For a while I felt sad about his passing, but we shouldn’t be sad. He lived his life on his terms the way he wanted and a lot of people will never have the freedom and adventure he did, I’m kinda envious of the freedom and life he had.
Unless he was intentionally un alived by anyone like foul play or something. I just found his videos a couple of months after he died. Wish I would've known about him sooner.
Yah but a ride might help he's arthritis when he gets better.be like a clam in the mud.but if he just makes videos I'll still watch him funny as hell 😆
Shoestring, I don't know how you landed in my recommendations, but I thank God you did. I've watched a few episodes and I get in a relaxed state watching your content. But did I miss something? With the knowledge you have about trains and the railroad systems, brother how are you not working with them in some capacity? I never knew it was so much to know about trains and rails, but you've ended that ignorance of mine. I'm a Vet myself and I've always said that some of the nations brightest are in the military. Thanks for what you do and how you represent us.
I can't believe how much miss info you give out. You have zero clue about how much horsepower SD40-2's have. I my Honest opinion you should be in jail. what a dreg on society you are!
He loves riding the rails, but that is an illegal activity. Being a railroad employee you have to pass a myriad of checks to be considered for that kind of work and be in good physical and mental condition. Shoestring was a lifetime alcoholic up until 5-10 years ago. He would not have been considered for that reason and I am sure he probably has a criminal record also.
I have no idea why RUclips pushed your content to my feed the other day, but I’m happy I’m here. Hobo life is something very foreign to me but I’m fascinated and very supportive of you. Keep up the amazing work! Subscribed.
I think I can safely say that the entirety of Hobo Shoestring Nation is behind you 1000%, collectively has your back, and are hoping for a positive outcome, String! Watching your Six 24/7/365. 👍🙂🛣🚞
Your pants are the best in the world. I have the same and they are unbreakable. I wish you good health and beautiful journeys on freight trains. Greetings from Poland.
Hi shoe string this is Ron I see you getting around much much better loved to see that And it's a beautiful country beautiful train I wish I was there with you
Glad to see you out in the fresh air. Keep building up your health and nutrition in advance of your surgery and treatment. Have a great day Shoestring.
Your videos are amazing, i live close to conway railyard in Pennsylvania, one of the largest yards on the planet. I always wondered if there was a stowaway on any of the passing trains. Thank you for keeping that curiosity alive for me! Best wishes in your travels sir.
I always loved trains as a kid. I still have my conductors hat from when I was little. I love the videos and your work. Thank you Shoestring for teaching us all so much about trains. As well as for showing us a really rare glimpse into this realm. You're in my thoughts and prayers. If you ever come through Chicago let me know. You'd have a safe place to stay and a hot meal. Stay well Shoestring!!! Much love and respect!!!
Shoestring my man , hope all goes well with your surgery . I've been on that journey myself . It will be ok , I had colorectal cancer and ended up with colostomy . Your case may be different than mine but you can make it through . Praying for you my guy . Would love to meet you and maybe hop a ride with you and hang out . Looks like a lot of fun . Good luck and let me know next time you pass through Memphis by that Elvis Presley stop I will come see you ,
I just happened across your channel..I have watched a few videos so far. I sure hope everything goes good for you with the upcoming surgery amd everything. Much love sir.
Love what your doing. I grew up in Tunnel Hill Ga. On the tracks where the Civil War happened. I'm in Muncie now and would be honored to meet you iffin you ever pass by
I enjoy the videos. Reminds me of my hitch-hiking days back in the the 70's. I sort of envy the freedom of the lifestyle, but I am too old at 68 to rekindle the wanderlust in me. I am glad to have a home in North Florida on the river, but do miss the traveling of my younger years. Best wishes and good luck Shoestring. Look me up in Fort White if you ever get this way.
I have been binge watching your videos over the past few months. Your presentation skills have dramatically improved. Your story telling is great, I really enjoy them. Cheers
Piney Flats is a really cool area. I like the old post office and general store there. Those are my kind of areas. I use to go just north of there to the Natural Tunnel area until they stopped running trains. Theres only one a day through the tunnel and its at night
Just came across your RUclips channel and started watching your videos a couple weeks ago. Good luck with your surgery and thank you for your service. Sending prayers, God bless.
Good to see you again! Where you belong on the rails talking about trains! Great knowledge as usual, god bless you, can’t wait to see you riding again where you belong 👏
Hello from Ames, Iowa Shoestring. They actually took those speakers down, so now you here the real horns blowing. Love hearing them a lot better. Thanks for the video.
