If Shoestring's videos were a rail and hobo culture documentary series on television, it would win Emmy's. It is the most authentic possible presentation of this unique part of American history and culture-- and the host isn't an actor reading a script, he's lived this and knows it. Thanks for your amazing work Shoestring!

14:35 Hobos 100 years ago: "I felt a sprinkle, might rain" Hobos 2021: "Felt a sprinkle, better check the Doppler radar"

If KZfaq didn't exist, we'd probably never to see this kinda shit. It's really interesting to hear your views and input about all this stuff. Stay safe out there, brother.

Your living my old dream. In my teens i loved hiking the tracks around my home in Illinois. I'd carry a pack and my fishing rod a head off down the tracks. But out of high school I joined the air force and then life changed. Now I'm retired and 66 and watching your vids takes me back to those simpler times. Thank you.

25 thumbs-up and no views....lol

At around 12:30 this morning, a CSX train struck a boulder on the tracks near Clinchco, Virginia causing two locomotives and seven rail cars to derail. There were no injuries to the crew. The derailed locomotives and cars are all upright and inline. There were no leaks or spills of any freight.

What a nice guy 👍🏼 Patient, honest, knowledge and tons of grit It'd be an honor to have him for a friend 👍🏼🦅🇺🇸

This man has forgotten more in the past week then I will learn in my next 50 years.your knowledge is amazing.

Growing up in Houston during the 70’s - 80’s me and my friends would walk the RR tracks for miles.. After watching some of your videos now, you have explained a lot of the stuff we saw along the way.. You have a new sub, your travels remind me of my youth exploration on the weekends.

The good Lord is looking out for you brother. Your ride was not to be at this time...

We used to pick those glass marbles up as kids in Zephyr, Texas. That is not too far from Stephenville. That is neat to hear you mention that. Brings back memories.

R.I.P. Mark!!! It is now my mission to re-watch every Shoestring video and make sure I have Liked them all. You are sadly missed.🙏🙏🙏

Nice fire making skills. It's nice making a fire whenever and wherever you can. Glad you're safe man!

Hey Shoestring. Thanks for these posts. It's cool hanging out with you. I have to admit, I got scared when you started that fire then walked away with all those leaves unattended. One got away from me one time in that exact same manner. Scared the crap out of me I really didn't think I was gonna get it back under control. Anyway, be safe brother.

Glad you weren't on that train, warm and safe at home. Looking forward to the next adventure

Coming across this video really sets the mood. It was a great experience to be able to get to know you mark. I miss ya bud i hope youre resting easy and enjoying a good root beer float with the man himself.

Hey Shoestring, just looked on google maps and found the propane tank immediately. Love your travels, my grandparents lived by tracks when I was a kid and they would hire hobos to help on their turkey farm. I also have a Britt Hobo Days t-shirt from many years ago

I love that caboose! Yesterday I filmed a CSX bay window caboose with a remote control locomotive

That’s the original Clinchfield Railroad (now part of CSX), a 277-mile through-freight route and coal hauler that uses 55 tunnels and over 10-miles of bridges to traverse some of the most rugged mountains in the Appalachians.

Respect for this Man and his life....

Never a disappointment, everything happens for a reason. Stay safe out there ol' buddy!

Tennessee loves Shoestring!!

I gotta say mark i found you a week or two ago and I love the videos! I went way back and watched some old videos when you were drinking...man you are way better making them now! Stay sober my friend and live the life the rest of us dream of! Keep safe and take care of yourself my friend.

A good substance to use as a fire starter is the lint from a clothes dryer

Hi shoe string i love you bro , i know that you suffer from Asperger's as i do and like yourself it has affected my ability to make and keep friends , and has tended me to live large parts of my life more solitary than i would ever wish, and i know that you acknowledge your suffering from Asperger's and how it has affected your life too i know that you have made some accommodation's with it , so much so from my observations you come across as such a lovely friendly guy that any one would to know and be friends with, having said that i know none of us ever put all our personal problems in front of the camera, but what you do put in front of camera is absolutely wonderful and so likeable, and really mean that, i know you you work really hard to make these fascinating videos' and i love you so much for it, god bless you, for you are an incredible guy and a blessing to mankind take good care bro. P.S. The United States of America is utterly mind blowing to us to us from the UK, the awesome size and power of America is so hard to take in, my dad fell in love with America when i was young but the authorities turned down his emigration application to the US on medical grounds due to his military service injuries from WW2 which must have devastated him, but i understand why that they could not allow it to happen, I am equally in awe of America too and so glad that we are allies and so thankful forever that you came to our aid in ww2 .

