Tennessee CSX how to squeeze into a grainer hole

[@stevesky7043]

Just discovered this gentleman...R.I.P. Shoestring! A man of great knowledge.

[@renegadebt1374]

Godspeed Mr. Nichols, We would like to Thank You for all you gave, and all you have given.. R.I.P. Shoestring, You will be greatly missed.. ✌

[@cdeiker]

Man, I'm so glad I found this channel. It hasn't been very long, and I'm not sure why the algorithm suggested it to me, but I'm glad it did. Since I started out with your most recent videos, I've had questions, and it's interesting as I go back how they get answered and just getting to know your story and what you're about. Your videos have meant a great deal to me lately, and you seem like a genuinely good dude. That's what I love about your channel, there's not angle or gimmick, you're just a guy sharing your trips and life and maybe some education about trains/train life. Don't wanna sound like too much of a weirdo but thanks for doing your thing and sharing it with us

[@boblamb8421]

There is something about trains that get my interest. Riding along with you is very relaxing. My grandpa that lived in Ontario Canada was a railroad brakeman throughout the depression and further on. He fell off a box car and shattered his ankle later in his career. It was rebuilt at the time but the injury ended his railroad brakeman career. He built his home in 1917 a short distance from nearby railroad tracks. He eventually retired from the railroad. Every time I'd stay over he would take me down to the rail yard. He would take me to see the engines. We'd climb up on them and go inside. I loved it. Sorry about all the hurdles you have had to overcome but thanks for taking me along for the ride.

[@zgoat4127]

I hear you tell your story of being an Alcoholic and I can relate with you on so many levels my friend. I spent my whole early adulthood swimming to the bottom of a bottle and I completely understand what it takes to rid that of your life. Hats off to you my friend I imagine if you were stilll drinking you would have never had the chance to make these videos and show the world your life. I appreciate everything you do buddy you bring a smile to many peoples lives keep up that good work my Friend

[@octoberdawn1087]

Im sorry im just now finding you're channel. I know you are in the other place now. It has to be Heaven. Ive been sick. Im scared. Your channel helps me forget. I love when you tell us which line and which direction. I love how you show so many places I will not venture to. I dont have to. You did it already. I love learning close up. I stay back when I film. I loved learning about the fan phone charger. That was wild. I don't know what happened, but i'm sorry it did. You should have been sitting in a box car watching the sunset. That's how I want to remember you even though i'm new. You have such a huge impact on people still. I walked the tracks for years and years. Never brave enough to hop a train. Never patient enough to learn patterns. Im currently obsessed with counting CSX engines. I write down every number. So far I havent found one yet that has crossed both of our paths. But I will! And Ill be so jazzed! I have found some with some channels that just show straight up trains going by. You remind me so much of my friend Charlie. But totally different. 😆 obviously. I think he would have liked your channel. His thing was flying. I swear it was like he hopped planes in a way, also cool but a different cool.. he liked doing fill-in drumming sessions so he could fly in private planes. 😂😂😂 "Did you meet famous people?" "Oh, sure," *shrugs* "and I got ta' fly! This one plane was little, and it shook ya all up..." 😂 He was funny. One time he randomly blurted out, "Good Ol George Washingmachine!" and i was like, "Damn it! Im driving!!" because I had to pull over. I was laughing so hard. Another time he said "I see your tires are balding... may I suggest a comb-over?" 😂😂😂 And he said it so calmly. Anyway, you remind me of him. Thanks for keeping me company. Thanks for keeping us all company. Look at what you did here with this channel. Its so cool!! I am so glad it was suggested to me this week. Divine timing for sure. I also quit drinking. 10 years ago. I also dont know how im alive. I don't know what's going on with me currently and I don't know what to do. But trains are bringing me joy. Truly.

[@paramaniacwolverine843]

I only discovered Hobo Shoestring on Christmas day 2022. Going through my own battle with depression and other issues I just love the simple, yet interesting content He posted. Glad we will have his content for some years to come.

[@granny4190]

I watched this one twice and here I sit by myself. When you said holy chandelier I truly LOL'd. I've got to remember that one, Shoestring. Thanks for the laughs!

[@TheHoboShoestring]

I grew up around kids and had to learn how to get around curse words.... lol

[@granny4190]

@@TheHoboShoestring That's when I plan to use it!! Hope you aren't hurting too badly. Still waiting to get my 1st one. Mass. doesn't have enough to go around. Take care!