11:30 the bells on those gates only run while the gate is opening and closing. When it's fully open or fully closed, the bell doesn't ring. It's not only to prevent it from being annoying as hell when you're sitting there stuck at a crossing like anyone would be with this train blocking the way, but also as more at grade crossings get full signals and gates, they often rely on solar power and batteries instead of having power lines ran all the way out to every single crossing. The less things you have running, the longer everything works before the batteries die. Many crossings with newer LED lights don't flash as slowly as they appear, they're acting flashing 20+ times a second when the light is "on". This is fast enough that our brains just see the light as on, but in reality it's saving power by being off for half of the time that it appears to be on. (Some digital cameras record at just the right speed that crossings appear to be off. Jawtooth has a camera that is like this and many of his videos look like the signals are malfunctioning and dying repeatedly, but he'll tell you they're working just fine the whole time.) This also helps save on power with crossings that are grid powered reducing the costs to the railroad there as well, so while it's almost a necessity when the crossing is on solar, it's a big cost savings on the monthly electric bill.
Evening Shoestring. Sure you have rode thru Troy, OH. on a train. Saw you mentioned riding thru near New Carlisle too. Know you're happiest at train tracks and being around the trains too. Glad to see you adventure out, and enjoy doing a video about them again. There's a train passing thru in Dayton now, as it does every night. Love hearing the train wheels rolling on the tracks, and the train whistle blowing in the distance. It's a beautiful sound, and you're a beautiful soul Shoestring. You take care, and I'm keeping you in my prayers.🙏🚂
Thank you Shoestring for another great video . It's amazing how much knowledge you have about train's . Stay safe . Look forward to seeing the next one .
It's amazing how much I learned from watching. I'm so glad this popped up in my recommendation months ago. You have so much knowledge of everything. Stay safe sir
Hey brother, in your next video, how about an update as to why those trains were held up. Glad to see you took some time to go smell the ties and the woods. Like most folks, I wasn't expecting another video for a few weeks. Glad to see you are out at least taking in the scenery. Oh I was going to ask, when you were showing us the how to use a rail spike to open the autorack, I noticed a large amount of liquid pouring out of the car. Any idea what that was?
Awesome video Shoestring! Great when you show and explain how things work! I've learned alot more about railroading watching your videos! Thanks for sharing!
Several yesrs ago we would occasionally backhaul wine in our tank trucks out of California. Depending on the alcohol content we had to have 3065 placards on them.
But I doubt you would have to have the placard labeled beneath with a shipping name under the placard (alc. beverages) as Mark even comments at approx 17:45, one is just asking for someone to mess with it by having the name out in the open and I 100% agree with him. Not many would be bothered to look up 3065 on the CFR website(s) to identify the PSN. Cannot put radio active, even though I get where Shoestring was going with that, whatever DOT equivalent agency who overseas rairoads would have a field-day on handing the charges over for mis-placarding a railcar, especially heaven forbid a fire or accident occurred and a fire department stood down and allowed casualties being unable to battle a radioactive blaze or reaction, whereas most FD presumably can handle combustible or flammable liquids.👾
Hobo Shoestring:. My grandmother who was born in 1905 used to make us take a spoonful of sulfur before we went blackberry picking. When you sweated the sulfur through your pores it made you less palatable to the chiggers. I don't know if it worked but that stuff was dry and tasted horrible and it was hard to swallow.
It’s the lost verse to the ‘Mary Poppins’ “Spoonful of Sugar” song… “🎼a spoon full of sulfur 🎵makes the children obey! keeps the bug bites away! makes their vision go gray🎵!”
@@swainscheps My grandmother didn't use that sulfur to make us obey, it was purely to keep the chiggers away. Now she would use castor oil for that purpose. If she caught you eating fruit that wasn't ripe she would give you a dose of castor oil.
Another really interesting video Mark. You always relax me when I'm listening to your stories and all the interesting rambling you can do. informative and entertaining at the same time. Thank you, and good luck with your upcoming surgery.
I must say I just started watching your videos and I now have a new passion, loco motives are now my new hobby I’m learning. I have plenty to learn and trains to catch now I’m starting my journey in Edmonton Alberta Canada 🍁
How the heck do you know so much about railroads? I just found your channel a couple weeks ago but love your videos, you do a great job describing things.
Thank you for your documentation and insight on rail riding. It was always a dream of mine to do what you are doing. Love trains, love adventure, love traveling. A Road Less Traveled
Absolutely 💯 your knowledge is amazing you can tell you have many years riding the rails and paying attention be well ny friend your a good man Mark !!@
@@BaltimoreAndOhioRR where are you located? On the ns and csx we see heritage units, fnbs (Stobe), up, cn, cp, occasionally kcs, and lease locos, and older pool locos still used when they're short on power. We just never know what we'll see in the Marion/ Mansfield, port Clinton/ Sandusky, or Ashtabula/ conneaut areas where I spend a significant amount of time.
