If any family members are maintaining this channel. I offer my sincerest condolences. Mark will be missed by all of us. He will never be forgotten.

RIP Mark. Thanks for inviting us to your campfire one last time. ☕️

The ghost of Hobo Shoestring will be seen on every rail line in North America forever. If you ever need a ride or a good story, Hobo Shoestring will appear for eternity with his smile and gentleness.

“He was only a hobo but one more is gone” Bob Dylan. I rode the rails in the sixties, I remember every single person who was nice to me. That nice lady who gave me a free hamburger when I just ordered a small fries. Thank you, you made a difference in my life!

This is Shoestring's final video. Thank you for the years of interesting, informative videos about living outdoors and on the rails. They calmed a lot of people's minds. Calmed a lot of nerves. The Bob Ross of Hobos some might say. In this final video, he mentions that he is happy that his videos help all of those who are sick. Mark was a lot sicker in physical health than most people realize. He did the best that he could with the hand he was dealt. An unusual, exciting life he lived. He meant no harm to anyone. He was what he was. A kind soul at his core. If you were close to him or a big fan of his videos, let's celebrate his life and be happy. That's what he would have wanted. RIP Shoestring. Your spirit is still here, riding the rails forevermore. Every time i see a freight train rolling down the tracks while driving in my car, I'll always remember him.

I’m a retired railroader and always liked Shoestrings videos. A very interesting man. RIP old soul.

RIP brother Hes hoppin trains in heaven now may his channel remain as a memorial to his interesting life.

He did something we all wish we could do. He lived free. I did not know him but enjoyed his videos. I will miss him. I will honor him by putting a likeness of him in my HO train layout.

Look at what Shoestring left us. What a incredible legacy. Proof positive that you don't need a lot of money to be happy and successful. He traveled more miles in one year that many will for their entire lives.

We can know for sure that Mark was so proud of what he had accomplished with his KZfaq channel. I remember the video where he showed us his plaque from KZfaq for achieving 100,000 subscribers. And I remember how important it was for Mark to let us know that KZfaq income had made him financially independent and that he did not need social assistance any longer. Mark was very happy and proud of his success. We can find comfort in the knowledge that we helped Mark to achieve his dream just by watching his videos. Thank you, Shoestring, for sharing your adventures with us.

This man had more class than any politician that ever lived,given a choice I would vote for hobo " Shoestring", Thank you for the honest entertainment....R.I.P

For those of you who love and miss Mark he was buried in Britt, Iowa. Type in Hobo Convention 2024 and you will find 2 videos of a memorial service and a look at Mark's headstone.

In the shadows of the trainyard, Where dust swirls and echoes fade, Lies the memory of a hobo, Known as Shoestring the KZfaq renegade. With a camera in his hand, He documented life on the trails, Sharing stories of adventure, And the joys of riding the steel rails. He captured the beauty of the open land, From the mountains to the deserts, with a steady hand. His videos were a window into a world unseen, A glimpse into the life of a wanderer, a man with a dream. So rest in peace, dear Shoestring, ride on in the sky, May your videos live on, may your spirit never die. For the hobo in you will forever remain, In the hearts of those who loved you, and in the rhythm of the train.

I'm in tears. 😢 Being a retired railroad employee I should have been against what he was doing. Nope!!! I loved watching his videos with my husband whom I met at "the railroad". Shoestring will surely be missed. Please keep his channel active in memoriam. RIR(rest in rail) Shoestring, the friend I never met. Hugz n prayerz for his family and friends. 💙🙏🏾💜

R.I.P. Shoestring. You lived the way YOU wanted, wild and free.

I’ll miss so much about Shoestring. One thing I’m sure to miss is his sense of humor. Seemed like such a good guy with a good heart. RIP Shoestring.

As someone who found Shoestring on a random 3am rabbit hole during the COVID days, always loved the videos you posted. You took me places of the world I can’t go and showed me a lifestyle I loved to experience through you. RIP Shoestring

As a railroader, i was glad to have met him a few times when he came through Chicago. I worked for UPRR and now for BNSF and have ran into him on both. Like the late Stobe and Stu he was a real salt of the earth guy!! Highball on the Westbound Shoestring. If any family is looking at this, my condolences!!