[@lory2622]

Just for ya know, I am one of the folks that likes hearing about Shoestring. Trains are cool but just make a good backdrop for his story. This man tells a story that the world needs to hear. It won’t listen but I sure appreciate his efforts.

[@karkitty202]

I totally agree man. I like the trains, I wanna hop soon, but I watch shoestring for shoestring. He’s a wise older-than-me man who really knows the rails and I wanna hear what he has to say.

[@thejasonbourne]

I watch these videos and forget all about my problems.

[@daves7079]

Ohhhhh, sureeee

[@thejasonbourne]

@@daves7079 Damn, wanker.

[@jsldj]

My problems aren't shyt compared to this guy!

[@TheHoboShoestring]

Actually I walk right into this on purpose because it teaches me patience and strengthens me..... The only thing I consider a hardship is if someone were to hurt Ken or Brandon

[@daves7079]

@@TheHoboShoestring Hobo, you're probably living a more interesting life than I am. I just lurk around the house eating cookies and watching TV lol

[@WhiteTrashMotorsports]

So happy for you that you were able to beat alcohol addiction and enjoy life while sharing your travels

[@Number-oo8xq]

The person who made that hoodie for Shoestring did a great job.

[@Solitaryman70]

I’d love to have one of those, maybe 3 or 4 of them.

[@Number-oo8xq]

@@Solitaryman70 it is a great hoodie. Shoestring should get some merch going.

[@Ron4885]

@@Number-oo8xq Agree

[@hhawg1]

He can grow into it.

[@tihspidtherekciltilc5469]

@@hhawg1 The great thing about it being loose is movement and layering clothes underneath.

[@raymondcaylor6292]

I'm glad those days are over for you too Brother. Most of us heavy drinkers don't make it back. For me it was December 28, 1999 and a lot of family support that I didn't deserve. Best Wishes

[@justinhardin7318]

Day 587.......

[@raymondcaylor6292]

@@justinhardin7318 that's GREAT !

[@karkitty202]

@@justinhardin7318 how many days is now brother?

[@justinhardin7318]

@@karkitty202 on the 24th I get my two year coin

[@Jesse-ri5ud]

congrats to you all for your efforts to stay sober! i hope you've been able to maintain your sobriety and that you're in good health today 💞

[@bodacioushoundbo]

So thankful this channel is still on.

[@2flyabove]

Shoestring, you certainly get a lot of exercise and fresh air! I enjoy hearing your stories and watching your travels. I wish you well. Thanks for your videos.

[@jasonlieu5379]

Shoestring I'm a truck driver I watch your videos all day long actually listen to them and take a peek at them while I'm driving makes my day go by so much better when I'm waiting at long lines at the landfills when I can watch your videos thanks for the posts 👍

[@lawrencejohnston4111]

You are a walking encyclopedia , love the explanations and the stories!

[@AudioAdvisory38]

Thank you for your story. My sympathy to the pain. I was stopped by a deer last October; took me off my bike. I didn't experience much physical pain, but man, that bar in my leg now. It is never the same. Stay safe; stay well. Woodwinds for life.

[@adksherm]

"Im just glad I can still get up and get on the railroad cars. Oh god...if I didn't have no arms or legs or anything, I swear to God i could figure out some way to get up onto the train. To ride. And then they could change my name to Stubby. Laying up in the boxcar they'd call me Matt. Floatin in the water, could call me Bob. " To me this sums up Shoe's warm adventurous soul. I'm so glad to see you continue to gain more support, to be getting past your injuries and moving around again properly. Not that I figured you wouldn't, just life can throw a lot your way at once and sometimes we don't come out of It. You're a walking inspiration brother. Love what you do man I hope to catch out after I'm off the books, maybe I can meet you some day.

[@steveainsworth4087]

Haha that was funny! Pull ya out of a pile of leaves and call you Russell :)

[@flyinglizards80]

I've worked in a rail yard 16 years and I bet shoestring knows it better than me. Love you buddy ❤

[@flyinglizards80]

MacMillan yard toronto. If your ever up this way give me a shout

[@flyinglizards80]

You can crash at my condo overlooking younge st.

[@NoNORADon911]

Did you notice he undid the valve on the train and did not re screw it on just set it on so it will fall off for sure lol AND posted vid of it!

