I was got stuck in Havre in 1991 - the Amtrak train stopped to refuel and the conductor said I had a half hour. There was a bar/package store right across from the fuel station so I went over there to buy a bottle to take back to the train. I heard the whistle blow and hauled ass only to watch it speed west! So I got the stationmaster to call the train and drop my pack at Glacier. I stayed on some guys couch that night and caught the next westbound Empire Builder and they had my pack waiting for me when I got there! I started riding freights after that and wound up in Yosemite, worked for 3 months and caught an Eastbound stack train in Roseville and made it all the way back to Virginia by way of Chicago, Pittsburgh and Cumberland. I hopped a few times out of Roanoke after that but haven’t ridden much since. I met a lot of awesome folks on the rails but some shady ones too. I kind of miss it - my wife would split if I caught out! Nice to live vicariously through your videos. Thanks Shoestring!
@stillfree473 жыл бұрын
Sounds like you had a good time sir. Good old days
@johnscherf12283 жыл бұрын
Nice story! Thanks for sharing!
@jacknordby14683 жыл бұрын
That was really decent of them to watch over your backpack like that.
@michaelrasmussen4263 жыл бұрын
Any tips for catching out of Roseville?
@rockymountainway87283 жыл бұрын
I've come across some tough times and your videos help me. Thanks.
@TerraExplorations3 жыл бұрын
Me too, kinda takes ya away for a lil while with a friend. 🙂
@rebeccaromig25613 жыл бұрын
I'm mostly homebound, and his videos help me to have a little sense of freedom
@swillm3ister3 жыл бұрын
Hey brother, it will get better. Stay strong.
@seconds-kr5uj3 жыл бұрын
@@rebeccaromig2561 Me too. This is wonderful to watch
@jacknordby14683 жыл бұрын
@@rebeccaromig2561 Take care and stay safe.
@samuelclemens5383 жыл бұрын
I really appreciate your work and all of your hard earned knowledge. I love getting to go with you like this. Thank you for sharing. I pray the Good Lord gives you many more years. Safe travels old buddy
@AS1llyPenguin3 жыл бұрын
Awww yeah a 24-minute video. Hope you're doing well and still having a fun trip Shoestring! Those cinnamon sticks are good.
@chrisgill78243 жыл бұрын
I worked on the production line that built The last two red BNSF hopper cars at the Diesel filling station. I welded the sides of those cars together. We did those cars about 3 years ago. We built about 300 of them. Stay safe Shoestring.
@Kahnza3 жыл бұрын
Hey Shoestring! Greetings from Willmar! I was born and raised in this area. If you have any questions, i'd be happy to answer. If you are still in the area tomorrow, or in the future, send me a message and I can bring you supplies if needed. Love your channel!
@Matthunter07673 жыл бұрын
A trip thru the drive thru is what this man needs! Lol
@Kahnza3 жыл бұрын
@@Matthunter0767 I was thinking more cold weather stuff. But I offered to bring what he needed. If that meant fast food, I would bring it.
@Matthunter07673 жыл бұрын
@@Kahnza i know what you meant! Im from St cloud but don't have a vehicle at the moment... I only said the drive thru because he was trying to go to McDonald's in this video but they are only open in the drive thru! Have a good night!
@caroljohnson94293 жыл бұрын
Also in willmar. Yes let us know if you need anything.
@shannondaberkow93133 жыл бұрын
I live a block away from railroad. Next time you're here stop by and stay warm for awhile and I'll cook you a meal 🙏💜
@granny41903 жыл бұрын
Your videos are great. I feel like I've learned so much from you, and not just about riding. Stay safe, warm and healthy, Shoestring. Glad you have a place to call home and family.
@mikejones-vd3fg4 ай бұрын
classic Shoestring video RIP
@tjadenmade04702 жыл бұрын
This is where my life begin, Willmar, Minnesota. lived not far from that bridge. Used to hear the trains all the time.
@EricSmith-ve7qi3 жыл бұрын
Awsome video and great footage shoestring! Yea that UP was a 70MAC and the CP in front either was a Dash-9 or a AC4400 and the CP behind was a GP-20...looking good in the winter gear! Overall a great video! Thank you! B safe
@XUrbanNinja3 жыл бұрын
Close. It was an SD70M and an Evo. Evo`s have a pretty good tell from the angle he was at with it having air to air fans just ahead of the radiator and rad fan.
