Boilermaker Special's Traditions
The official mascot of the Boilermakers is a replica of a Victorian-era locomotive. The locomotive design of Purdue's official mascot celebrates the University's renowned engineering programs. Boilermaker Special I made its debut on the first day of classes in 1940. Then-President Edward Elliott assigned an existing spirit group, the Reamer Club, to maintain and operate the Special. The Boilermaker Special has been used to announce campus events ever since.
The Boilermaker Special has seen many replacements, renovations, and design changes, but many things stay consistent. Even though there have been five versions of the Special, elements of VII came from I, including the bell, light and whistle. The superstructure of VII is the same as that of V, albeit with a few modifications to fit the new chassis. Built to be roadworthy in each of its five incarnations, the Special appears at all games in Ross-Ade Stadium, travels to away football games and is a favorite at events ranging from parades to birthday parties. The Special made the trip to Pasadena, California, to accompany the Boilermakers to the 2001 Rose Bowl, although it was shipped the 2,100 miles to southern California - the only time it has been shipped and not driven to an event.
The Boilermaker Special has seen many replacements, renovations, and design changes, but many things stay consistent. Even though there have been five versions of the Special, elements of VII came from I, including the bell, light and whistle. The superstructure of VII is the same as that of V, albeit with a few modifications to fit the new chassis. Built to be roadworthy in each of its five incarnations, the Special appears at all games in Ross-Ade Stadium, travels to away football games and is a favorite at events ranging from parades to birthday parties. The Special made the trip to Pasadena, California, to accompany the Boilermakers to the 2001 Rose Bowl, although it was shipped the 2,100 miles to southern California - the only time it has been shipped and not driven to an event.