[@NoNORADon911]

@29:00

[@ClayMann]

I don't know you but I like you already.

[@krazykyfan]

Man I love your videos! I've been a sub now for a few months and have enjoyed binge watching your content. My father-in-law was an engineer for CSX for 41 years, most of those out of Tampa, FL. He moved to Georgia for the last 8 or 9 years of his career. He ran from Fitzgerald, GA to Jacksonville at first, and from Waycross to Tampa the last few years before he retired. It's entirely possible you have been on one of his trains. His father was also a career railroad man as a conductor for CSX when he retired in the early 90's. Before then worked for Seaboard before they merged with Chessie in 1980 to become CSX. Keep up the awesome content and take care of yourself out there on those rails!

[@CampandTramp]

Thanks for sharing the personal stories about addiction and accidents. That was a lot to overcome. Giving up chewing tobacco I bet was tough too. Do the people on the upper floors of the apartment building have a view of the tracks? That would be nice to watch the trains go by. Maybe you could move up there. I liked seeing all the railroad items in the apartment. Thanks for making videos. I hope you get to see your Dad in Texas.

[@peterkelly7859]

You sir are an American Treasure. I enjoy your knowledge, trivia and homespun stories. I thank you for your service and pray that god keeps you safe, heathy and always with a charged battery to keep us informed of your travels.

[@BLXDRUMS44]

I've been binge watching all of your videos for a several months now and I have really enjoyed every single one of them. But this one today is really the most fascinating to me so far because you give us a 45 minute sit down talk about your experiences and knowledge. You are just an amazing person Shoestring. I really give you credit for your train knowledge, train routes, and just for being who you are! Please be careful and stay safe out there on your journeys and I'm looking forward to continue following you on KZbin channel. I wish you peace and continued happiness!

[@prinz10ga]

Great video Shoestring. Back in 1973 I was a cabinet maker and caught my hand in a sharper. Your injury and mine are similar. Same issues to this day. So glad to see you have family and a nice home to return to. Many don’t for sure. God Speed my friend.

[@russellm7530]

Yeah, I virtually never had any family or home. I had 99 percent bad family members and they kept me and my only good family members apart my whole life. Psychopaths.

[@boaboy8052]

I love stories told by someone you know lived hard and survived to tell the tale. Cheers Shoestring

[@dionst.michael1482]

Dayum, that last story. I felt that. I crushed my wrist and forearm uncoupling my float from my tri-axle dump truck about 13 yrs ago now. Didn't realize the operator had started backing off the trailer with his equipment when the tongue of the float took my arm up and jammed it up against the bottom of the dump box. Lost an arm bone and did a whole bunch of soft tissue/nerve damage got a few pins in holding the rest of my arm together. Partially disabled now. But at least he saved the rest of my arm and it missed most of my hand. Took me 5 surgeries and about 3 yrs to finally recover. I won't soon forget that day. Doc said he even removed a blood clot while he was in there. Coulda killed me I guess. I know I've never screamed quite like that before or ever since. Lol. Had to sit there trapped until a laborer ran around screaming and yelling at the operator to pull the backhoe back on the trailer. I was used too hauling a much bigger 3 axle float that would sit stable once you disconnected and had never worked with a smaller unit until that day. Just didn't do the math. It was literally the first day I had ever used a smaller tandem float that tipped like that. I got lucky though. I was literally 2 blocks away from the second best orthopedic surgeon in my country that day. No joke. I have almost 90% full range of motion and can still play my 6 string guitar to this day. Its just not as strong as it once was being that I only have the one arm bone now and no wrist to speak of. Other doctors who have seen my x-rays said it was either an act of God that I recovered as well as I did or I had one of the most amazing doctors on the planet. I tell em it was both. Lol.

[@ArthurFellig]

This is one of the best videos I've watched in quite sometime. You (Shoestring) have interesting stories to tell, and you share them in such an effortless, elegant way. Fantastic! Truly fantastic!

[@Montana4EST]

"holy shhhhchandlier" Love this channel.

[@SaltyNationalist]

Thanks for the tour of your pad Mark.. Lol.. That sure is a lot of Railroad memorabilia...😁👍

[@jasonasselin]

Thank You for your service Hobo!!

[@roadmaster1ful]

I really like your demeanor. You are always so calm and informative

[@stuemany]

You tell a good story... feel like you covered a lot of your life in one video.