@Scottallen89093 жыл бұрын
You’re living a life that most of us would love but you’re the only one brave enough and smart enough to actually do it !! Greatly Enjoy your videos
@knucklehead74563 жыл бұрын
GREAT VIDEO..I SURE WOULD buy a Hoody with the Shoestring tag on the back if I knew where to get one 😳 hint hint 🤣😂😂🤣😂😂🤣from what I understand all the channels that have Merch dont have to handle ANY of it. The company that makes it does all the shipping and orders and you just get a royalty off everything they sell 🤔 I think I it would be WAYYY COOL with your full size tag on the back and a pic of a Locomotive on the left breast ya know?
@smoochmysnoot99573 жыл бұрын
I’d wear a Shoestring hoodie
@bumprjak3 жыл бұрын
See i told you, good idea.the people have spoken.
@KP-si4rt3 жыл бұрын
Sure I would buy one.
@James-blond0072 жыл бұрын
Does Shoestring have any merch? I’d love a shirt or hoodie!!
@skyartrc82863 жыл бұрын
Glad to see you still going. The phone works great hardley heard the wind, heard you very well, stay warm, stay safe.
@ocsrc3 жыл бұрын
The old Burlington Northern green locomotives were cool Used to see them all the time in Cohoes NY
@jamesakers11753 жыл бұрын
Beautiful hat and warm. Wish you had the long coat to go with it. Then they would think you were the KGB. Lol. Great Update 🚂🚂🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
@TheHoboShoestring3 жыл бұрын
Hell yeah.... lol
@billyjones23693 жыл бұрын
True freedom is no fear
@olafvidar93153 жыл бұрын
I saw that to and thought, absolutely right!
@kens.37293 жыл бұрын
Hello Mark! Thanks for the Update on your Adventures. Be Careful and stay Safe with Virus. 👍
@BruceGordon9253 жыл бұрын
"Line Up" Yard worker who I asked about where the trains were going. He says "HERE" pulls a lineup of which and when trains were coming thru Dillworth. Ya in the 90s.
@1776cootsflybynight3 жыл бұрын
Originally from Nebraska but in kentucky for work. You are making me feel anxious that I won't be able to take an actual winter when I go home shoe string lol
@PatriseHenkel3 жыл бұрын
The sound is really great with the new camera. I hear almost no wind noise! You should be teaching geography- you know more about how this country is put together! I love getting the map to connect the dots. Head for Pennsylvania- our colors are glorious!
@killuminati633 жыл бұрын
That Twistred Tea Half and Half is AMAZING.!!!! Half lemonade half iced tea YUM
@ajjackson15263 жыл бұрын
Those are my parts! I took the train from Wilmer to Sioux Falls about 8 years ago. Goes right thru Camden State park. Lots of beautiful sights and you can really watch the landscape change in such a short trip.
@billglaser3 жыл бұрын
Still sufferin down here in Mesa, AZ. Another 100°+ day, supposed to break soon though into I think the mid 90° range. Still hot but not too bad with a breeze, take care brother safe rails. 👍🏼
@leapyear94603 жыл бұрын
Lookin good champ and the audio was awesome no worries on the wind noise at my end. Thats a real nice winter hat you got too. Thx for making these👍
@CraigPetty5553 жыл бұрын
Shoestring that UP unit is an SD-70 MAC
@cementmason8223 жыл бұрын
Correct!!
@DanMeyer803 жыл бұрын
Its a SD70M not a MAC
@CraigPetty5553 жыл бұрын
Very little difference!! Both banned for failing emissions requirements, only allowed for local use only
@CraigPetty5553 жыл бұрын
@@DanMeyer80 tell me the difference!
@gregjr8123 жыл бұрын
@@CraigPetty555 SD70MAC’s have a slightly larger radiator area while the SD70M’s have a shorter radiator section, but besides that they’re nearly identical.
@dozer16423 жыл бұрын
Man I wish winter would get here in California. I’m tired of these fires.