@@BaltimoreAndOhioRR I try to spend more time on the water and in the woods these days. Have a place on Catawba, family in extreme Northeast Ohio, and family property down on the lower Eastern Shore. Miss seeing Bay Shores Alcos and trainmaster. There is an Operation Lifesaver geep regularly on the local servicing the gypsum mine in Gypsum. Caught one of the last Barnum and Bailey circus trains running across the water level route on the causeway and drawbridge between Bay Point and Gypsum, and saw 10 or so F40PH's in metra livery deadheading West. Not sure if they were going out to Morse and Knudson's shops or getting shipped elsewhere.
Good to see you out and about again Shoestring. You're looking brighter and talking trains and riding them so that's good! Yeah, both lines blocked! That is not a good sign usually. Mind you, the train Tour at halt like that is rare and it's nice to see what's usually flashing by, a bit more up-close and how-it-works. I heard there was a derailment few days back up in Ohio(Jaw Tooth got the clean-up on film). I dunno if it was a cracked track/blocked track in a crossing or a bad expansion with the heat now, or both! Maybe what's going on with those two trains too, waiting on clean-up!. I just hope nobody got hurt, whatever the hold order is about. Well, summer's here this side of the Atlantic(the 4-4-0) too and I hope you get good weather all the way. Keep Safe and Keep Well, Shoestring. Cheers, now! (PS. Could ya keep us posted on what has caused the halt to rail traffic there? Cheers!)
Great video, lots of cool information. I have to admit, though, you kept me chuckling by playing with that crossing gate... and talking about Massengill road. 😂
That ONE pink container is Ocean Network Express, a Japanese shipping company. They are fairly new, at least in the United States anyway. Its always good to see our friend Hobo Shoestring along the mighty high iron!
Shoe,when I seen that old mattress I wondered why you don't have some blow up cushions to sit on while your riding the rails.Sitting on cold steel in winter wouldn't be much fun.Love your videos,keep safe.
This is a good reason to have a small netbook and a SDR and ATCS Monitor, so you can see the signal status of the line. You can see if there is an OOS indication but, and if they have red or green signals
Shoestring, i have been batteling bladder cacner for close to 20 years, i have hade my ups, and downs with it but i am sure if you keep a positive attitude about it like i see you do, and some prayers now and then,. you will get through this, and i will be praying for you, hang in there shoestring.
Well S.S. Am glad you up and about,i have been thinking about you and happy that you getting fresh air and cleaning out the cobwebs up stairs. As allways I look forward to your flicks, can u point out the car ulike to ride, Happy Rail and good thoughts and healing prayer headed your way. 🐈🐩themt-1
Hobo Shoestring, The Rail King. I really enjoy your videos. I've done a lot of hitchhiking, from NC to Seattle, corner to corner. From Maggie Valley, NC. Keep it up. - Freddy Neely. Boone, NC, and Denver, Colorado.
I enjoy your stuff. You always find things to educate folks about hobo life. You go with the flow when your held up on the wait for the ride. I know there's hard times out there. Having an income makes it better and I'm aware how rough it it is out there catching laborpool jobs and not eating for a day or two. Stay safe and hopping this procedure fix you uo
There's a tool similar to a crowbar that snaps the bottom off the seal. Where Shoestring showed how to use a RR spike to open the door, the tool has a square end on an L- shaped bar similar to ratchet wrench without a socket.
Another great video Mark. Don’t forget the shameless plug for your store. Self promotion will help. I still have to buy something, but inflation is killing my budget. Take care,
Depending upon where you're at blocking Crossings depends on whether or not the conductor will have to set the brakes and split the train to unblock the crossings if you're going to be there any length of time that's the way you're supposed to do it if you're out in the country you don't have to worry about it so much but if you're in town and you're going to be blocking the crossing I think for like 20 minutes or more you're supposed to split the train because you can't legally block an ambulance from getting through
Hobo Shoestring, is more than a train rider by far he is a Encyclopedia of railway information simply amazing how much he know about the operation of trains. They should let him retire from the rail road with full benefits. I have never seen anyone who knows so much about trains.👍
Hey Shoestring! our family has been praying for you for healing & strength! My Dad talks about your adventures & love of trains ALL the time! Trains are his favorite, and you're a close second! It was just his 61st birthday & Father's Day is coming up, & I wanted to ask if you'd be willing to give him a shoutout as a big fan! Thanks dude, stay safe & heal fast!
