What a shame. Pretty sure we lost this guy in March, 2024. Such a smart guy that you would not expect. I can't help but wonder where it went wrong in the distant past for him. Just a classy guy. RIP, Mark and condolences to all that loved him.

My dad was a engineer as long as the guys didnt cause trouble he didnt mind them riding. One winter several years ago pops was checking the back engines and he ran across a guy in the back engine. He told pops plz man dont kick me out it's cold outside. He told him ok you can stay but stay down dont let anyone see you. The guy says ok no problem thanks man. Pops went back to front engine and started his trip. Little bit into the trip he went threw a crossing and noticed when he let off the horn he still heard it. Walks back to back engine and there sat the guy in the engineer seat blowing the horn and waving at people. Lol so much for keeping low profile. ..

You have no idea how glad I am that you kicked alcohol and opiates man. They are both truly demons.

Hope these videos stay online. I’ll watch them forever. Never thought i would be interested in this but it’s honest entertainment and i know what a cadillac grainer is now.

Welcome to 2020, where even hobos and homeless people can have their youtube channels... Great content...

AS a veteran thank you for your service brother. I hope your getting assistance through the VA. I do and they have saved my life. Great to hear your off the beer and drugs.

Oh the hell of alcohol withdrawal, gone are the days of me sitting in bars in Ireland trying to stop the shakey hands until I could get the whisky to my mouth, thank god, you're looking well Shoestring👍

A scary story. Getting locked in a boxcar was one of my greatest fears, and in my day there were no cell phones. I usually tried to find one with both doors open. Fear of getting locked in is one of the reasons I liked grain cars more than any other car other than cabooses.

Love hearing your stories.

This guy is a natural stand-up comedian, so deadpan

Always learning from you Shoestring! Keep 'em coming! Watching your videos is better than watching TV!

I can sit and listen to your stories all day long Shoestring. So glad you are sober now Stay safe and stay healthy buddy.

The felt fabric they use under the ties is used as a mud blocker. When they do undercutting, they unroll the roll of felt where there is mud issues, then lay the track on top of the felt.. Thats how conrail did it in the 80's.

"Coal Mines to the left of me, Coal mines to the right" "Here I am.." "Stuck in the middle of no where" "And I cant see my train anywhere"

"You're gonna lock me up after I just spent hours locked in a boxcar?" Lmao ! Over a case a day ? I didn't know all that. I'm glad things are better for you. Blessed be my friend.

Watching all Marks videos for a 3rd time is still entertaining n priceless

I sure do miss ole Shoestring. He was one of the rare few that I really enjoyed watching. RIP old feller. I look forward to seeing you.

Thank you for the videos hobo shoestring we love and miss you and you will never be forgotten r.i.p ride high up there my friend 🙏

Just ran across your channel. I'm 77. lived in Redwood City, Ca. as a kid. Me and my 3 buddies hung around the freight yard a lot., drank wine with the hobos, rode box cars to S. San Fran, and back. We were all about 15 . Longest trip was to El Paso, Tx. On 6 different trains. I could write a book about that trip. Lucky I'm alive! Nice to see people still hoppin' trains. I'll be back to check the rest of your Vids out. Thanks Shoestring!!

When I was hopping freights, I always dropped an old spike in the rail on the boxcar door religiously. My mentor taught me that, from previous experience.

I love hearing your stories. Keep up the good work and stay safe.

Your really informative! Just found your channel and subscribed. Love hearing your stories. You kind of remind me of Merle Haggard. I live out in Oregon and am a rail fan sort of. My Grandpa and Dad worked Railroads all their working life. Grandpa was 44 years with L&N our of Evansville. Dad was SP out of Southern Oregon. 42 years. He had some good Caboose stories. He use to have to run off guys that were riding, but most of the time he said he would look away especially when it was cold in those mountains. He retired in 86’ thanks for sharing! Great stories!! We grew up next to the tracks and I recall many people riding the rails. Be safe! Notice the Amtrak on my profile picture.. 😂 glad your Sober! I have 10 years. I thought 12 a day was a lot! I remember feeling like you though... 😫

Fun fact: that felt you described in the beginning has nothing to do with vegetation growth. Those mats are used around corners for “flange greasers”, when a train rounds a corner a sensor automatically sprays grease on the insides of the rail so there’s lesser resistance with the contact of the wheel flange to the inside of the rail causing less strain in the rail structure itself. Those mats are laid in the gauge so absorb the grease and are changed out every so often or at least they should be. Railroads use extremely toxic spray chemicals against vegetation growth, as many abandoned rail lines still don’t have much vegetation due to the ground sprayed for so long.

