Father's day rails and tales

[@dizzizzfred7.835]

Watched all of Shoestrings videos at least 3x .. just remembering his life and stories..I will always cherish the memories..RIP..

[@john6218att]

cant believe he's gone, he brought a whole different world to us

[@cleekmaker00]

The Stories and the Information. The simplicity of his Gear and his Camping methods. RIP Shoestring. 🚂😔😪

[@jonwatt678]

If I haven't seen them all I will.. and I'm on a quest to watch them all again.. RIP Mark...

[@JeanieMills-l1e]

Thank you to Mark family for keeping his videos up prayers for Mark family we sure miss him many people loved Mark & cared about him rest in peace shoe string / Mark rest easy 🙏💙🙏

[@bluemoon-pm5hv]

I know your riding that Glory Train now Shoestring, no pain,no more critters or Bulls to deal with. Just ride Shoe ride🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂

[@wilson561]

I've never heard someone wish happy father's day to a mom who is raising kids without the help of a man. You are a class act Mark. Best wishes with your health.

[@Guiltless765]

GTFO!! That's what mother's day is for!They lay down with a bum and procreate then want all this praise.9 times out of ten the state ends up supporting them for the most part through welfare.Just unbelievable the state of society now.Men have so little testosterone!

[@amandacicoria4619]

My daughter has wished me several happy Father’s Day.

[@michaelscott5658]

i will miss all beautiful countryside rides shoestring brought to us rip brother no more tears God bless you

[@kpex7509]

Thank you for your service to our country. You’re one of the most men I’ve listened to,and watched videos ..that have a positive attitude on life no matter what situation you’re in. I love your videos Brother .😊

[@kennyburt6543]

I will miss you and your videos....... a man with so much knowledge!

[@neco4114]

My Father God, Our Lord almighty, Many of us come to you in prayer here in Denver, and some in Boone, NC,, and Whites Ferry church in West Monroe, La as many to join in as well. Over a hundred people, and at same time tonight in all three places hundreds of miles apart we will come together in pray to you My Lord, asking for your hear tonight. These people are fans but shoestring lives in there heart bc his rare breed humbleness got them. We are asking that you put your Healing hands right down on our friend Mark Nichols. Such hard work he put in to be a better man, and healthier one. He gave up the poisons, and pushed away the devil. We ask that you be with his doctor, in the labs , and in the operating room when time. Please help his body lord, we cry out that you please take the sickness away, give him your almighty mercy and grace. We know you can do things drs can't, that's what hundreds of good people are praying for out of three states. Please Give this rare free bird more good times, and many more years of teaching us trains too finding ones harmony. We just pray now that all goes well. That you have mercy for a man that is trying to teach a big selfish world how to be real, honest, and humble one train at a time. Thank you God...... ....prayers continue.... My Father God in heaven, we pray in Jesus name. AMEN.

[@lorettashepherd.]

beautiful prayer. Amen

[@myrealfakename6068]

Amen 🙏

[@dlagrua]

Prayers your way for the best outcome. In Christ thou shall be saved.

[@marshabrown8337]

Pirates Life is what was on the train car. God bless you. Happy fathers day.

[@asullivan4047]

Does he have any off spring-???🤔.

[@colinmyster7750]

@@asullivan4047he had a kid but he died 😢

[@bonniegettingthrumyday2866]

He spawned a revival of interest in America’s railroads & a flurry of Amtrak travel, foregoing airlines, us included. Wouldn’t have had the courage without him. Ride on, Shoestring Mark, and God bless

[@googleuser3760]

Were behind you 100% Shoestring.

[@haganegenkotsu]

Hey Shoestring, we're all rooting for you! Keep it positive, and hope all goes well at Vanderbilt!