@clodwolf3 жыл бұрын
One more month for nor cal
@rcbanjanin43143 жыл бұрын
Second that! We bought a house in Paradise in May 2018 to vacation in and eventually retire to. Spent all summer remodeling the kitchen and bathrooms and moving furniture and tools up there. That was a gut punch. Still dealing with insurance. Our neighbors up there wound up in Oregon and lost that one too, so things can always get worse... We were heading up there the morning of the 8th and got a call from our neighbor to wait a day as we might have a little trouble getting into town due to a “little fire” on the south side...
@Charles_Anthony3 жыл бұрын
@@Helpasos: California's aging electrical system that sparks randomly and sets old dead brush on fire is the culprit. Newsom should fix it, but then he won't be able to push his global warming agenda.
@jacknordby14683 жыл бұрын
People who don't believe in global warming (heating) should communicate directly with people who live in other parts of the world. Like Antarctica, Northern Yukon, some South Pacific Islands that are being evacuated, etc. I myself have seen evergreen trees in Canada turned reddish brown by invasive beetles that normally couldn't survive Canadian winters. And then they burn.
@timothygraff87023 жыл бұрын
I am very happy and honored to see the salt still has plenty of seasoning.God bless you💕🙏🌄
@C41NUS3 жыл бұрын
I’m literally 20 minutes from Willmar. Damn just missed yah. Another good video
@akghound3 жыл бұрын
You were north of me. I'm near Helena. You just missed winters start, been the most beautiful fall here in the Northern Rockies. God Bless and Be Well!
@jjano23203 жыл бұрын
Animals and most humans don't like wind.
@harryburke14573 жыл бұрын
God bless both you and Jacob
@mattsmith43593 жыл бұрын
Wow shoe!! The camera quality and filming is awesome! Next level!
@anddyyxx3 жыл бұрын
So many dope names on that dumpster! Pear, Forte, fario, and now the legendary hobo shoestring🤘
@amo69593 жыл бұрын
Nice 24 min video s t a y warm and safe need to hobo down to the warm soon thanks for the view in your journey
@tadcobert13073 жыл бұрын
Another great vid. I enjoy spending my mornings over coffee watching your latest posts...keep on rollin' and stay safe sir!
@davidremy44703 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the update Shoestring, stay warm my friend, safe travels.
@johnscherf12283 жыл бұрын
Twisted Tea good drink! Thanks for sharing another non-boring show!!!👍👍👍👍
@Exilemainstreet3 жыл бұрын
Great to see you posting. I was just talking about you at work today and wondering when you were going to upload.
@markmummery Жыл бұрын
I retired from CP 2 years ago…in calgary ab Canada ! Love your videos ..Stay safe 🤗😊
@dingo58273 жыл бұрын
Sir, You are real gentleman of the railroad 👍
@JawTooth3 жыл бұрын
Wow, I like that pedestrian bridge over the 18 tracks at Willmar! That would be an awesome video all by itself showing a train going under it and showing a walk over it.
@phily-phil3 жыл бұрын
That bridge (we call it the walking bridge) is like 4 blocks from my house.
@hambone9503 жыл бұрын
bnsf has a road way across their yard in KC its their biggest yard nation wide
@vennic3 жыл бұрын
@@phily-phil i miss the tunnel under the tracks by the power plant
@phily-phil3 жыл бұрын
@@vennic I know. Used to speed up my bike so I could shoot right out the other side by the high Rise.
@aliciaevans20123 жыл бұрын
I live here
@bluetoad20013 жыл бұрын
excellent video diary. i really enjoy seeing the tags and camps. thanks Shoe✅😎✌️
@Fearsomehero3 жыл бұрын
Hey! I live near the Willmar rail! Very cool area for photography! Willmar is known for Jennie-0. Let me know if you are ever in the area again!
@keeshahdarkfurr83283 жыл бұрын
I was out on the rails today too. Went to visit the Fostoria Ohio, Iron triangle railpark. that Hobo Strobe highlighted in one of his videos
@tomlewis65333 жыл бұрын
Shoestring I always find it amazing how you just walk around on property and nobody bothers you. Not the engine crewman not the yard office guy in the background. I can't even drink a cup of coffee within 100 feet of looking at trains around Jacksonville Fl without a pickup truck driving up to investigate who I am and what I'm doing. Maybe the secret is to have a phone out and be filming ;) Stay safe continued good luck to you.