FURX --First Union Rail is a locomotive and car leasing. Felt paper isn't put under ballast, it's used around wheel greasers to keep the grease from seeping into the ground. The whole point of ballast is drainage. Railroads lease trains that spray the weeds. Many power plants east of Mississippi get Powder River coal. thanks, former NS conductor

Hobo shoestring, I recently found your Channel , subscribed, and can't get enough of your hobo videos I love how you are so informative and your knowledge of trains and your love for trains is quite obvious. I'm from Denver and keep your videos coming.

It's amazing that box car Willie's are still around in 2020! I've known two young women that hopped a freight, I said they were insane! One went across the country and the other went several hundred miles and got touch of frostbite. LOL

Mad respect to you Mr.Shoestring, for having the willpower to layoff the alcohol. Withdrawals are scary from what I've heard of them...hell I haven't ever drunk alcohol, save for tiny sips out of the cool adults' drinks..but even now as an adult I would never start drinking, seeing how it can wreck up lives!

Love your stories Mark. So glad you were able to kick the alcohol habit. Stay safe bro

Watching u for a few years buddy...love the stories...stay safe out there shoestring...happy trails x

Great story, nice voice over of Nancy the 911 operator 🤣.... Dunnage in my area is scrap wood used to keep material off the ground so that it can be picked with forklift 🇨🇦👍

Great Story, Shoestring. Had my attention the whole way. Thanks and god bless.

"Well, I'm walkin down these ties, I got blood in my eyes. Shearing tears for those spirits riding Westbound in the sky. These railyards are littered with the ghosts of them ol Hobo's. The spirit of the Engineer, the Breakman and the Bull, All part of a history that's so seldom told. As I sit in the shadow of a hopper fulla coal, I can smell that creasol, And I'll never forget this old iron road. And oh, there's somethin bout a train, Just can't seem to keep it off my brain. Always respect her and never neglect her, She can be one hell of a snake. And oh, there's somethin bout that freight, The way that it moves and the way that it shakes, The way that it knows just where I'm supposed to go, Even when I don't." "Somethin Bout A Train", 2nd verse and chorus -Riley Coyote Don't hear many people talk about the creasol lol That songs one of the few times I've ever heard the word other than 1 ol cat I rode with a few times on and off lol Good dude, but a little out there. Now you! "I don't hitchhike, man. I wait for trains. I can sit around And wait for days. I'm tellin you, you ride with me, Don't be do damn impatient and leave! You wait an hour, I'll wait 2 more, You wait for 2 days, I'll wait 4. I'm tellin you, you ride with me, We'll be goin somewhere that ya never, ever seen." "No Crew Change - An Ode to Profane Sass" -Kat Gut Goretet Waiting is a part of it that I always struggled with and don't look forward to doing again lol But some of the best moments of my life have happened at a catch spot with a road dog or even strangers. It is what ya make it a lot of the time. But some spots are absolutely miserable to get out of. I feel your pain. "That if I ever drink again It's going to kill me or I'm just going to wish that it did. I'll tell you right now I didn't quit shooting dope To watch the border patrol pull this shit unopposed!" "Gospel Music For The Coming Social War" -Ramshackle Glory Glad ya ain't drinking anymore. I drank really heavy for a good while. But my main issue was the dope. I kicked the booze with a seizure or two, horrible shakes and a bunch of misery but that heroin was a whole other ballgame after a while. Eventually I got in bad enough shape that I knew I was dead and while I'd accepted for years I'd likely die of an overdose, I eventually got to the point where I couldn't. I was also deep in a bunch of street shit that I was sick of dealing with. So I decided to head to stay with a cousin far from my home base and eventually crawled off a CSX in Florida and have mostly been housed up ever since. Taken short rides/trips and I'm a staple at the local hopouts but I'm getting to the point where this life is gonna kill me lol Can't do it anymore. But I'm also getting older. It's rough. Not a lotta in between to settle on either. It's kinda pick one and accept the consequences either way. But this mess is for the birds. Safe travels and mind that arm, family. 💨

you amaze me the lifestyle you lead KEEP ON HOPPING

Hey I just started watching your channel, brother it's a awesome escape from all the trash on the News or other KZfaq channel's right now. You've gave me some insight on things, I realized I've lived by the 15 Hobo Commandment' s or as close as I can my whole life. That's a very respectable set of rules to live by.