[@chadharris1476]

The salt of the earth. People like you give life flavor champ! Bless up

[@musclecarmitch908]

Great to hear you got scheduled at Vanderbilt! I can't wait until you can get the surgery behind you and get fully recovered! My wife had her surgery at Vanderbilt, it's a good place, that's were everyone in my area goes, it's closer than Louisville here in southern Kentucky where I'm at. Great video and were all still praying for you to get this behind you and make a full recovery!🙏

[@littlelittledeer1435]

What a great video! Trains, trees, rain, a walk & a serenade. Thanks Shoestring. God bless you. Praying for you & your medical team.

[@thomream1888]

Hey Mark, glad to hear you're hanging in there! I can tell you that fighting "The System" is just as hard as fighting cancer. When I first got diagnosed my Doctor told me I had FIVE months to live - IF I was lucky. Well, thank God I’m not very lucky, cuz that was in 2006! I told my wife "With your help, we can beat this thing"... then I found out what a pile of jackasses the insurance companies and govt. rules could be. Cancer's a bitch, no doubt. But when insurance companies start with their special kind of smelly stuff, well, it's no wonder people die of cancer all the time - they give up fighting the BS. So Mark, keep doing what you’ve been doing (and what I’ve been doing for almost 16 tears!) - LIVE!!!! It's the only way I know to really piss 'em off! LIVE! Fight the Insurance Companies and LIVE! I’m alive, I want to live. I want my life; I WANT to fight back and live. I want to LIVE!!! I want to fight so that I can live! Maybe I’ll live long enough to see an end to cancer. Come on brother, let's go kick some cancer butt! Everybody else with cancer, come on! We have a fight, and together we can KICK SOME CANCER ASS!!!!!!!! Let's spread the word that this beast IS beatable! My life is worth fighting for, and yours is too!

[@dalebechtel8904]

That’s absolutely atrocious what the insurance companies did to you. My son finished his cancer treatment and luckily we and he didn’t have any trouble with the insurance end because his pediatric team was fighting for him. Glad to hear your doing well.

[@jimlohse]

@@dalebechtel8904 @Thom Ream doesn't Hobo Shoestring have Medicaid? Is that an insurance company?

[@steveib724]

@@jimlohse yes idn why the red tape crazy times we be in dam

[@storminmormon8195]

@@steveib724 well that is cause insurance is a scam that should be illegalized but of course it wont

[@steveib724]

@@storminmormon8195 me thinking it's the area he's living and he's Dr's if I were shoe I'd be looking for new Dr's maybe. Must be nice but stand for no bs it happens more lately he'll get it taken care of ✌️

[@jparker912]

Nice Karl Childers impression!, We're all out here pulling for you, Shoestring. Thanks for the video and spending time with us.

[@agentsmith1573]

I reckon I ain't got no reason to kill nobody. Mmmmm hmmmm..

[@bigmonmagoomba9634]

Shoestring you’re a complicated dude. On one hand you’ve dedicated your life to existing on the very fringe of society yet you have an insatiable desire to share your incredible reservoir of knowledge with them. At any rate I’m glad you do.

[@ChuckisOutside]

Good to see you Mark. Continuing to pray for you and your medical team.

[@r.duwayneladner7183]

Hang in there Marc, God is with you, man you have a lot of folks lifting you up to God’s throne. In his time, is not always comfortable for us. Believe me my similar surgery and treatment afterwards (2019) had a lot to do with attitude and end results was the positive results. God Bless my friend and we will continue to pray, pray, and pray some more.

[@Jumpingoffthecliff]

Fingers crossed for a positive, painless and quick medical resolution! Thanks for the video.

[@renegadebt1374]

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

[@Dan-yw9sg]

Sending prayers for your safe journey to Nashville and a quick revolution to any issues. Hopefully they will get it right. Happy Father’s Day to you! God bless!

[@shabbymaverick7975]

Was fishing on Friday with my son & friend. Caught crappies & Sunnie's, was thinkin about your place on the lake/river? Sure glad to hear your scheduled for your surgery. Always in my prayers & thoughts Shoe. God's timing is perfect- even if we can't see it at the time. Thanks for making this video❤️🥰❤️🙏❤️🙏

[@lorettashepherd.]