Hope you staying warm shoestring. Love your videos man, stay safe out there.

Love the videos! Just know every video you make, lots of people are enjoying it

Good to see/hear you again Mark...Keep Safe!

I hope u get to see this. But I’m so glad you get to live life freely. I wish you the best in you travels. And from the deepest part of all of us thank you for sacrificing all. Peace and we are always here for you brother✌️

Been watching you since about 17k subs and in about a year your channel really took off. That is a nice thing to see brother keep up the good work

Love your channel Shoestring!! Keep warm.

Glad you're safe. Heard CSX sound it's horn coming through my hometown and was wondering where you were. Heard about the derailment . Glad you weren't on that one. Stay safe and warm .

Happy New Year Mr. Shoestring, I'm glad you are well and safe, its a good thing you weren't on that train. I hope you have a good rest of your trip, and its really cool that you found your Dad again. Be safe, and take care of yourself out there. You are more important then these great videos you make, we would all be so sad of something ever happened to you.

Cold damp gets to me worse than anything. But we thank God for another beautiful Day! Great Video

I've heard that cabooses are now considered a "rear shoving platform" and they're normally used for shoving back over a grade crossing where a crew person needs to get down and flag.

There’s a reason for everything Shoestring, you just weren’t meant to catch out today. There’s always tomorrow. Stay safe there buddy.

I've been waiting patiently since you posted the update last night saying video on Friday. Thanks Shoestring for the entertaining and educational content. I wish you well!

Anyone else get nervous for him watching him light a fire surround by leaves and twigs?

If you're ever in South Georgia and need anything I'm here for you my Brother.

I like your "hides" in the woods and shrubs. Jack London wrote a book about his hobo days and mentioned that the old-timey rail cars had platforms, "hides," upon which one could ride.

I’m sure glad you have friends you can call when you run into situations like this 👍 Stay safe 👍

Stay warm as possible and safe. Love you videos. All these so called survivalist need to hangout with you for a few rides so they can learn something.

Great content as always, love seeing his prospective on everything. Keep up the great work 👍

The scary part of a fast-flowing river is that it is always flowing faster below the surface of the water.

Shoestring: I'm a railroader out of Chicago. Let me know if you come through, I'll hook you up with some crew packs, water, and fusees.

So happy you missed the derailment! Have you ever rode around the horseshoe curve in Pennsylvania? I’ve gone there twice and it’s so fascinating! Take care and be safe.

Love watching your, VIDEOS.!!! GREAT JOB.!!!

This is so weird shoestring, I actually had a dream last night, I was on a train with you and it derailed! Im telling the truth! It was weird, we were up front on a diesel pusher and we rolled over, I thought it was going to be worse but it wasn't thankfully..

#HoboShoestring That's a awesome video I didn't realize that they were that much stuff in that area, thanks for everything you do for us all , stay safe , stay warm and be happy 😁

I'm glad u weren't on it.

i started binge watching you about 2 days ago just wanted to say hello from Sheffield England subbed keep in there big man

Stay safe brother I'm praying for you while your out there on the rails .

Hey Shoestring, I'd be interested in a video of you explaining your protocols & procedures for getting through really inclement weather, if you'd be so inclined. Thanks, & I'm glad you're enjoying your adventures!

What stands out to me is for a guy that spent his live riding the rails. Shoestring is very knowledgeable about a lot of subjects...Smart Guy !

Vaseline an cotton balls ill have to remember that

That fire you started at 7:30, no matter how damp it is it's good practice to clear the ground around it to stop it spreading, in the dryer months even more so. In the mean time safe happy traveling. PS For a bit more stealth with a fire try a Dakota fire hole

I use cotton balls coated with vasaline in my bug out bags and camping bags for good fire starter. And a good piece of lightered knot.

Hey shoestring I noticed you were eating Chobani yogurt, I haul the milk into the plant that makes that yogurt here in Idaho! Since I found your channel I look at trains in a whole new way. Love the videos.

Thanks for picking up the trash when ya can, I do the same when I'm out backpacking or just hiking. Wish more people were like that...

I'd love to buy ya some lunch if you're ever in Huntington.

