Introduced in 1940, the Boilermaker Special is the largest and fastest mascot of any college in the world.

It is a picture-perfect September day at Purdue. The leaves are turning and the air is crisp. In the distance, you hear a whistle blow and a horn sound, which is followed by a bell. It can mean only one thing. It is game day. 

Traveling through campus, the Boilermaker Special is filled with students cheering for victory while members of the Reamers serve as pilot. The mighty locomotive symbolizes the Boilermaker spirit of strength, perseverance, and brute force. As the official Purdue mascot, the train has traveled thousands of miles and hauled even more passengers. 

It was on September 11, 1940, that the first Boilermaker Special was presented to the student body at a convocation in the Hall of Music.  Although a cooperative effort between two members of the class of 1907, members of the classes of 1940 and 1941, and student and alumni contributions, the initial efforts can be traced back to the Reamers after Izzy Selkowitz (P’41) submitted a letter to the Exponent advocating a mascot for the university. They took up the cause and launched a campaign to raise the funds necessary to build the mascot. “Look for the silver headgear” was the slogan on 8,000 tags featuring a print of the steaming locomotive. By November 6, 1939, $451 had been collected. Since more funds were needed, members of the Reamers journeyed to Chicago for the Purdue vs. Northwestern football game to meet with members of the Purdue Alumni Club of Chicago. As a result of that meeting, Paul Hoffman, president of the Studebaker Corporation in South Bend, donated a 1940 Studebaker chassis to the university. 

Next was an offer from W.H. Winterrowd (ME’1907), president of the Purdue Alumni Association and vice president of Baldwin Locomotive Works in Pennsylvania. He agreed to build the superstructure for the mascot. With designs by J.D. Hoffman (ME’40) and through changes in the chassis by Ross Gear and Tool Company and the Peter Anderson Motor Company of Lafayette, the chassis arrived in Philadelphia on September 3, 1939. There, the Boilermaker Special was completed.

After its dedication, the Special was used around campus and nearby areas for pep rallies and athletic events. And this tradition is still true today. Now on its fifth version, it 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 Boilermaker 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.

And it is still the Reamer Club that is responsible for the care of the Special. The club was founded in 1923 and continues to embody the spirit of Purdue. Known for their Reamer Pots, the club members take the job of care, maintenance, and piloting of the Special very seriously. Now with the Special VII under their care, the tradition of the Boilermaker Special continues and is celebrating 75 years of representing the Old Gold and Black.