Shoestring, ' Our Rail King'.. Thank you so much for bringing us great content. Adventure and educational. just plain awesome how honest, humble, and real you are. You are highly intelligent, notice patterns, well studied, read, and educated. You know extensively through and through about something if it relates to your interest, others interest you like to share, or your path. I hitchhiked the Country for years, corner to corner. I was a loner. I seen this land like no other ever will I thought back then. I think you have truly seen this country like no other ever. train for transportation and sight to sight, cool place too nat park, coast too coast in no time. I'm not to old but I got really tired of the hard ground after 10 years or more. Now I can live my adventures through you. thank you so much Rail King. I hope that name catches on. The Rail King. be safe Mark. God Bless you.
Being that there is a branch of the Watauga River named "Massengill Branch" in Piney Flats, TN (he lives just a few klicks southwest of the town of Piney Flats in the nearest city) and he shows the walk-in box trackside at CP Piney Flats @ 22:12 = the approximate location would probably be Piney Flats.
For a while I felt sad about his passing, but we shouldn’t be sad. He lived his life on his terms the way he wanted and a lot of people will never have the freedom and adventure he did, I’m kinda envious of the freedom and life he had.
Unless he was intentionally un alived by anyone like foul play or something.
I just found his videos a couple of months after he died.
Wish I would've known about him sooner.
Godspeed Mr. Nichols, We Thank You for all you gave, And for all you have given.. R.I.P. Shoestring, You are greatly missed,, ✌
Watching a old friend today. Missing shoestring..July 7 2024.
You don't need to hop a train to make a very interesting video. Honestly, you have talent!
He enjoys hopping trains, that's why he's a hobo
I agree! Shoestring has ALOT of talent and intelligence.🚂
Yah but a ride might help he's arthritis when he gets better.be like a clam in the mud.but if he just makes videos I'll still watch him funny as hell 😆
Agreed. His stories and lessons about rail cars, etc etc, are some of the best.
It isn’t about you. It’s about him.
I am extremely impressed by Shoestring’s instinctive camera skills.
I wasn't expecting another video, till after your surgery. Glad to see you are out and about. You are in my prayers. 🙏
Yes indeed. Shoestring sounds in good spirits. That's good news.
I wish my buddy was still alive. He loved train’s more than me, which is saying something. He would absolutely love this channel.
Shoestring, I don't know how you landed in my recommendations, but I thank God you did. I've watched a few episodes and I get in a relaxed state watching your content. But did I miss something? With the knowledge you have about trains and the railroad systems, brother how are you not working with them in some capacity? I never knew it was so much to know about trains and rails, but you've ended that ignorance of mine. I'm a Vet myself and I've always said that some of the nations brightest are in the military. Thanks for what you do and how you represent us.
I can't believe how much miss info you give out. You have zero clue about how much horsepower SD40-2's have. I my Honest opinion you should be in jail. what a dreg on society you are!
Same here. But not a vet. Lived in a 'used to be railroad town of Westminster, SC. Born and raised
I started hopping trains after getting out of the military, oh the scenic joys of federal trespassing.
That’s what I am saying
He loves riding the rails, but that is an illegal activity. Being a railroad employee you have to pass a myriad of checks to be considered for that kind of work and be in good physical and mental condition. Shoestring was a lifetime alcoholic up until 5-10 years ago. He would not have been considered for that reason and I am sure he probably has a criminal record also.
I just love how almost every second of every video is full of railroad knowledge. Another great flick.
I have no idea why RUclips pushed your content to my feed the other day, but I’m happy I’m here. Hobo life is something very foreign to me but I’m fascinated and very supportive of you. Keep up the amazing work! Subscribed.
Welcome to Shoestring's Army
Its good to see a post from you Mr shoestring. You are still in my prayers sir.🙂
I think I can safely say that the entirety of Hobo Shoestring Nation is behind you 1000%, collectively has your back, and are hoping for a positive outcome, String! Watching your Six 24/7/365. 👍🙂🛣🚞
Your pants are the best in the world. I have the same and they are unbreakable. I wish you good health and beautiful journeys on freight trains. Greetings from Poland.
Hi shoe string this is Ron I see you getting around much much better loved to see that And it's a beautiful country beautiful train I wish I was there with you
Give an update if we know anything about those 2 trains stopping
Good to see ya not sittin at home worrying and enjoying the sun mate!
Bruce in Melbourne AU.
Yes indeed.
Hey Shoestring. That was a cool video. Good to see you feeling good. Still praying for you. Take care and have a good one. 👍👍👍❤️🙏
I wanna fall off the grid and just roam the planet with this guy. Think I'm kidding?
Nope I'm bout to hit the rails too
I need shoestring to show ropes so I don't end up extradited to the slammer
I'm ready now but I'm broke ,I need like a couple hundred bux probably
Got my gear when we doing this
That makes two of us Sir. To let go of all the stress of this daily grind. . . .