@Fearsomehero3 жыл бұрын
Btw, its Kandiyo(hi) as in "hi, how are you?" Not he. ❤
@patrickburgmeier79023 жыл бұрын
The St Cloud line ends a couple miles outside of town. They turned it into a bicycle, ski, snowmobile trail to Cold Spring Mn. They still use the turntable by the roundhouse to turn power units around.
@markk86073 жыл бұрын
Awesome video it made my day. Here in Amboy Ca. It will be 98 degrees. Dang it. I wish it was cold here for a change.
@waynemerryman38973 жыл бұрын
I know you know this but for those that dont, cross ties are extremely flammable from the creosote baked into them for durability. A few slivers with your knife and you can start a fire in wet conditions, however avoid breathing the creosote smoke. ✌ *Happy Rails* #HoboMeistro🎵####₩
@thomasturnquist1183 жыл бұрын
My grandparents used to live in sight of that pedestrian bridge. My grandpa and I would walk across the bridge and look at the engines. We would find stuff like sleeping bags and lighters under the bridge. I even have a rail road spike sitting next me right now, that we picked up some 8 years ago. I was even at that Mcdonald's two weeks ago!
@truckerman14273 жыл бұрын
Shoestring we would have hired you in a minute , your sharp. Conrail steel gang Elkhart In , Retired!!
@metalfusion672 жыл бұрын
these sheds are now fenced off and no trespass signs posted all over..too many people blowing it up.. Ride safe Shoestring
@diamondback22953 жыл бұрын
Great video. Love the new phone.
@cadebecker24862 жыл бұрын
From MN amazing videos!
@billsmith82383 жыл бұрын
I enjoy watching your adventures winter is coming fast soon the snow fly's
@tigermanmccool40373 жыл бұрын
this Ol' Florida boy would be shivering to death up there....keep safe brother
@russellnindynine59053 жыл бұрын
tigerman mccool he avoids Florida like the plague
@zodiacnation97473 жыл бұрын
Good to see you again shoestring. Had not seen you post in a few days and was wondering about ya. Glad to see your ok. God Bless.
@TakeDeadAim3 жыл бұрын
FWIW...rain which evaporates prior to hitting the ground is called "Virga". At least that's what we called it out west.
@Josesandersjourneys3 жыл бұрын
Panama Coushatta said hi good job and be safe
@32fatts3 жыл бұрын
Love the videos shoestring. Keep them coming!
@Kelsthompson893 жыл бұрын
I live in Willmar. Born and raised. Loved the video!!
@minimum_maintenance3 жыл бұрын
Spent a couple cold nights at that Havre campout, nice to see I still got a tag there. Safe travels.
@ocsrc3 жыл бұрын
CP is cool. I like the all blue locomotives, I think those are MT Link. I really miss D&H and B&M
@paconrail12383 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the update!
@jacknordby14683 жыл бұрын
Just found this. This video is as good as many of those documentaries on public TV. I hope you find a good warm place to hang out. They're saying it's going to be a cold La Niña this time. Stay safe!
@MrVosh-nj2lc3 жыл бұрын
Your narration of the cold and windy raw weather there in Willmar made me put on a sweater while watching this in my 75 degree living room... Brr!
@tylerjudd19533 жыл бұрын
Just found your channel and thought "oh, I wonder if he's ever been in havre".... and here we are
@phily-phil3 жыл бұрын
10:48 crazy seeing the walking bridge on a youtube video. I'm just a few blocks away from that very location. Been watching trains from it since a was a child. Very interesting breakdown which about the lines and where they go. Lived here my whole life and never knew this much about those lines. My grandpa retired from that very yard in '87 and told me a bit about it, but not in this kind of 1st hand detail. Thank you for that.
@SnowDog0803 жыл бұрын
Glad your having fun. Stay safe
@mncmcnc53 жыл бұрын
#4519 is an SD70-M. The Loco type is usually located on the cab side somewhere.
@swillm3ister3 жыл бұрын
Yeah you can see it in the video actually.
@MoparDan2 жыл бұрын
Shoestring, the Union Pacific locomotive 4519 is a SD70M. It was new in December of 2001.
@Ml-hq9vk3 жыл бұрын
Your phone works good,cant hear wind,on bridge ect....safe travels....