[@alanosborne1947]

My wife is from Johnson City Tennessee and she still has family there we visit quite often. I love your apartment and all the railroad paraphernalia I'm sure you find it soothing! Would love to meet you and get a coffee next time we visit!

[@SmittySmithsonite]

Cracked up at your pine needle incident there, HAHAHA! Enjoyed this one. 45 minutes went by in a blink! Just like hanging out, shooting the crap with an old friend. Great stuff, Mark. 👍😎

[@PaulPavlinovich]

This is the first time I've heard your fingers story. One of those things you wonder about and don't ask. I'm happy you found a way forward to keep up your life as you want to live it. Well done mate.

[@ziggengineering7861]

Yeah first time I actually heard it too , this was a great video

[@SuperHddeuce]

It's the first time I even noticed he was missing fingers.

[@malfunctionjunction6212]

Spiffy duds ya got there Mr. Shoestring. Lookin good.

[@jamescrainjr1388]

you are a great narrator. you have a welcoming, soft-spoken style that many youtubers could really learn from. it really is all about the simple things in life.

[@farmhandluke5182]

Hello shoestring mighty fine of you to share your day with us, really enjoy the stories you tell, keep up the great work, safe travels to Texas! 🚂

[@mikecoston7670]

I cannot walk on those grate bridges. When I was a youthful offender I used to catch the Ann Arbor freight trains near Economy Bailor outside Ann Arbor. But I had to cross this narrow bridge with those damn grates. Love your videos.

[@tleocha]

What a pleasant way to pass time! Shoestring seems to be a kind man, who’s needs are simple and few... great stories and fun history. Beautiful landscapes too on the rails!

[@EricSmith-ve7qi]

You look good in sneakers and dressed down Shoestring!! The hoodie is very nice!! The first engine was Heritage unit!! Nice catch!! I can sit and listen to your stories all day! You have been through so much and I admire how you beat it all! I am happy you are heading to Texas and spending time with Dad! Tell him we all said hello! You are a amazing man and its a honor and privilege to know you! Hopefully one day I get to meet you! Lol you need to get up here to Johnstown Pa!! You are a inspiration to all Shoestring! Thank you for being you!! Great video!! B Safe.........

[@clems6989]

"Dang got an ass load of pine needles"...lol...

[@lamontethefishgod7023]

At first i thought he had a itch😂

[@steveainsworth4087]

LMAO!

[@jamescarlin569]

I just found you.... your the man .... my uncle was a traveler ... now I think of it I have a uncle on both sides who was a traveler ... don't like the word hobo but I guess that what they was....God bless

[@TheHoboShoestring]

Welcome aboard! I never really liked the sound of the word hobo either but the word helps describe what type lifestyle I live..... lol

[@toddfraisure1747]

My yard was small so I wasn't after to get the guys coming through any crap. As long as they didn't cause trouble we let them be or if they were good guys we would help them out. They kept some of the rookies and wild bucks in line also. There was no reason to bust their asses for just getting on. I miss the times of sitting with some and hearing their stories. Some really good people mostly. Helps remind you that you're no better than anyone else

[@famousbowl9926]

Thank you. Please teach the new guys to leave us tramps alone if we aren't fucking around.. lol ur good peeps...

[@ruberbandman5850]

agreed, and very well said sir!

[@NicCageForPresident2024]

You sound like a really good man. Not too many people these days like that anymore. Everybody wants to be nosy or in confrontational even worse judgemental.

[@Deebz270]

I love this guy. My first encounter with Shoestring today... Subscribed, he certainly deserves it. I'm hooked. (Cornwall, UK)

[@vladimirpoutine7522]

It makes for a very interesting life. I enjoy his stories.

[@ziggengineering7861]

He is a fantastic guy I love his honesty and the way he tells the tale ! He knows more about the railroads than the railroad does ! (West Yorkshire U.K)

[@EH-nw6bu]

Shoestring, I realize that you are finding it difficult to have an apartment. However, I am thinking that you are going to need a bigger place pretty soon if you don't stop collecting all of the memorabilia. On the other hand, glad you have the friends that you do, a place to go back to and reset.

[@jamessones4044]

Thanks for the recreation of your accident. Obviously it’s a question on our minds. 💪🏻💪🏻❤️🔥

[@harleyrider1205]

It would be awesome if you can sit down with someone and write a book about your travels. I buy one!

