaker Special " were saved and have been archived . Finally , a heavy brass plaque , which was installed inside the cab above the windshield to commemorate the 1960 dedication of the Boilermaker Special III , was removed and archived . Operation and maintenance . Although it is owned by Purdue University and the State of Indiana , the Boilermaker Special has been operated , maintained , and funded by the men and women of the Purdue Reamer Club since its introduction in 1940 . The club ' s membership consists entirely of independent Purdue students ( those who are not members of a fraternity or sorority ) who represent a wide cross - section of the student body . Within the Reamer Club , a Boilermaker Special Chairperson and a separate X - tra Special Chairperson are elected each semester to oversee the operation and maintenance of the mascots . Only men and women of the Reamer Club may serve as Pilots ( engineers ) or Safety Pilots ( firemen ) for the mascots after passing a rigorous training period . The Boilermaker Special is frequently seen around the main campus , at athletic contests , and at local community events where it is used to promote the university . From May through August , it can also be seen around the state of Indiana in various parades and festivals . It spreads school spirit by blowing its train whistle and horn . It also has an external sound system that plays family - friendly music . The members of the Purdue Reamer Club travel with the train to every football game , including bowl games . During the football season , caps bearing the logos of defeated opponents are attached to the Boilermaker Special ' s cow - catcher . See also . Purdue Pete - The mascot of the Purdue University Athletic Department Similar vehicular mascots at other universities :