Hello Shoestring! Happy Father's day to you. Thanks for acknowledging the mother's that have to go it alone and be both mother and father to their kids.And also thanks to the dad's that have to do the same. Those of us who truly love you and respect you are going to be here for you through thick and thin. We all are continuing to pray for you. Thanks for the walk in the train yard with you and all the great conversation. It sure was a beautiful day. Wishing you all the best on Wednesday at Vanderbilt. Love ya brother 🙂

[@pearlguy6351]

Your overwhelming knowledge about the railroad is incredibly amazing UP needs to hire you immediately to be a conductor or engineer and give you an incredible retirement package

[@denismeans2910]

You sound great and in the right frame of mind. That's the first step to recovery. You've got a huge loyal fan base, so we are all rooting for you. We all pray for your speedy return back to your Hobo Adventures you so graciously share.

[@Hyrev1]

Praying for all the best for you Shoestring. Good to see you!

[@dancer1]

Yes needed this!

[@alkennedy1124]

Southern rail fanning has been giving us your up dates about you , he has been speaking good things of you, I’m a dad , this is what the southern rail fan told us last week , you two must be in contact with each other , he said he knew about going through cancerous stuff Praise Jesus Christ grace amen 🙏 we are keeping you in prayer mark the shoestring hobo , stay in prayer, So Question 🙋‍♂️ if they can’t find anything what are you going for test to find out what ???? Thanks I say if it’s not broken don’t mess with it , right thanks BigAl California praise Jesus Christ grace amen 🙏

[@BobbyFocus2008]

I'm here because your an amazing guy Shoestring, hang in there I'm praying for you.

[@tonyowens7887]

It's great to here from you shoestring

[@tonyowens7887]

I live in Westminster sc right by the tracks would love for to stop by when the train stops right in front of house one day and meet you and talk we could have a coke or Pepsi or your favorite drink

[@c_cloudxd9107]

Yesss I've been waiting for a new shoestring video. Went camping and trout fishing a few days ago and had to download some of your videos to watch at night. Hope you'll be feeling better after your surgery!!

[@charlesdixon9554]

We love you Shoe String

[@guttasnipe4702]

Good to see you Shoestring, hang in there Buddy and keep your chin up, everything will be Ok and just remember be Positive and you will be back riding the railways sooner than you think. Cheers from Australia……

[@iankr]

Great to hear from you, Shoestring. Hope it all goes well at the hospital. Greetings from a fan in London, UK.

[@mattposko1869]

Praying for you, God Bless.

[@billyjolly3315]

It's a blessing to see ya up and out today, can't wait to see you back out on the rail . Love you brother

[@kevinmoffatt2457]

Oh my God ! What a small world! When you mentioned your brother, niece and nephews, I almost fell out of my chair. I was part of his wife’s family ( in-law, now an outlaw) until a 2000 tragedy caused a separation of our paths. We love your channel. Praying for success in surgery and a quick recovery. Safe travels!

[@danthewildbirdman]

I hope you are feeling better. I enjoy your videos because you are observant of things most people wouldn't think of. Thanks for sharing with us your adventures. Take care and get well.

[@michaelmcbride2964]

Shoestring. I just found your videos a couple weeks ago and got a little jealous of the freedom you have found riding the rails. I want you to know I will be praying for you also. I turned over my life to CHRIST years ago and truly believe in the power of prayer you are going to be OK. I'm a Vietnam Veteran (old fart) and was wounded with just 9 days left on my second tour. I was walking point on a night ambush when a little guy got the drop on me and shot me from about 10 feet away hitting me in the left hand and chest and knocking me on my back. I know GOD is real because just for the few seconds I lay there a Beautiful Jade green human shaped form appeared and said " Do something or you will die" and gave me a vision of a enemy soldier standing over me and shooting me in the face and chest. I never seen a face to this beautiful form but after reading the Bible I truly believe it was GOD because no man can see his face. I fought back and lived. Shoestring when I seen your left hand I thought I was looking in a mirror. I lost exactly the same thing you did!!!! If I can figure out on this phone to send you a photo I will. I don't know how you got hurt I was shot. I only have one regret losing half of my left hand and 2 fingers, I used to be able to count to 10 now I can only count to 8 . Will be thinking and looking for you every time I cross the tracks take care and GOD BLESS. Mac McBride