Glad to see you out in the fresh air. Keep building up your health and nutrition in advance of your surgery and treatment. Have a great day Shoestring.
Shoestring! Happy to see you living the dream brother.
Your videos are amazing, i live close to conway railyard in Pennsylvania, one of the largest yards on the planet. I always wondered if there was a stowaway on any of the passing trains. Thank you for keeping that curiosity alive for me! Best wishes in your travels sir.
Hey, I do as well! Beaver County FTW!
My husband and I Love your videos and all your train knowledge.
Shoestring you have a very genuine soul and I wish you many more years of happiness and good luck! Ottawa,Canada
I always loved trains as a kid. I still have my conductors hat from when I was little. I love the videos and your work. Thank you Shoestring for teaching us all so much about trains. As well as for showing us a really rare glimpse into this realm. You're in my thoughts and prayers. If you ever come through Chicago let me know. You'd have a safe place to stay and a hot meal. Stay well Shoestring!!! Much love and respect!!!
Shoestring my man , hope all goes well with your surgery . I've been on that journey myself . It will be ok , I had colorectal cancer and ended up with colostomy . Your case may be different than mine but you can make it through . Praying for you my guy . Would love to meet you and maybe hop a ride with you and hang out . Looks like a lot of fun . Good luck and let me know next time you pass through Memphis by that Elvis Presley stop I will come see you ,
I just happened across your channel..I have watched a few videos so far. I sure hope everything goes good for you with the upcoming surgery amd everything. Much love sir.
Love what your doing. I grew up in Tunnel Hill Ga. On the tracks where the Civil War happened. I'm in Muncie now and would be honored to meet you iffin you ever pass by
I enjoy the videos. Reminds me of my hitch-hiking days back in the the 70's. I sort of envy the freedom of the lifestyle, but I am too old at 68 to rekindle the wanderlust in me. I am glad to have a home in North Florida on the river, but do miss the traveling of my younger years. Best wishes and good luck Shoestring. Look me up in Fort White if you ever get this way.
Most of us never knew we were living our best days
@@TwoTwentyTampa Ain’t that the truth!
I have been binge watching your videos over the past few months. Your presentation skills have dramatically improved. Your story telling is great, I really enjoy them. Cheers
Piney Flats is a really cool area. I like the old post office and general store there. Those are my kind of areas. I use to go just north of there to the Natural Tunnel area until they stopped running trains. Theres only one a day through the tunnel and its at night
No consistent and regular rail traffic through natural tunnel anymore?
Just came across your RUclips channel and started watching your videos a couple weeks ago. Good luck with your surgery and thank you for your service. Sending prayers, God bless.
Good to see you again! Where you belong on the rails talking about trains! Great knowledge as usual, god bless you, can’t wait to see you riding again where you belong 👏
Hello from Ames, Iowa Shoestring. They actually took those speakers down, so now you here the real horns blowing. Love hearing them a lot better. Thanks for the video.
love your videos shoestring!!! i could just watch you walking around talking take care brother!! hope your feeling a lil better
11:30 the bells on those gates only run while the gate is opening and closing. When it's fully open or fully closed, the bell doesn't ring. It's not only to prevent it from being annoying as hell when you're sitting there stuck at a crossing like anyone would be with this train blocking the way, but also as more at grade crossings get full signals and gates, they often rely on solar power and batteries instead of having power lines ran all the way out to every single crossing. The less things you have running, the longer everything works before the batteries die. Many crossings with newer LED lights don't flash as slowly as they appear, they're acting flashing 20+ times a second when the light is "on". This is fast enough that our brains just see the light as on, but in reality it's saving power by being off for half of the time that it appears to be on. (Some digital cameras record at just the right speed that crossings appear to be off. Jawtooth has a camera that is like this and many of his videos look like the signals are malfunctioning and dying repeatedly, but he'll tell you they're working just fine the whole time.) This also helps save on power with crossings that are grid powered reducing the costs to the railroad there as well, so while it's almost a necessity when the crossing is on solar, it's a big cost savings on the monthly electric bill.
Yup.
Cool information . . new to me.
Hope you're getting some sleep!
Be glad you're not through Laramie - we got a Shoestring Slammer today. Nearly blew my socks off.
Just started watching you use to work for the railroad lots of knowledge
Evening Shoestring. Sure you have rode thru Troy, OH. on a train. Saw you mentioned riding thru near New Carlisle too. Know you're happiest at train tracks and being around the trains too. Glad to see you adventure out, and enjoy doing a video about them again. There's a train passing thru in Dayton now, as it does every night. Love hearing the train wheels rolling on the tracks, and the train whistle blowing in the distance. It's a beautiful sound, and you're a beautiful soul Shoestring. You take care, and I'm keeping you in my prayers.🙏🚂
All ways looking for Shoestring walking in Troy. Maybe for a bite to eat or something.