[@TheHoboShoestring]

I actually thought about doing it that way

[@MultiSandtrooper]

Probably 66.3k subscribers would buy one, me included!!!!👍👍👍

[@matthewcarocci9032]

@@TheHoboShoestring You really should! You're a wealth of knowldge and I'm sure you have tons of awesome stories to tell. Think about how much riding the rails has changed since the begining to now, how it has changed and will continue to change. It would be realy cool if you were able to part of that history and document it.

[@ClayMann]

@@matthewcarocci9032 it is a brilliant idea but also it comes with a special bonus. While researching for a book you could contact yards and different rail companies to inspect, ride, document as a writer, a journalist even. I could see Shoestring getting a real kick out of getting that up close and personal with the other side of the rail world.

[@Beyerjohn283]

Or do a Podcast as your voice helps to re-create the moment!

[@frankszucs6165]

You like Hemingway,the free spirit moving you and you are one of the few free person! Good bless you.

[@mikecoackley6852]

Band-Aids seem to help with the wind. Great footage.

[@kenhurley4441]

Yep,,, it healed the wind damage.

[@willanderson5088]

I’ve wanted to ride trains since I was a little kid. Grew up next to the tracks in Anoka MN. Watching these makes me want to finally take a trip.

[@ClayMann]

I hope this comes across as positive. I am serious and not making light. I heard Shoestring talking about the rocking that you see people who are autistic and how its a soothing mechanism. And riding the trains sort of emulates that with the motion. That got me thinking whether you could make something for the home that did this rocking motion. Lets say you started out simple with an actual rocking chair and attached a motor to it and a little raspberry pi to program it based on gyro motion or something like that. What I'm getting at is would that help a whole group of people who may be autistic but may have other conditions or even just plain old depression or something like that. How effective is that rocking motion. Does it need an auditory component that syncs with it. I think that would make a fascinating maker project with a very large audience who would want a thing. Imagine mothers who have a particular badly smitten autistic child they can't control well. Would a device like the rocking chair soothe and calm them? I guess this has probably already been studied but I'd not heard about it. It did get me thinking about that train motion that I really loved as a kid. I wasn't sure why I loved it but I would often sleep on train journeys as they kinda rock you to sleep. So there is something to what shoestring was saying. I mention that as I'm not autistic and it sure works for me. No ones going to read all that but I had to write it anyway.

[@FrankBenlin]

There is a line of thought that the calming effect of the rocking motion goes back to the days before we crawled out of the oceans and became land dwellers. That is if one believes in evolution.

[@alpacamybag9103]

Perhaps there is a link between the vibrations / sound of the train and the subconscious memory of being in the womb, the security of the mother's heartbeat. Good luck, nice Idea

[@ClayMann]

@@alpacamybag9103 YES I was doing a bit more reading and it seems the heartbeat from the mother while in the womb is what rocks the baby as its just a powerful muscle and baby kinda rights itself each time floating in the fluid so it gets this rocking motion throughout the whole pregnancy. That's some pretty powerful stuff and I can understand why baby would become so in tune with that sound and regular motion that is in line with its own heartbeat too. Fascinating stuff. So the sound is just as important as the motion it seems. My rocking chair prototype needs a speaker. I think I'm going to call it "The Choo Choo Chair" heh. Open to better names! If it tests well with victi... I mean volunteers, I'll float the idea around disability charities or large chains that sell mobility aids and such. Happy to give it away or maybe create a kit so people can buy the parts. We'll see I guess. Thanks for the encouragement!

[@ClayMann]

@@FrankBenlin oh that's some real primal stuff there. The amygdala is an ancient part of our brain that seems to back long before we were even human so you could be onto something there.

[@TheHoboShoestring]

I've thought about a swaying bed made perfect motions and surround sound rails noise

[@ronalddean4834]

Shoestring you've been to places slot of people only dream of. I'm glad I found your channel get to see things I wouldn't ordinarily see and hear some great stories. Thanks for sharing

[@willyhearrell9060]

Please include any KFC tags you find in your videos! I have seen a few in my travels and always brings a tear. Never a Shoestring tag yet though! Thank you for all that you do with the videos

[@willyhearrell9060]

@@Doubledsccreepingtom Kols. Freight Crew. Look up Stobe the Hobo!

[@NofaKingway]

I don't even know half you story but you're a respectful and genuine person. I appreciate you prefer to live on the (rail)road but you keep your apartment damn clean. Stay safe and thank you for sharing with us.