[@gaylefeinberg1237]

When I go through these surguries and I've been through several,I think about healing myself from within.The mind is a powerful tool in recovery.Use that power.Think positive thoughts about the places you've been and the places you will go and the people you will meet and help.Just remember you can heal with your mind.Just let it work for you as I have done and I'm 78 years old..Use that power,unleash that fierce will to live in all of us and you will heal.I've been there. Old Msgt/Norm

[@kennethbecker8555]

Thoughts and prayers are with you Mr. Shoestring. Be well.

[@AlanMullen-w1f]

I am going to miss storytime 4 -

[@shawn00508]

Happy Father’s Day and good night bye and thank you

[@cleekmaker00]

Good Luck this Wednesday! We're all behind you 💯%. Our thoughts and prayers are too! 👍🙂

[@andymacone]

Here’s hoping all goes well for you buddy 🙏👊👊👊👍

[@aliceevans3357]

Good to see you again. You've been in my prayers. Praying all goes well with surgery, please keep us posted. Stay safe and GOD bless

[@Brandonishome2024]

Happy father's day shoestring 🙏💯🌹

[@ProudPapaw88]

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, Shoestring. Great video thanks for sharing!

[@brandonlee9238]

God Bless you, Happy Father’s Day, prayers on the surgery ! ✝️

[@ninjawarrior636]

good to see you brother shoestring happy to see you got into Vanderbilt hopefully all goes well brother you still in my prayers Happy Father's Day to yur dad much love bro good to see yu again miss yu bro love yu shoestring

[@netrioter]

U-Line is a supplier of foam planking,bubble wrap, foam insulation and many other things office/industrial related

[@thomasgautney5586]

Hey hobo shoestring! Thanks so much for the update, man I know how you feel about the medical establishment these days. You are always in our prayers my friend. Stay safe and good luck with Vanderbilt, It'll work out with your troubles. Prayers good friend.

[@danb8489]

Best wishes and good luck, with everything 👍👍☕

[@Derrick6162]

I find your rail tales fascinating. I'm glad I found your channel. God bless. Thanks

[@jeffky6153]

Glad to hear they got you in at Vanderbilt. CSX has donated a lot of the rail and ties out of Erwin to KY Steam Heritage in Ravenna KY for use in the line and yard they are creating. Keep on keeping on Shoestring!!

[@Dr_Joe]

Paul Harvey! Only you, Shoe, would think to remember him. Thanks for a great video. Always comforting to hear your voice.

[@neco4114]

Hobo Shoestring, "The Rail King". Happy Father's Day pal. I relate to you so much bro, the motion, rhythm, cadence calms you. You notice patterns. You are highly intelligent bro, and well versed in things that interests you. Thats my life. I'm from Boone, NC. I live in Denver now, and I want to hop the Denver to Grand Junction ride. I hitchhiked for years. Seen this country in it's rawest, craziest, and most beautiful form. Get back to what you love- if you can't ride them, go watch them. Shoestring, "The Rail King"

[@daleweathers3552]

prayers for good results on your surgery --enjoyed several days of wearing my hobo shirt and telling of your travels and wonderful life ----get well soon !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@PhalanxR]

I wish you the best brother

[@stevansikes8477]

Good to hear from you, get well and take care.👍

[@richardorourke4571]

Good luck with the Docter hope things work out for u. Your in my prayers

[@tacopacker75]

Happy Father’s Day shoestring glad you are getting in for your surgery and I hope everything goes well and you will be back out riding the rails soon god’s speed to you

[@richardwestphal5231]

Prayers for you SHOESTRING AND THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE GOD BE WITH YOU 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@debralavorata546]

Thank God things finally worked out for this much needed surgery,and in a good place to have it Dear shoestring,you are always in my prayers,and all ur following on u tube also.We love and are concerned about you,and want you to heal,be well,so u can enjoy all ur pastimes, especially riding the rails!! God bless you,and as always god speed!