If any family members maintain his channel, please, give him a proper shoestring autograph on his headstone. We would be more than happy to donate. Rest easy, buddy❤

To Mark's family, I am so sorry for your loss. Mark was a treasure!!! he had seen more of this country then most of us could ever imagine. He had a special gift, and I will always treasure the memories he brought back. God bless you all.

To the family. My sincere condolences. I hope you'll continue to leave this channel up for all of us. Maybe if any unseen footage is discovered it can be added. He meant so much to so many. We will miss you forever and we will love you forever, Shoestring. Legends never die. You'll live on in our hearts & memories forever. Thank you, sir. God speed. My most sincere condolences again to his family. My continued love & prayers for them as well. May God comfort them and give them strength & peace during this time. God bless, Shoestring! 🙏 💙 🛤

RIP Shoestring. You'll be missed more than you will ever know. God bless you and your family.

I just found out, I read they found you in the lake by your apartment after a Silver Alert. Thank you for taking us along all these years and especially during Covid. I'll always look for hobos when a train goes by. Ride in peace brother.

Well shit. I was just thinking i havent seen anything from HS lately, came here, and damn. RIP SHOESTRING. It was great listening to your stories and watching your travels.

It's funny but I have no interest in trains or riding the rails but I found myself fascinated by Hobo Shoestring. I watched every video he ever made and looked forward to a new release. He had such a presence that captivated me. Loved his stories and passion. He will be sorely missed by me and many others. Rest in peace friend.

RIP Shoestring! Truly was a living legend. A part of American History he is.

Left this comment on his last community post, I'll drop it here too. One of the best friends I never met. "Brother jukebox , sister wine. Mother freedom, father time. Since she left me by myself, You're the only family I've got left." Fair winds and following seas (to mix a metaphor)and an open boxcar to keep you out of the weather. Hand Salute... (ships bell)... Shoestring departing... (Que the lonesome train horn in the middle of the night) May peace be upon you.

Shoestring and Stobe, together at last, riding the rails, seeing the most beautiful scenery there is. Two beautiful souls. RIP 🚂☮️ 💜 💟🖤🤍🩵☮️🚞

His pain and discomfort are over. We all will sorely miss him but can take comfort he is now at peace riding the rails in heaven. May his memory be a blessing to all. RIP Shoestring ❤

I’ve always envied Shoestring, he has lived as free as a person could in this modern world. I will miss him. God rest his soul.

I've been watching Shoestring for a few years now, and I realized today I hadn't seen a video from him in a while, so I looked him up. I was shocked and devastated to find that he had passed. RIP Shoestring. Your free spirit had a true impact on my life and how I live.

Please come home Mark. Lord, guide this beautiful man home. Keep him safe and let him return to all of us who truly love and care for him. You've helped him through many trials and troubles before and even more now he needs You. He is lost, and needs You to guide him home, to protect him in this, his time of great need. Please bring him safely through this. We all love and miss him Lord. Please bring him back to us.

I'm almost 78 years old and I don't get out and about much and watching your videos always takes me on a journey . There's so much in this world to see and thank you for bringing it to us in your own innumerable way. Roll on my friend roll on.

I'm going to miss him. I can't count how many nights I've fallen asleep to this man telling stories of his adventures.

This is the best last video, sitting around the campfire telling stories and making good food. RIP to a legend... All Cadillac grainers, clear signls, and not a bull in sight ❤

Rest in peace shoestring, we love you man.

I drive a semi truck I’d put on this channel and shoestring would tell me stories as we drove across the USA he will always ride with me on my travels. Love you brother. ❤❤❤❤❤❤

Gut punch, Hobo Shoestring thanks for the adventures, you were one of a kind, I'll miss you stranger. My condolences to family, friends, and YT community.

I am from Argentina, and I literally live 3 blocks away from a rail only used by cargo trains. Each time one of these big boys passes by, here is someone that thinks on you Mark, and whishes you well, wherever you are, nothing but good thoughts and energy. You did accomplished so much more than many of us, by just being yourself and letting us breathe the clean air you enjoyed in your videos by this strange media for many of us was an scape in times of darkness. World wasn´t entirely fair with you but be sure clean souls like yours are meant to dwell in a good place. That´s a thought that warms our heart, for little it might seems.