Enjoyed the video Shoestring. I always pray for you and will continue to do so. Have a good one!!! 👍👍👍❤️

You may know this already but fritos hold a flame for quite a while. I've not tried other chips but I would assume most do since they're soaked in grease. Great for starting a fire. Thanks for the video and stay safe out there Shoestring!

Goodspeed Mr. Nichols, Thank you for all you gave, And all you have given.. R.I.P. Shoestring You are greatly missed,,✌

Im not exactly sure how i came across your channel but really happy i did. The name is Danny and reside in Florida. Great meeting ya Shoestring!

I grew up very close to Clinchco, probably 10-15 minutes away. Enjoy your videos.

Everytime I have a question on something before I get it out you explain it. You sure know your surroundings and much more.

Should figure out how to go live and let us ask you questions about your adventures! That would be slick! Keep on keepin on!

Great video shoestring!!! Glad to see you back on your feet and riding the rails again. Be safe brother and keep your wits out there it's strange day we live now.

May god guid your soul to blessing!

Safe travels, could binge watch your vids...thanks Shoestring!

I was watching trains on Virtual Railroad on KZfaq. One train slowed down and stopped for a couple of minutes. I comment that they were letting Shoestring get on. And man, did they get upset. I was was violating their rules and not making the chat family friendly. On well, your first in my book. Safe travels. Lawrence is a good friend

I was going to ask if you ever. Thanks Shoestring, Love your insight and info Be safe. Central California Watching

Hi Shoestring.....glad you are fine.

Lovin' that Alaska decal! I used to haul a tanker wagon into Eastman Kingsport with Matlack Inc. way back when.

Shoestring...here in Central MA...really like following your experiences out there, been a lifelong fan of the railroad since childhood...

Love u uncle, from maryland. Want u to be safe. My grandfather died in a train wreck in 1969. Made an example for electronic tracking on all these trains.

Well, glad you weren't on the train when it derailed! Hopefully the next one stays glued to the rails, lol. Safe travels brother Mark!

CSX has an old Conrail caboose up here in Rochester NY that we see from time to time. Usually at night on the local delivery trains. However the doors work and the conductor is usually riding inside. Tried to film it a few times but not usually enough light for the camera. Love your videos!

Cut the fingers on your gloves and sew the ends on your stubby fingers. You can sew them with the ends out, and run the stitch over the end to seal it rather than turn it inside out to sew it. Good fishing line is the strongest thread

Sorry for the bad luck at least you found out about it... good to get out n about anyways ‼️

Excellent adventure none the less! Thanks for the walkabout 😎

Thank you. Great work. Take care.

Yeah, that was nice heads-up by the fella who commented on the derailment. Technology is so neat. It is good to have friends.

I love watching your journeys. Safe travels shoestring.

I live in St Cloud MN and we were supposed to get 6 inches yesterday and only got about an inch of snow and more rain than anything. Too warm here. Been in lower 30s the last 3 days

I would rather be overdressed than underprepared because Extreme Cold🥶will cause Frostbite.👍

Dang man your starting to gain traction with the uploads. Love the content Shoestring, stay safe please!

A good one dude love the videos. keep it casual. your style is your own, and thats why we are all watching. Seeing what your up to

Glad you weren't on that train... Stay safe out there Shoestring and God bless!

Really enjoy your videos Shoestring. Safe travels to you.

Dang! Glad to hear you're safe and wasn't on that one.

Love your videos! Stay safe out there.

Snow on that mountain sure looks good I live here in Arkansas we ain't got no snow right now

Dude has had his hand run over by a train arrested many times, been in derailments, froze half to death, locked in a boxcar, and still loves to Roll. True to the life.

Growing up along the tracks in South Central Pa.. I would find those green glass balls that you were talking about. I think I still have some stashed away somewhere.

I’ve been wondering if you were ever on a train when it derailed. Glad to hear it wasn’t too bad in TX!

Nice to hear Eastman, same company in Longview, Tx.

I always enjoy your video's shoestring in my younger days it would have been fun to experience some of the rides with you..You a good feller..:)..Very wise and entertaining!!

That heater is actually for when it is snowing to keep the snow from building up in the switch points so the maintenance guys don't have to clean the snow out of the switch. I work for a railroad. All I am going to say is be careful brother. I love your videos

I have trouble finding gloves large enough,too. I found some good flannel/leather work gloves in XXL at the habitat re-store.Bought every pair they had and I'll use 'em too.