used in both basketball and football games. The last public appearance by the Boilermaker Special VI was on October 7, 2017 at the Minnesota-Purdue football game in West Lafayette Indiana. The VI led the football team onto the field for the start of the game with its replacement, the Boilermaker Special VIII (see below). Boilermaker Special VII In 2011, the Boilermaker Special V underwent a significant overhaul with the help of the Wabash National corporation. With over 200,000 miles (321,868 km), it was in need of a new engine, transmission and chassis. In June 2011, the university confirmed the overhauled mascot would indeed be branded as Boilermaker Special VII, which is reflected by the number "7" displayed on the front of the train's boiler. The new design was made by Reamer Alumna Beth (Smart) Miller (F'06). The body was changed slightly to adjust to the new parts, as well as a slight change in the paint scheme. New whistles and bells were also installed, while retaining the original brass bell from Boilermaker Special I. Much to the delight of many Reamer Club Alumni, the Special is outfitted with modern LED lighting on both its running boards as well as its cyclops. Boilermaker Special VII was presented to the university on September 3, 2011 at halftime of the Middle Tennessee State-Purdue football game. It was dedicated on October 1, 2011 at a luncheon which preceded the Notre Dame-Purdue football game. Boilermaker X-tra Special VIII On June 16, 2017, the Reamer Club announced the Boilermaker Special VI would be retired and replaced by the Boilermaker Special VIII. The VIII was assembled from a new, heavy-duty Caryall Turf 2 golf cart donated by Club Car and a new body designed and fabricated by the Wabash National corporation. The smokestack on the VIII is shorter than those on the IV and VI so that it no longer needs to be disassembled to drive into freight elevators or pass through doorways. The new X-tra Special made its first public appearance in West Lafayette Indiana at the Minnesota-Purdue football game on October 7, 2017 alongside the Boilermaker Special VI, which was making its final public appearance. The VIII led the football team onto the field, and was later featured in an announcement at the stadium during the third media time-out of the first quarter. The Purdue All-American Marching Band also played a tribute to the Boilermaker