[@freddypflugbeil6]

I remember that weird looking rock you were sitting next to under the deck at the lake. glad to see you out there checking out the rail yard

[@neco4114]

You are in my prayers. Thank you so much for your videos. I relate to you so very much. Happy Father's Day Shoestring. The Rail 👑 King! We are all praying for you!

[@bobertbobert6442]

God Bless you friend!

[@carlsonb20]

God bless !

[@mechanicmama]

Happy Father's Day to you!! Prayers for you always. I will be glad when they are done with your medical just so you feel better mentally. Doctors now days are all about that dollar!! Blessings ❤

[@mambo3509]

Thank you as well shoestring👍👍hope you get to riding again soon

[@genocidevirus8986]

I just wanna say that I discovered you not too long ago. I don’t ever hit the ‘bell’ button on channels but I did on yours. I love your videos. And you’re right. My dad ran out when I was a baby so sometimes Father’s Day go to all the mothers.

[@TheHoboShoestring]

Thanks and welcome aboard

[@listen3times216]

Yay! Happy Father’s Day ShoeString !

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Hope you had a great father's day as well buddy. Hope you're feeling better. ♥️

[@brianh5609]

Hey Shoestring. I just got hired as a conductor trainee. Alot in part to you and your videos. in training class, I even mentioned you and got quite a reaction. Alot of questions that were asked I was able to answer just from watching your videos. Maybe someday we run into each other if youre ever in the Southwest.

[@backyardtoyadventures2419]

Brian how did you get hired? My son is trying to get in as a conductor?

[@thedevilsadvodkate]

I think his objective is to avoid coming into contact with you lol jk

[@enzedpcs2]

Wish you all the best.

[@clintonandrews1538]

For what it's worth, I travelled from Detroit to Nashville a bunch of times just to have my hip replacements done by one of the best Orthopedic surgeons in the world. Fourth of July, Two hips, minimally invasive, six weeks apart and by September 9th I was back at work. Vanderbilt was intended to be the Harvard of the South. It's hospital certainly lives up to that billing. Best wishes; stay optimistic; it really does make a difference in terms of recovery. You are in our thoughts and prayers!

[@clapoutloudclapoutloud]

You take care and I as others want to wish you the best in your journey to get this surgery done, you take care pal. and all the best to you.

[@danielpaige6503]

Great video !! LOVE IT!!!! Happy Father Day.......

[@timgentry7777]

God bless you, Shoestring…speedy recovery

[@skahooch21]

Well, I’ve only been watching your videos for a few weeks, love them! If you ever get stuck around Springfield, Missouri, I’ll be glad to give you a ride, place to stay, or just a meal. I’m not worried about being on camera, just would love to meet you. Keep on ridin!

[@davidpontnak3819]

Thanks for the Father's Day wishes enjoyed the video keeping you in our prayers

[@neco4114]

I keep you in my prayers always Rail King!

[@stephenjeys631]

happy Father's day hobo shoe string

[@gernaneering]

You make my day bro, i could listen to your beautiful voice all day long, you have so many interesting storiesand adventures , man you are the best of the best railroad hobos but a lovely guy too. i really wish a fast and successful operation for your various internal medical problems , i love bro take care keep your stories coming , all the best and take care.

[@lighten_up]

I hope that he is recovering well and vows to take care of himself, even if that means leaving this life behind. He has a catalog of memories to relive, but only one life to live.

[@jeffreygosselin7576]

When was his surgery? I can’t find the date in the videos.