I worked at Comanche peak for over 15years and knew a man by the name of Nichols(not sure of spelling). He had a beard like yours and played a mean game of chess. Maybe just coincidence. Anyway, I was an engineer on the MOPAC in the 70’s and enjoy your videos. You surely know your stuff! Of course in my day, hobos were allowed to ride and we were on good terms. I wish I’d made videos from my seat!

Thanks for sharing your Story and Thanks also for getting Clean & Sober. You’re doing Great! 👍

Hobestobe got very knowledgeable riding these rails. Lots of wisdom..Hes well missed

I love the hell out of this guy. Has not a worry in the world! Keep em coming!

I absolutely love the videos. I have been binge watching ur videos for days

I've worked on machinery that load boxcars and it was hot in the summer. Being locked in one on a summer day would be a sure way to end it all! Glad you were as to escape!

FOD is Foreign Objects and Debris. Dunnage is loose material used to pack and stabilize loads in truck/train trailers, planes, or ships holds. It can be wood boards to airbags to foam. Pretty much any material to keep a load from shifting is called dunnage

What a magical special man, a lengend that won’t be replicated Rest in Peace Sir

I just love your storytelling. You have a such a talent.

Love these vids man, stories are great

I enjoy the stories. My favorite video of yours is the one where you were talking about your radio that could pick up a dog turd on the moon!!😂

Great story Shoe String, really enjoy hearing about your adventures.

Thank you for sharing your story. Happy you are in a better place now. Being dependent on anything sucks.

Yea, I watch you from NYC find you an exceptionally interesting person, very relaxing watching your videos and hearing you narrate. I’m happy you’re sober too I used to drink to excess…. Blessings Steve S

The next time you go in a box car bring a brace bit , drill bit and half dozen hacksaw blades and a handle to hold hacksaw blades . There are hacksaws that are one-handed hacksaws that hold only one side of the blade firmly in place . If you get trapped inside just drill a hole and then put the hacksaw in the hole and cut your way out . The drill bit diameter has to be slightly larger then the blade height or else the blade won't fit in the hole .

Sober 17 years...best thing I ever did

You're a damn fine storyteller, Mark. I don't mean bullshot artist...I can tell when I am hearing the real deal, and that's the real deal, told very well. Good story, well told

Love these stories

Wow. That story was quite interesting. It sure wouldn’t be fun to be trapped in a boxcar. Remember we are always praying for you. Take care. 👍👍👍❤️🙏🏻

I drove down to North Carolina from Michigan a while back. Drove through Clifton Forge - literally by accident - just taking the scenic ( non Interstate ) route and found it . Right in the middle I slammed on the brakes and backed up . Pulled into the C&O museum and went and got some pictures of 614 , as the Greenbrier Presidential. Nice little place ! You can feel the rail history throughout the entire area !

Happy you kicked that demon alcohol to the curb. Thanks for the videos Shoestring.

Ahah such a good story, loved every second of it. Thanks for this Shoe.

Great edge of your seat Shoestring glad you made it out A OK and got yourself some detox treatment 🇺🇸

Is there a way I can contact you Shoestring? I’m in Birmingham and if you ever come through here I’d love to buy you something to eat & stuff

Just found your channel and subbed...great story!!! I'm hooked. Man that box car would've freaked me out!! Lol

I could sit and listen to your stories all day. I know you weren't laughin' then, but glad you lived through it to have a laugh about it now,.

I learned about spiking the door in The Hobo Handbook. That is using a spike in the door track to keep the door from closing all the way.

Hope, you’re surgery went well. TKS for respecting the RR, the employees and their equipment. J.R.

Hope someone’s home to accept a package tomorrow,you know what I’m talking about.Stay safe.

One of the best bands to ever come out

Really enjoy the stories. Thnx

You are the real deal! We love your channel. Love the boxcar story!

Great content. It sure is fun riding the rails vicariously with you.

Shoo buddy,,, been through the hideous torture of alcohol many times, that's why I quit, , it would get so unbearable I couldn't stand it but,, had to stand it, I'm 49 now & lived the alcohol nightmare for over 35 years, glad you're doing better 😜

What a storyteller. YOU are A#1

Love it , keep up the good story telling,mark, the shoestring hobo, thanks y’all BigAl California.