@@jerryhoschouer5131 If I ever see him, I'm buying whatever he wants!! I'd be pleased to!!
Thank you Shoestring for another great video .
It's amazing how much knowledge you have about train's .
Stay safe .
Look forward to seeing the next one .
It's amazing how much I learned from watching. I'm so glad this popped up in my recommendation months ago. You have so much knowledge of everything. Stay safe sir
Hey brother, in your next video, how about an update as to why those trains were held up. Glad to see you took some time to go smell the ties and the woods. Like most folks, I wasn't expecting another video for a few weeks. Glad to see you are out at least taking in the scenery.
Oh I was going to ask, when you were showing us the how to use a rail spike to open the autorack, I noticed a large amount of liquid pouring out of the car. Any idea what that was?
Thank You for posting another video!!! I love hearing story's out on Railroad Hobo Shoesting!!!
Awesome video Shoestring! Great when you show and explain how things work! I've learned alot more about railroading watching your videos! Thanks for sharing!
Several yesrs ago we would occasionally backhaul wine in our tank trucks out of California. Depending on the alcohol content we had to have 3065 placards on them.
its probably some hard whiskey from Europe or Asia as that train was all European and Asian containers. Could even be rum
But I doubt you would have to have the placard labeled beneath with a shipping name under the placard (alc. beverages) as Mark even comments at approx 17:45, one is just asking for someone to mess with it by having the name out in the open and I 100% agree with him. Not many would be bothered to look up 3065 on the CFR website(s) to identify the PSN. Cannot put radio active, even though I get where Shoestring was going with that, whatever DOT equivalent agency who overseas rairoads would have a field-day on handing the charges over for mis-placarding a railcar, especially heaven forbid a fire or accident occurred and a fire department stood down and allowed casualties being unable to battle a radioactive blaze or reaction, whereas most FD presumably can handle combustible or flammable liquids.👾
@@daveondre4892 Actually, if the alcohol content is above a certain percent, it needs to be placarded as a flammable liquid.
Having seen bartender friends of mine light their bar tops on fire with 151 I understand why they would need a flammable placard 😂
@@daveondre4892
It means it's flammable
Wish I could do what you do but I walk with a cane so I’ll just live vicariously through you 🤣
Love from Sacramento ☮️
Glad your out and about. Always learning something from your videos.
Awesome man. Totally envy your riding skills!
If there was a pantheon of riders, you'd be a shoe- in, shoe string 🏛
Hobo Shoestring:. My grandmother who was born in 1905 used to make us take a spoonful of sulfur before we went blackberry picking. When you sweated the sulfur through your pores it made you less palatable to the chiggers. I don't know if it worked but that stuff was dry and tasted horrible and it was hard to swallow.
Thought you meant sugar and your phone autocorrected you but nope, grandmas in 1905 were using sulfur :p Back when school was uphill both ways.
It’s the lost verse to the ‘Mary Poppins’ “Spoonful of Sugar” song…
“🎼a spoon full of sulfur 🎵makes the children obey! keeps the bug bites away! makes their vision go gray🎵!”
@@swainscheps My grandmother didn't use that sulfur to make us obey, it was purely to keep the chiggers away. Now she would use castor oil for that purpose. If she caught you eating fruit that wasn't ripe she would give you a dose of castor oil.
Us up in Alaska wishing you the best, and a speedy return here!!
Another really interesting video Mark. You always relax me when I'm listening to your stories and all the interesting rambling you can do. informative and entertaining at the same time. Thank you, and good luck with your upcoming surgery.
I must say I just started watching your videos and I now have a new passion, loco motives are now my new hobby I’m learning. I have plenty to learn and trains to catch now I’m starting my journey in Edmonton Alberta Canada 🍁
Hey man let me know how it goes, I’m from Ottawa would be cool to hear
@@TwoTwentyTampa I can definitely keep you updated
How the heck do you know so much about railroads?
I just found your channel a couple weeks ago but love your videos, you do a great job describing things.
Shoestring learned much in the thirty odd years he's been riding the rails.
@@beentheredoneization plus he has that kind of mind. plus that kind 9f passion for his topic. and the clear delivery too..
Shoestring been running the rails for almost 40 years …. The engineers know him!
dude was an aircraft mechanic in the army I think
@@triariicat8448 helicopter mechanic to be exact
Thank you for your documentation and insight on rail riding. It was always a dream of mine to do what you are doing. Love trains, love adventure, love traveling.
