2025 Pufferbilly Days

RAILROADING IS DANGEROUS.  YOU COULD BE SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. 
 
YOU MUST ACCEPT ALL RISKS.  IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT ALL RISKS, YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY STOP AND LEAVE THE ACTIVITY. THE HANDCAR RACE IS A PHYSICALLY STRENUOUS EVENT. INDIVIDUALS WITH BACK OR HEART CONDITIONS, OR THOSE ON MEDICATION MAY NOT PARTICIPATE. 
CONSIDER YOUR PHYSICAL ABILITY AND WEATHER CONDITIONS BEFORE PARTICIPATING.

PARTICIPATION IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. 

-Two or Three spikes will be set by the judges.   
-Rail will be used and the spikes will be driven through a tie plate. 
-This is a two-part timed event.  The first part is spike driving.  The second part is spike pulling.  Combined time will be limited to four minutes. 
-The participants will be timed for driving three spikes.  When the spikes are driven, the clock will be stopped. 
-The participant will then be given a claw bar and a 60 second rest period.  The clock will be restarted and timing will be resumed for pulling the three spikes. 
-The collective times of driving and pulling the spikes will determine the winner of the event.   
-The Judges' rulings and determinations are final. 
-There will be two categories of participating, professional and amateur.  Awards will be given to the first three places in each category. Amateur status means that a participant may not ever have worked for a railroad in the capacity of track personnel. Previous 1st place amateur winners must participate in the professional category. 
-The contest is limited to twenty participants – both categories combined  

-Each contestant must sign a waiver and release form prior to participating.

-Rules may be updated or amended.  Changes will be announced at the race.

RELEASE & WAIVER FORM 
The undersigned, in consideration for the opportunity to participate in the Pufferbilly Days­ Handcar Race and/or Spike Driving Contest, do hereby waive and release any and all rights and claims for damages I may have now or hereafter have against the Pufferbilly Days™ Committee, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Boone, the Iowa Railroad Historical Society, Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum, Boone Handcar Races LLC or their respective agents, representatives, volunteers, employees, successors, or assigns, for any and all injuries which may be suffered by me in connection with my competition in said event. I acknowledge that this waiver shall be binding upon myself, my heirs, my executors, administrators and assigns. 
 
RAILROADING IS DANGEROUS.  YOU COULD BE SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. 
 
YOU MUST ACCEPT ALL RISKS.  IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT ALL RISKS, YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY STOP AND LEAVE THE ACTIVITY. THE HANDCAR RACE IS A PHYSICALLY STRENUOUS EVENT. INDIVIDUALS WITH BACK OR HEART CONDITIONS, OR THOSE ON MEDICATION MAY NOT PARTICIPATE. CONSIDER YOUR PHYSICAL ABILITY AND WEATHER CONDITIONS BEFORE PARTICIPATING. 
 
 PARTICIPATION IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.