@VidsAndKides3 жыл бұрын
God bless safe trips
@williamjericho75003 жыл бұрын
I live about an hour north of Willmar I've walked on the same tracks that he's riding on, pretty amazing
@aaronryherd66073 жыл бұрын
UP unit is a SD70M. Model Type is below and to the right of the number on the cab. That will tell you the designation of the unit.
@eezyclsmooth90353 жыл бұрын
You make riding the rails seem like a lot of "excitement and adventure" ! Being in North Dakota on a windy, cold, drizzly and dreary day seems like a long way from fun ! As you can see from the comments, Everyone is always concerned about your safety. It's always sad when the video ends.
@SaltyNationalist3 жыл бұрын
That audio and video work.... Mark, your a natural... Sounds great even in the wind...
@zerofox73473 жыл бұрын
Awesome length video my friend, keep on keeping on shoestring!
@garyquelch8883 жыл бұрын
Shoe, I sure would buy one of those cards with your tag on it I seen em in one of your videos there made of cardboard completely original,Ive gotta have one bruv!
@myfavoritemartian1 Жыл бұрын
Yes, it is a SD 70 M. (under the engine number and slightly to the rear. Above the access door by the cab corner.
@nickmad8876 ай бұрын
Be Safe brother.
@tammymullins52402 жыл бұрын
Very Education
@prairiepatriotpreacher97383 жыл бұрын
Hey Shoestring, You were in my area [ Minot ] again. Be glad you got out when you did. It got down into the teens last night Fri. Oct.16, with windchill in single digits. Today Sat. Oct.17, it only got up to 26° with a windchill in the mid teens. I hope we can meet up some time. Stay Safe. BTW I have a hat just like that. Up north, here you have to have them, if you don't want to freeze your head, face, & ears. You will really like it.💂♂️
@judyjohnson92573 жыл бұрын
We did find your tag under the bridge in willmar this summer.
@markfrye91783 жыл бұрын
I saw that yard recently. It surprised me how massive it is.
@macofalltrades63963 жыл бұрын
Just stay safe, make it back, and start planning the next hop. PBWU
@jamador2573 жыл бұрын
I live in Willmar. Train tracks use to be behind the old crib
@tommybritton92733 жыл бұрын
Stay safe shoestring, those cinnamon sticks looked delicious 👍👍
@toddr.46303 жыл бұрын
Hope you're doing good shoestring, great video ✌️
@talonmorsette83593 жыл бұрын
Awesome!!! I'm from Havre montana, will follow you
@zakerydartt85313 жыл бұрын
Yeah, its starting to turn cool weather old pal. Winter be here soon. Z Dartt
@tinkerbruzer Жыл бұрын
Dang Shoestring I'm two years late but the next time you come around I'd like to have coffee with you & I'm buying TB:
@MuttTheBuckeyeSlayer197722 күн бұрын
Just seen dude on train from California to Florida. Was 12 hours on train thru cold conditions
@RTOutdoors3 жыл бұрын
Last time I was in Minot was during September probably 15 years ago. I still remember it got down to around 25 degrees that night. Minot is a cold and windy place.
@Jekyll_Island_Creatures3 жыл бұрын
That's North Dakota for ya!
@wolterfd3 жыл бұрын
Occasionally it will get into the 40s below zero with wind. Touch any metal, it will suck the heat right out through your mittens and make your fingers numb. Better be wearing long undies, insulated bibs, a big old parka and a balaclava over your face, too. In those temps, you can barely inhale w/o coughing.
@ciaranmcmanus38403 жыл бұрын
Another interesting Video Sir your Knowledge is incredible have you been pursuing this Lifestyle many years , knowledge of Locomotives, types of freight hauled directions of the routes by different rail freight Companies If you ever get to billings Montana some big Coal hauling Trains up there
@smokeandmirrors61673 жыл бұрын
I dream of doing this all the time, you are living my dream!
@uttaradit23 жыл бұрын
good role model for someone tired of trying to fit in
@thewestpointrouteguy86113 жыл бұрын
Excellent ! Keep 'em com'in !
@kb9liq3 жыл бұрын
Willmar was the longest trip I took going west when I drove trucks out of central IL. Sucked because it was a Saturday delivery so I was gone most of the weekend when I wanted to be home
@kotaellis83893 жыл бұрын
I live in webster SD between aberdeen and Watertown, the rail to aberdeen is 1 block from my house . I will keep my eye out for you next time I'm waiting at the tracks.