[@DonVideoGuy007]

@@jeffreygosselin7576 - I saw this video post on Saturday June 25... I did not see it the day before so I believe he posted it on July 25. At the 01:37 time code mark, he starts to speak about his planned surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, talks about taking a Greyhound bus on Tuesday (June 28) from the small city where he lives in Tennessee, in order to arrive for his 1:30pm check-in on Wednesday (June 29) , ostensibly at the highly-regarded nationally recognized Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. Mark makes no mention of "a date for surgery" because that was probably TBD upon him checking in there and having a final evaluation by the GI surgical team. Furthermore, at the 17:23 time code mark he resumes speaking about "his plan" for his trip to VUMC (Vanderbilt University Medical Center) and mentions the possibility of returning to Johnson City from VUMC after his 1:30pm appointment on June 29, or if he is there all afternoon, he will check into a motel in Nashville and return home on Thursday (June 29). A couple of his fellow fans here keep posting "... was his June 26 surgery...?" - ya'll heard wrong because Mark NEVER mentioned he was having surgery on ANY DATE in this video. That said, I have a gut feeling that when they did a blood draw when he arrived at the medical center on June 29, the attending surgeon probably realized that Mark needed to have surgery immediately, and hospitalized him to prepare for surgery and/or medical treatment post-surgery. He probably had the surgery already and is fine... keep in mind that most; if not all large medical centers, block standard; both Windows OS and MAC OS internet service, in their Triage, ER, Procedure, Surgical and ICU theatres because of the interference that may occur to their varied electronic instruments, monitors and medical-use machines, from mobile internet device use. I spent 3 days hospitalized in a large medical center and was told that they had internet routers but had them "turned off". These large hospital/medical centers use the LINUX OS so these medical institutions can block standard internet service. If Mark became hospitalized there, and did not purchase a portable WiFi "HotSpot" Router and sneak it in before he showed up at VUMC, then he most assuredly does not have the ability to use the internet to post anything if he is still in a hospital room.

[@trumpingtonfanhurst694]

You'll be fine, if they ever get around to it you'll be great and be riding again. Cheers!

[@b3njaminP]

Love the sling blade reference.

[@phaedrus2633]

Hi Shoestring. I just came across your videos for the first time today. Whadda life! My Dad lived close to the railroad track in Cairo, Illinois. He stayed with his Grandma and Grandpa. Since his Grandma had such a gentle heart, she always had something for the hoboes to eat when they came knocking. My Dad said that he'd be scared to death coming home and seeing some of them at his house. He told me that his Grandpa would walk around the neighborhood looking for hobo sign, and tray to deface as many as they found, but it never did much good.

[@msladykathryn313]

Really enjoyed this video. Thanks Hobo….. Prayers are with you Hobo 🤗

[@garykuipers2696]

I received your tee shirt with the likeness of you placed on the back. Wore it out to breakfast yesterday. Nice quality. Glad to see that you are in positive spirits, that will go a long way to recovery. Your health comes first so the roundhouse gang will keep praying for you. We're a group of retired railroaders and enjoy your videos. Take care and God bless!

[@kevinjohnson5214]

Hope everything works out for you, and get it done the waiting is the worst part and the frustration. Keep us posted, your in pretty good shape all things considered. Get this thing whipped, lota people rooting for you..

[@JeffRyman69]

Glad to hear you are scheduled at Vanderbilt. Best wishes for a complete recovery.

[@Rolf-farmedfacts-supervisor]

I just stumbled over your channel, and Im soo glad I did!! Im a Norwegian, and what you do sadly isnt possible here due to closed car. and very short distances. We are a very underdeveloped train-country.. I will include you in my dark,norse prayers🇳🇴🤗 You strike me as a very life experienced! Please continue sharing your videos! Greetings from Norway!

[@stackingdimes6939]

We’re not going anywhere/just get better and will all go on adventures again. You got this brother stay positive.

[@joycegriesing9807]

Just want to wish you Shoestring a very Happy Birthday today, July 12, 2022. Also many prayers to you on your upcoming surgery.

[@jeffreygosselin7576]

Thanks for sharing your adventure today with all of us. Greetings and a quick recovery with your upcoming surgery.

[@paconrail1238]

Good luck with your appointment! Looking forward to you getting well and riding again!

[@ColesChampion]

Praying for you