Goodbye and thank you, Shoestring. It may be the end of the ride, but your legend rolls on forever.

RIP Shoestring, not sure if I ever commented, but I always loved your content and learning the ways of the land, hearing stories , and you showing your love for the open country. By watching your videos, seeing your adventures first hand, you took me out of my own life and brought me into another, and I Thank you for that, and for your service Mark 🫡 😢 you will be heavily missed.

Very fitting last video with Shoestring telling stories one last time. R.I.P. thanks for the knowledge you shared with all of us.

I remember watching his videos on hot summernights with no ac, it brought me joy and peace. I came to watch him again and found out hes passed. i hope it was his time and not something else god bless his soul.

Rest easy Mark. Thanks for sharing yourself and your journey with us. See you on the other side.

The signal to heaven is clear, legend. Thank you for everything.

I admire the free life Hobo Shoestring lived. He lived life his way and seemed to be at peace. He set an example for others to follow. We miss you Mark. See you in Heaven. Brother.

Mark was a true survivalist and there's so much to learn from his videos. I get chills knowing that this was the end of the line with his videos, we will never get another one. R.I.P. legend!

I am sick with pneumonia and your wishes for better health made me smile. Thank you kind gentleman. I wish you well in your travels. Thank you so much for your videos, they brighten my day.

Pray for me Shoestring, i'm bedridden. I enjoy your videos a lot. I 🙏 pray for you daily. In God's love, I love you my friend.

Tf man…. One of the few people in this world I truly respected. RIP my friend

Miss you Mark. RIP Shoestring ❤ thank you for your service 🇺🇲

RIP Hobo Shoestring ❤️🙏❤️🙏

Mark caught the westbound as they say. 4/05/24. RIP shoestring. Been watching his vids for 4 years. Stobes also. Now they are both gone. Sad day

Now hobo Shoestring and Stobe the hobo can talk rails together forever in eternity. 2 of the best men the rails had to offer. Thanks for the memories-- love you, Mark. 🚂✝️♥️

Rest in peace Shoestring, thank you for all the adventures.

My heart breaks for Shoestring. I have a bad feeling about this but I just hope he is found safe.

Thanks for the shout out mark. Hopefully we can meet next to the tracks and hang out and cook some tramp dinner and have stories times about the old days on the rails...😊

He's in God's arms now. Rest easy old timer. Lord knows you earned it.

Miss you Hobo. Glad you documented your amazing life. R.I.P.

R.I.P. my good friend I'll always miss you but never forget you. Thanks for the memories. Fly high Shoestring hope you're having fun train hopping the Heavenly Express in the sky.

My 2 young sons Nathan, Matthew, and I are heart broken. We have watched years of adventures with Hobo Shoestring. R.I.P. he was truly free and that is awesome! So glad we found this channel so Many years ago, and all of you guys on here. ❤ be well guys.

I'll admire this man for the rest of my life. When he spoke about his mental health, the comfort he found on the back of a train listening to everything go by under a steady rumble, he found his place. The thing that worked for him. You can't pay money for peace of mind like that. And you can't fake it either. I'm almost 32 years old, and I'm still desperately searching for the back of my train somewhere. I'm so glad he found his.

RIP Shoestring. The best of souls.

Rest In Peace Shoestring I hope you are in that great catch out in the sky along with all the ancient hobos and stobe the hobe. You leave a great open hole to be filled you would be happy to know there are some who follow in your path and maintain the spirit alive be well and keep a fire lit for us still here on this plain. Your friend in time and space -Juan

So sad to hear the news😢 I hope this channel can stay up in his memory. He was like family to many people from all over. ❤

You are a good and thoughtful man Mark. Your Hobo Shoestring family prays for your safety and wellbeing too.

Matt spoke fondly of you again tonight Hobo. I came back to make sure your channel is still up, it is. 👍 6/18/24

We have his wonderful videos to help us keep him alive. We will miss you Mark very much with all our hearts. See you soon my brother!! Thank you so much for all you gave us!!

