Gopher State Railway Museum's mascot has a problem. Some people have noticed that Spike has no tail. Below is the life's story of Spike and what happened to his tail.
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Spike was born at a very early age. As a young gopher he played near the local railroad tracks everyday. He had an immediate love for trains even in those times. Often he would wander near the hobo jungle where the hobos would play tricks on him and tease him about being so small.

Spike went to college at the University of Minnesota. He played football for the Golden Gophers. The opposing team found Spike very hard to tackle because when he would see them coming he would just dig a hole to get under the tacklers. The school had to drop Spike from their football program because it cost to much to patch the field after each game. The school was also worried about some rumblings that Spike was possibly causing future NCAA rules changes. He was still a hit with the cheerleaders even after he was released from the program.

After he was old enough to join the service he enlisted and was put to work burrowing trenches and digging bunkers at training areas for troops. Even though decorated several times for burrowing above and beyond the call of duty he still remained humble.

Once Spike left the service he went to work for the Bureau of Mines. He spent countless hours inspecting and correcting coal mines in West Virginia. In his spare time he volunteered time in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan helping to make sure tourist mines were safe for the public. His tunneling experience finally landed him his dream job.

Yes Spike went to work for the railroad digging tunnels in mountains for large trains to pass through. One time Spike met up with one of the old hobos he new from his younger years. His memories swayed him to notify the authorities of a trespasser on railroad property, yes bitter sweet revenge!

Digging was fun to Spike and he loved using his front teeth to open up large holes for the trains. On one fateful day he was at a site digging a tunnel, his back was to the the tracks when a big work train rolled by, right over Spikes tail. Yup it was gone! The rumors of a failed reattachment by a bungling doctor who tried to attach Spike's tale to his front are untrue!! There is no truth that a settlement is still pending!!

Spikes life was better from that day on, clothing was easier to find without a hole for his tail, he could sleep on his back and the girls liked him because he was different.

Now days you will find Spike acting as the GSRM mascot, traveling with our group throughout the upper midwest. He has made many friends with the humans he has met and the other mascots he has chanced upon. The girl mascots all seem to be attracted to the tailless rodent!