[@leeepps239]

Shoestring You Can Start Selling Shoestring Merchandise Like Other You Tuber .. Starting With That Hoodie Or Shirt And Caps ..

[@NoNORADon911]

No man...stop trying to commercialize everything

[@ClayMann]

@@NoNORADon911 no i totally agree, he should have a line of merch and take sponsorships. I mean damn that bucket is practically a branding icon. I would absolutely use that in branding. Imagine what Shoestring could do with the profits. I imagine homeless charities would be right up there or if he just wanted to comfort his own home out with a mega train set, then I wouldn't begrudge the guy that. He's served his country and a lot of people send him things because it makes them feel good. Merch can work like that too.

[@joedoomsdaypio4374]

Hell, I'd buy a shirt

[@nwcanuck5069]

Why shoot so low? I say railway tours with shoestring...this guy is a wealth of knowledge. There are a ton of people who would pay a premium for a one on one day with the man on site. I think it would take away from the star personally though. Damn I wish we had this kind of weather right now...stay safe shoestring. Glad you got your shots!

[@SonoranAstro]

@@NoNORADon911 based account name king 👑

[@gernaneering]

Mark i find you such a fascinating guy i could listen to you forever with that beautiful voice, and you speak with such wisdom, honesty, and humility, i know that you try to concentrate the more positive aspects of your life.. I thought that your desperately sad story of how you lost your fingers and a large portion of your palm but suppose that was the price you had to pay to save your life from what would have been a fatal impact to your head with the lower part of that bogie, God bless you bro.

[@SkittlesRevenge]

Nice, 1st locomotive was a NS Heritage Unit! I have a bunch of them in N Scale! Stay safe Shoestring! For anyone interested, not sure of the web address but NS has or had a page where you can track the heritage units!!!

[@michaelbuss5731]

Thanks for your service fellow veteran! I enjoy watching your videos.

[@timr31908]

My uncle worked for the railroad in the sixties and his foot got ran over by the train and he lost half of his foot.... He said the pain was so bad he almost died of a heart attack..... Very tragic experience.

[@jessicaarverne1181]

Shoestring, you are one of your kind. I love you almost as much as I love Stobe.

[@Dan__S]

"jimbus crinch"... "holy chandelier" what other non cursey explitives did shoestring teach us today?

[@mikewaller3175]

Thank you for brightening my day your stories and experiences always cheer me up and dying laughing over the cedar needles in the butt

[@TheHoboShoestring]

God'ch day'am

[@owenbrand4341]

Ef you see Kay tell her I'm on the way. How have I never heard any of these? Keep em coming Shoestring. Love it.

[@clems6989]

Have you watched his old old videos ? Hus language used to be pretty bad. I think maybe shoestring kept his promise he made God in that boxcar...lol

[@railnut8453]

I like this one I heard in a movie once can’t remember the name of the movie… “ HOLY UNDERWEAR!!!”

[@mikepeirson1150]

Thanks for video hobo, and for showing your lovely home, looks real cosy. Good luck and take care. Mike UK.

[@jameschristiansson3137]

Johnson City, Tennessee. They used to make fire hydrants there.

[@ericrundgren7257]

They make Shoestrings too

[@TheHoboShoestring]

I didn't know that

[@amandaconnell653]

Holy chandelier!!! Ahh! So funny Hobo. Stay safe. 👍👍💖💖 🇬🇧 🇬🇧

[@zerofox7347]

Train tracks certainty are a peaceful place, The smells never leave you I can always bring up the smell in my head of steal, Douglas fir and pine dipped well in creosote and bitumen and all the nature around you, Nice hidden place for a fire if possible! Obviously this is the perfect place, not the usual 😁 but that's ok if her still on or near the rail road..

[@gypsy_soul16]

Oh snap! You shoulda wore ya boots! I remember those days Shoestring!!! Oh cool I live in Marietta Georgia!!

[@burtbrooks7731]

NOR FOLK’N WAY RAILWAY 😂😂😂 shoestring got shoestrings on💪❤️your videos brother stay safe👊

[@funwithunclebdub9942]

I spent my working life when I quit school when I was 17 to 25 working on the railroad. It was the best thing I've ever done. Watching your videos are great you have a good knowledge of being a hobo I have a knowledge of putting those tracks together. I swung a maul spiking miles. We had modern machines but they broke down constantly. Or we'd get junk. Just parked them in the siding. Never rode trains. Shoestring your an American legend my friend.

