The races wouldn’t be the same without Walker’s deep voice and wisecracks about competitors’ racing styles as they pump their way down 410 feet of railroad track.

“I’m pretty well-known,” he acknowledged.

Walker, who owned the Eagles Tavern for 32 years until he sold it this year, says he’s sought out by communities around the country that seek to add handcar racing to their festivals. They ask him how to organize a race and where to get a handcar.

He’s helped start events in Sacramento, Portland and Canada.

The history of modern handcar racing goes back to that summer 33 years ago. Walker said a few Wilkeson folks got together to organize something special for their annual Fourth of July celebration in northeast Pierce County.

At the time, railroad tracks still ran down Church Street in Wilkeson, a foothills community built on coal and sandstone mining and lumber before the turn of the last century.

Walker said organizers borrowed an old handcar they found in Tacoma for the first couple of years. The contraptions once were used to patrol railroad tracks for damage.

“One of the old guys fixed it up” by adding rail wheels, a wood platform and the double-handled pumping mechanism.

The races were a hit, Walker said. Teams arrived from other states and Canada to compete for the best time. They all used the same handcar, and the rule then remains in place today: No practice allowed.

The tracks on Church Street eventually were ripped up, but the races had to go on. The town bought 800 feet of track, which it installed in Coke Oven Park.

The races eventually were moved to the third weekend in July. They’re now a featured attraction at the annual Wilkeson celebration that includes a parade, lawn mower races, tugs of war and a beer garden.

The races also have gone high-tech, using the same electronic timing system used at Crystal Mountain for ski racing.

Handcars can reach speeds of 60 mph on the 410 feet of slightly uphill track. Races usually last 20 to 30 seconds.

Each team consists of a pusher and either two or four pumpers. Walker said the pusher is the one who gives the car its initial shove, sort of like in an Olympic bobsled race – except in this case the person extends his or her body full length and falls onto a mattress laid on the tracks.

Anyone can sign up as a team on Saturday.

For this year’s event, Bob German and Tim Hodder have rebuilt the town’s handcar. It’s reported to be much faster.

“Injuries are rare, but they do happen,” Walker said.

Nobody has ever been seriously hurt, not even the woman who was tossed from the car when it slipped off a rain-slicked track many years ago.

“She was back dancing that night” in the street dance, Walker said.

The key to winning?

“A lot of rhythm and some muscle,” he said.

Mike Archbold: 253-597-8692

WHAT: Wilkeson’s 33rd annual National Handcar Races

When: Saturday, 12:30-5 p.m.

Where: Coke Oven Park in Railroad Avenue in Wilkeson

How to compete: Bring your team and sign up Saturday.

Other events: Parade, 11 a.m. on Church Street; Cossack Motorcycle and Drill and Stunt Team exhibition, noon; lawn mower races, 1:30 p.m. (alternate with handcar racing); tugs of war, afternoon in the park; street dance, 8 p.m.; music and vendors, all day