A Road Less Traveled
Excellent, Shoestring. Hope those dark clouds didn't spoil your day. Stay 'on track'.
Absolutely 💯 your knowledge is amazing you can tell you have many years riding the rails and paying attention be well ny friend your a good man Mark !!@
Nice, you caught a UP foreign power! 👍👍
Out here in Cali, we'll trade ya a UP for a NS Heritage : >) . .
@@paullanyi516 haha, yeah, we dont see UP very often. NS, even the heritages, are getting common.
@@BaltimoreAndOhioRR where are you located? On the ns and csx we see heritage units, fnbs (Stobe), up, cn, cp, occasionally kcs, and lease locos, and older pool locos still used when they're short on power. We just never know what we'll see in the Marion/ Mansfield, port Clinton/ Sandusky, or Ashtabula/ conneaut areas where I spend a significant amount of time.
@@bobpaulino4714 Baltimore. I spend time in MD, VA, & WV. Sometimes DE & PA.
@@BaltimoreAndOhioRR I try to spend more time on the water and in the woods these days. Have a place on Catawba, family in extreme Northeast Ohio, and family property down on the lower Eastern Shore.
Miss seeing Bay Shores Alcos and trainmaster.
There is an Operation Lifesaver geep regularly on the local servicing the gypsum mine in Gypsum.
Caught one of the last Barnum and Bailey circus trains running across the water level route on the causeway and drawbridge between Bay Point and Gypsum, and saw 10 or so F40PH's in metra livery deadheading West. Not sure if they were going out to Morse and Knudson's shops or getting shipped elsewhere.
Man the awesome scenery that you have got to see and enjoy......keep the content coming
Hi Mark, thank you for sharing. I love 🚂 trains! 🚂.
loved those intense train sounds... & another great video!! 😎👍
Good to see you out and about again Shoestring. You're looking brighter and talking trains and riding them so that's good! Yeah, both lines blocked! That is not a good sign usually. Mind you, the train Tour at halt like that is rare and it's nice to see what's usually flashing by, a bit more up-close and how-it-works. I heard there was a derailment few days back up in Ohio(Jaw Tooth got the clean-up on film). I dunno if it was a cracked track/blocked track in a crossing or a bad expansion with the heat now, or both! Maybe what's going on with those two trains too, waiting on clean-up!. I just hope nobody got hurt, whatever the hold order is about. Well, summer's here this side of the Atlantic(the 4-4-0) too and I hope you get good weather all the way. Keep Safe and Keep Well, Shoestring. Cheers, now!
(PS. Could ya keep us posted on what has caused the halt to rail traffic there? Cheers!)
I have to say shoestring is a blessing to everyone. Stay strong my friend. From Kentucky
Rest In Peace, Shoestring. And thank you for the memories.
I want to hear the fake train whistle Horn, LOL. You make the best videos ever and I appreciate you so much. Thank you shoestring
praying for you Shoestring, good to see you
Great video, lots of cool information. I have to admit, though, you kept me chuckling by playing with that crossing gate... and talking about Massengill road. 😂
So interesting Shoestring. I felt like was there. God Bless You!
Another instructional video from Shoestring!!!👍👏btw: I saw that whale drawing before myself! Use bug spray to deter those nasty chiggers!!!
If I ever go on a train trip. I'm getting this guy as my travel agent!
Always an Excellent video Hobo
I'm coming to you from Toronto Canada home of CN and CP Rail have a nice day
Praying for you tonight Shoestring, and for your medical staff. God bless & keep you.
I think that graffiti of the whale at about 3:25 is the works of artist David Choe. He rode the rails years ago and left this mark everywhere.
This was awesome, wish it went longer!
You need to make another video and let us what happen and keep making all your videos really enjoy them and always ride safe
Just texting Shoestring to say howdy we miss ya we can't wait to see ya back out there again soon from all of us followers
That ONE pink container is Ocean Network Express, a Japanese shipping company. They are fairly new, at least in the United States anyway. Its always good to see our friend Hobo Shoestring along the mighty high iron!
I could literally listen to you just talk about anything random and I'd listen to every word.
Praying 🙏 for you Shoestring...Army vet's are strong brother.... keep rolling!!
Shoe,when I seen that old mattress I wondered why you don't have some blow up cushions to sit on while your riding the rails.Sitting on cold steel in winter wouldn't be much fun.Love your videos,keep safe.
This is a good reason to have a small netbook and a SDR and ATCS Monitor, so you can see the signal status of the line.
You can see if there is an OOS indication but, and if they have red or green signals
Shoestring, i have been batteling bladder cacner for close to 20 years, i have hade my ups, and downs with it but i am sure if you keep a positive attitude about it like i see you do, and some prayers now and then,. you will get through this, and i will be praying for you, hang in there shoestring.