[@jimmythepirate494]

Hey, have you ever looked at your google history for your tracking data on your device? It would be a roadmap of every train route youve rode since you owned whichever device you currently use....

[@BrendanSmallButera]

You can turn off location tracking. Shoestring probably already did, or maybe he doesn't care.

[@jimmythepirate494]

@@BrendanSmallButera as open as he is with his hobby, i suspect he doesnt much care. I was just thinking how a print of it on a map, framed would be an excellent merch opportunity for himself and his fans. Just a thought.

[@mikejones-vd3fg]

not only that you gotta have your GPS turned on, which if you've lived outside would know that battery and charging spots are rare, so turning off any unnessary battery drains is necessary, like gps, bluetooth even wifi when youre not in range of anything, I found this to be true while travelling and sleeping outside in California, chargings spots were really hard to find as most places locked their outlets and even places like mcdonalds got rid of chargins spots at their tables for some reason, probably because lot of homeless were sitting there all day charging all day, but still it was a litte much, im sure things have improved since batteries have gotten better

[@integr8er66]

3077 is a vinyl Adhesive, wow that is a lot more room in there than I thought. I guess a boxcar is still better though. I sure enjoy hanging out here with you Shoe, Thx for what you do.

[@jamesswetland5019]

I don’t like the concrete ties. It takes away the smell of the railroad that you get off the wooden ties.

[@perrythorvig6446]

Your windproofing worked pretty well.

[@erinikeuchi6447]

Shoestring you are a great storyteller. I am always on an adventure watching your videos. Thank you!

[@mikejohns3104]

That is the best decorated dwelling I have ever seen.

[@KB-gs8zi]

Sir Shoestring !!!! Thanks for the video & sharing !!!! Yepper !!! TX. can be beautiful in spring with the flowers & ""Blue Bonnets"" !!! Have a great trip & ""KEEP IT SAFE ""!!

[@BruceGordon925]

I swear we had to have crossed paths. My time in the 90's had time in Johnson City, Ashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Bristol. Your talking Baldwin Yard, going on up to Waycross, out to the coast to Savanna, over to Valdosta. Then on up to Atlanta, Ya I bet we did cross paths.

[@Gunny1971]

I worked with a welder once that was the best Id ever seen. He could take his helper and a string line and measure out the most convoluted lines ever, and his pipe always fit like a glove. 50 foot lines with 3 90s and a 45, half a dozen flanges... one measurement and when we bolted it up it always fit. That was up until about 3:00pm. After that he shook so bad he couldn't hold a tape measure. He got run off because a company man coming in behind him at 5:00am caught him throwing beer bottles out the window. To this day i wonder about what happened to him later in life.They always say cocaine is a hell of a drug, but I think alcohol has it beat. Glad your doing good Shoestring.

[@bone_valley_railfan_produc8286]

Wow you just caught a NS heritage unit leader nice video

[@2flyabove]

I caught that too... Very cool to see.

[@whatyoumakeofit6635]

What is a "NS heritage unit leader" ? Very curious.

[@steelcityrailfan4808]

A Norfolk Southern heritage unit leading the train. First engine

[@BumpPumper]

@@whatyoumakeofit6635 the Norfolk Southern railway painted up some of their locomotives to look like the old railroads that were bought/merged to become the Norfolk Southern. These are known as "heritage units". The first train in the video was led by a locomotive that was painted in the "Savannah and Atlanta" paint scheme. That was an old railroad that became part of the Norfolk Southern. That locomotive is the one and only locomotive painted like that, so that's why so many train fans love to see them, they're rare. The Norfolk Southern does this to acknowledge their heritage, hence the name "heritage unit".

[@HoosierDaddy_]

Really like the new sweatshirt. Looks very comfortable. Your stories and videos are great! Im almost your age and have had many challenges and blessings. Im disabled now and these videos let me escape and ride the rails in my mind! Thanks Shoestring!

[@kenithj76]

Enjoy your videos brother. I've had covid and set me back a few weeks but no way in hell would I take the jab even after having covid. To many variants and mutating for the jab to work and to many side effects . To each his own ... Hope it helps you brother. Stay safe!