You met some nice cops and they looked after you after you were stick on the box car I had the same experence after a road accident the cop who was fully armed took.me to the local hospital here in the UK You definitely happier on you travels keep it up, thanks Best wishes and keep safe

ive been a social butterfly ie beer drinking since i was 17......joined the military and also drank, im 51 in a couple weeks and today marks exactly for the 1st time in my life without a drop of alcohol for 22 days...... never got withdraws but the restless sleeping and night sweats were the worst of it... now i sleep like a baby, have the nicest yard in the neighborhood and i ride my harley and appreciate life far more than i ever knew.... i even gave all my alcohol to the neighbor guy and he said he will paint my car at his bodyshop for free because hes been coming home for the last 3 weeks to his front and back yard nicely mowed.......

Great story! As a C&O fan who helps support the RR museum in Clifton Forge, I doubted that coal loads would be westbound through there. I went to the Virginia Department of Mines Minerals and Energy web site and found that coal fields east of Clifton Forge have not been active since the 1950's. Usually, U in a hopper reporting mark would stand for Utilities, but in this case (FURX) it's First Union, the bank that merged into Wells Fargo. They own thousands of railroad cars and even some locomotives.

Thank you for your stories & knowledge of riding the rails.

BET NICE TO SEE THE COUNTRY. GO WHERE YOU WANT SLEEP WHEN YOU WANT. I LOVE THE OUTDOORS BET SO MUCH IN THIS COUNTRY TO SEE TAKE A LIFETIME TO SEE IT ALL. LOTS OF PEOPLE WANT TO GO TO OTHER COUNTRIES. BUT I DON'T SO MUCH TO TO SEE IN OUR USA.

As a young trainmen I hated working on coal trains because when you had to make a stop you always got to hit in the back the train would run into you one time I was on a caboose or weight car in 13 cars from the rear end broke loose and went in the ditch and it seem like our way car or caboose wasn't going to stop I hate Cole train I almost got killed but I went on to retire from the Chicago Northwestern 43 years never thought I'd say this but I sure miss it love your videos keep up the good work

I'm glad you got help my brother in law is in his 60s and refuses to dry out. I know it can be hard but you can only do it so long before it gets you.

If you ever come through Ogden, Utah let me know brotha. Great vid, be safe out their!

Glad your back round Shoestring! I missed you!

Glad to hear you’re doing better!! Thank god you got out!

FURX is a leasing company by the name of First Union Rail Leasing. They have all kinds of cars and a lot of GP locomotives. We had a GP38-2 from Furx here in Sioux Falls a while back. Purple engines...

They weren't keen on trying to get you out but they sure were keen on arresting ya it's good listening to your stories

Hey String.....Happy New Year....just discovered your channel yesterday....I've been binge watching , You are Better than Walter Cronkite

I enjoy ur videos, and story times...thanks for bringing us along..stay safe

Thank you for the story. You should write a book. Godspeed my friend.

Great story about being locked in the boxcar. I was listening with great attention.

FURX is First Union Rail, but its new reporting mark is WFRX (Wells Fargo Rail). They're a railcar pooling company and a locomotive leasing company owned by Wells Fargo, and they're the largest one in the USA.

I love watching your videos and hearing your stories!!

Hey I love trains always dreamed of hoping a few, but I struggle with the booze to the point of seizures but 3 months sober and found your videos and hear your struggles with alchol man you see a good man helps with my sobriety thanks

Great show shoestring if I get slammed in a boxcar I go frantic😅

Sometimes I just had to layup somewhere, Got run into the ground with drink go, drink go, No food, little sleep. I'd find a place to hide and hope to recover. Withdrawals so bad, Ya sounds familiar.

Glad you made it out! Nice Carolina Wren singing in the background while telling your story!

Very interesting story - Great that you learned from it and IT not being the last lesson!

FURX is First Union Rail, CITX is Cit group, TILX is Trinity leasing........lol

FURX Stands for First Union Rail leasing. TILX stand Trinity Industries Leasing

I just discovered your channel. I was hooked as soon as I heard you talk. I'm still trying to figure out where you're from.

When I was a kid I wanted to be a hobo ... Now my husband drives me around to see all the country. I think it was because when we would be sitting waiting for a train to pass, my dad would say " there's a hobo on top of that train". I guess it was legal then. I thought it was so glamorous then! ..

Always glad to hear from you.

I really don't want to say this but DRINKN and riding the rails don't mix, especially in an opened boxcar, them doors close can easily, I'm so glad u made it out ok, ALIVE 🙏👍

hey string i never see you run with anyone out on the rail do you just enjoy being by yourself or just dont run into many bo out there anymore ?