I broke down and cried a few days ago when I heard about a true human I'd never met died.

Salt of the earth! All these kind hearted folks going on home to glory. Thank you Mark

Rest easy, Mark. This one hurt to find out. You’re an inspiration to a lot of people.

R.I.P. Mr. Shoestring. He will be missed very much by so many people and I am one of them.❤

love it that you shouted out the Yard buzzards, they are truly great people that I had the honor of hanging out with a few times! Love you too Shoestring!

Shoestring was a veteran and a helicopter mechanic at that. He loved the outdoors and being on the move. Truckers are somewhat the same way. Mark let over two hundred thousand of us into his live. Some very lucky fans got to meet up with him. Having ridden the rails many times in my life, albeit in a comfortable coach, there is something romantic about train travel. Keep riding them rails Shoestring.

I dread this last video getting older and older, thanks for everything Mark. God bless ya man.

RIP Shoestring! The Railroading community has lost a member!! Say hi to Hobo Stobe for us all!!

RIP Shoestring !!!! You will be greatly missed . Your videos have been wonderful to watch .

beautiful memories watching Hobo make his way around. I learned so much about railways. Timeless. God bless you Shoestring

The world is worse off without Hobo Shoestring.

RIP Shoestring. You will be greatly missed.

Dude, you used more of those fire starters then you needed. You can stretch out your supply waaaaay more. Rock on Hobo Shoestring!!

Your on my mind tonight shoestring. Will be falling asleep tonight with your videos playing. Have been now for a while. There is so much wisdom here. I want to preserve all your memories on multiple hard drives so I can show them to my grandkids. We love and miss you. But your as free as the wind now.

I don’t know exactly how I stumbled across shoestrings’ channel. I assume it was probably one late night I couldn’t sleep and was just watching random camping videos only to come accross shoestrings channel. What an adventure he brought me on. Again just the other day it had been a while since I had Wallace’s one of his videos the algorithm put something on my feed about him being found deceased. Such a tragic ending to a unique individual looking for adventure on the rails. Thank you hobo Showstring your legacy will live on

I just had to come on here to hear your voice again .,.,. Rest in Peace old fellow .,., thank you for everything you gave us

Prayers Shoestring. I know God is with you.

Boy, I sure do miss our hobo. God bless Shoestring.

I’m commenting from Dayton Ohio at this moment while visiting the US Air Force museum and remembering Shoestring. The many train tracks crossed on this cross country trip is a solid reminder of these videos full of stories from him. We all miss him.

Just seen the missing poster on reddit and my heart dropped, been following this dude for a couple years, would be a damn shame if he passed away

RIP mate! What a great character who left a wonderful legacy.

Just found out about this. Made me cry. I loved his videos...poor guy. THE LEGEND OF HOBO SHOESTRING . Best Hobo to ever ride the rails....last of a breed. You will be missed, we love you bro. R.I.P

Watching railroad videos will never be the same without Shoestring. R.I.P. Shoestring

Born in 1972 To young to of moved on. I am 64 and enjoyed watching all his videos. You caught that big red caboose to heaven my friend. Starting a whole new journey. RIP

Shoestring please be okay. We're all praying that you're found safe and sound..

Rip Shoestring, your videos touched a lot of people,Deff a good soul, never forget when I met u a long time ago when I was walking the tracks,😊

RIP Mark (Hobo Shoestring). Thank you for your entertainment. You were greatly appreciated. 🙏🏼✝️

If what the recent news going around is true, ride in peace Shoestring. No matter the outcome, your stories and our memories of you will keep living on 💖💖💖

Shoestring is loved that's for sure. Hopefully he is found soon and in good health.

Rest easy Shoestring. A genuine human being right here in Hobo Shoestring. Not many honest down to earth folk left like Shoestring. My sincere condolences to Shoestring’s family and friends.

Ive been folliwing your videos for the last 4 yrs always waited for the newest ones rest in peace good buddy now i look at all the old ones from 11 yrs ago one think i can say hobo shoestring you lived life you wanted to live you lived life on your terms seen you transform from a rail renagade to good hearted rail king god bless you shoestribg

Shoestring we need you back. Your story isn’t over. You have more miles to ride. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