Train and hobo knowledge is the best Mr. Shoestring. Glad to see you out. Best of wishes to the future
Well S.S. Am glad you up and about,i have been thinking about you and happy that you getting fresh air and cleaning out the cobwebs up stairs. As allways I look forward to your flicks, can u point out the car ulike to ride, Happy Rail and good thoughts and healing prayer headed your way. 🐈🐩themt-1
Hobo Shoestring, The Rail King.
I really enjoy your videos. I've done a lot of hitchhiking, from NC to Seattle, corner to corner. From Maggie Valley, NC. Keep it up.
- Freddy Neely. Boone, NC, and Denver, Colorado.
I enjoy your stuff. You always find things to educate folks about hobo life. You go with the flow when your held up on the wait for the ride. I know there's hard times out there. Having an income makes it better and I'm aware how rough it it is out there catching laborpool jobs and not eating for a day or two. Stay safe and hopping this procedure fix you uo
Great to see you up and back at it again
The Auto Rack you looked inside was Loaded with Vehicles. They must use a Tool to Open or Cut the Seal Off.
There's a tool similar to a crowbar that snaps the bottom off the seal. Where Shoestring showed how to use a RR spike to open the door, the tool has a square end on an L- shaped bar similar to ratchet wrench without a socket.
Bolt cutters
@@onduhrhoads they will work as well, but not what we used at the autorack yard.
Bet the Lock Picking Lawyer could open it
Hi Shoestring. I received my lighter (even though I don't smoke!) and the knife. Both are very nice. I love the graphics.
Glad to see you out again..... hope you're feeling a bit better, Mark.
Get well soon Shoestring ,just love to watch and chill out to your videos.All the best from Steve in Wales UK(◍•ᴗ•◍)❤
Whales, wells and Wales
Another great video Mark. Don’t forget the shameless plug for your store. Self promotion will help. I still have to buy something, but inflation is killing my budget. Take care,
Ticks and Chiggers are Bad now up here in STL. My brother and wife both removed a Tick within a day or two 50 miles from each other.
Hope all is well Mark, what was the symbol of this train? And is it common there to have the train in the hole block multiple crossings?
Depending upon where you're at blocking Crossings depends on whether or not the conductor will have to set the brakes and split the train to unblock the crossings if you're going to be there any length of time that's the way you're supposed to do it if you're out in the country you don't have to worry about it so much but if you're in town and you're going to be blocking the crossing I think for like 20 minutes or more you're supposed to split the train because you can't legally block an ambulance from getting through
Hobo Shoestring, is more than a train rider by far he is a Encyclopedia of railway information simply amazing how much he know about the operation of trains. They should let him retire from the rail road with full benefits. I have never seen anyone who knows so much about trains.👍
Hey Shoestring! our family has been praying for you for healing & strength!
My Dad talks about your adventures & love of trains ALL the time! Trains are his favorite, and you're a close second! It was just his 61st birthday & Father's Day is coming up, & I wanted to ask if you'd be willing to give him a shoutout as a big fan! Thanks dude, stay safe & heal fast!
It’s good to see that you seem to be feeling better, I was very excited to see this new video
Shoestring, ' Our Rail King'..
Thank you so much for bringing us great content. Adventure and educational. just plain awesome how honest, humble, and real you are. You are highly intelligent, notice patterns, well studied, read, and educated. You know extensively through and through about something if it relates to your interest, others interest you like to share, or your path. I hitchhiked the Country for years, corner to corner. I was a loner. I seen this land like no other ever will I thought back then. I think you have truly seen this country like no other ever. train for transportation and sight to sight, cool place too nat park, coast too coast in no time. I'm not to old but I got really tired of the hard ground after 10 years or more. Now I can live my adventures through you. thank you so much Rail King. I hope that name catches on. The Rail King. be safe Mark. God Bless you.
Very enjoyable, did you find out what the problem was ?
Shoestring your a National Treasure!
For me, best video yet. So much stuff you will never see anywhere else. Im a kanaka maole but I love trains. Shoestring is da bomb
Hey shoestring, there are several derailments countrywide today. How about an approximate location? Cheers and happy hoboing mate!!!✌👍👍
Being that there is a branch of the Watauga River named "Massengill Branch" in Piney Flats, TN (he lives just a few klicks southwest of the town of Piney Flats in the nearest city) and he shows the walk-in box trackside at CP Piney Flats @ 22:12 = the approximate location would probably be Piney Flats.
May God continue to bless you. Despite what you’re going through you not letting it keep you away from the railroad.