[@Roscoe.P.Coldchain]

Me neither I’ve never listened to any of the media I’m in my 50s and jab free and wouldn’t take the vaccine

[@wouldntyou_like_to_know]

Unfortunately, Kentihj76 should have gotten the jab. I am sorry to report that he has not been heard from since this comment.

[@wellh1804]

just came across this channel I liked it and most of all I like your free spirit. I see my baby brother in you. he loved planes and flying since he was A small child way back in Africa. He grew up to be a Fedex pilot many years later and I saw how much loving a life style and a certain work field could end up to be. I miss him a lot since he passed away at the age of 47 suddenly away from home on a trip to Europe in 2018. sorry to know about your accidents, wish you well and stay safe. I subscribed and you have my support. cheers and keep up the beautiful videos.

[@briang6040]

CSX is beginning to go back to wooden ties. They're realizing that the concrete ties doesn't have flexibility and give like the wooden ties do, which causes them to crack, especially once they're sitting in water too long. They've been going back to the wooden ties all over south Georgia.

[@railnut8453]

And I’m thinking the steel ties didn’t work well because you’d have to insulate the rails from the ties on each one so they wouldn’t shunt the track and cause circuit issues. If the insulation failed it would cause a TOL.

[@kurancy]

@@railnut8453 Just like my Lionel train set. LOL

[@lukestrawwalker]

Yep and having to buy them all from China or Mexico, because it's virtually impossible to get anything creosote made in the USA anymore. Power companies are doing the same thing. They replaced the 50 year old creosote power poles along our road with "Yellawood" (that crap "treated wood" that they started using after they outlawed CCA (arsenic) treated wood...) First off they had to wrap the poles with hardware cloth (basically fine chicken wire) in a spiral from the top down, because that yellawood crap won't even deter a woodpecker at all, and woodpeckers will hollow out a utility pole pretty quick. They didn't mess with the creosote ones too much til they got old and most of the creosote was gone from the top end of the pole after 20-30 years, THEN they'd start pecking holes in them and building nests. If the pole was good and "wet" with creosote the peckers would leave them alone. SO anyway they wrap these yellawood poles with hardware cloth in a spiral from the top down, tack it down to the pole, and drop them in the ground and put the wires up. About five years later they ripped them all out and put up brand new CREOSOTE poles in their place. I read the tags on them after they dropped them off in the ditch for a few weeks before the line crew came and changed them all out-- they were all made in Mexico. Still legal to manufacture creosote down there so they get all the business. Creosote seals and protects the wood from rot, decay, fungus, birds, etc for many years. That Yellawood stuff is treated with some boric acid or something that is corrosive, so it eats up the metal hardware you attach to the pole, plus within a couple years it starts to rot... We tried using "treated" posts in the fence and they were garbage-- you'd put in a post nearly a foot in diameter and within a few years it'd be rotted off underground down to a spindle about maybe 2-3 inches in diameter, soft as a sponge. You could push them over with one hand! Just garbage. That was back when we had CCA posts-- this yellawood crap is even worse! We started building fence from #1-2 used RR ties-- so long as they aren't cracked from one end to the other or hollow inside, they hold up really well. Whatever happened to this country that now to get stuff that actually WORKS you gotta buy it from Mexico or China, because they've made all the good stuff ILLEGAL here?? I remember as a kid we used merthiolate and mercurachrome on cuts and abrasions, good stuff it'd take the soreness out of a cut or abrasion you'd get otherwise, particularly if you got it from a thorn tree scratching or cutting your skin open. Nope can't have that anymore-- mercury poisoning... we used it for years and didn't die or have our brains rot... Guess some idiots DRANK the stuff somewhere and so "let's make it illegal!". Same thing with the treated wood... "oh, people are gonna get arsenic poisoning from the arsenic in the wood!" Maybe if you ATE about half a truckload of wood! Don't know of anybody doing that. First thing they did was make it illegal to use on playground equipment-- guess they figured little Johnny was gonna stand there licking the arsenic off the playground equipment... he'd have to lick every square inch of it for a year to get enough arsenic to make him sick! Crazy! Same thing with creosote... heck when I was a kid in the 70's and 80's we had a cough syrup made with creosote... it was called "Creomulsion" and it was BLACK... it was basically water, sugar, alcohol, and a bit of creosote. Stuff didn't taste too good but it sure worked! One time I came down with something and was sick for like six months, well, not sick sick but coughing all the time, every day. I'd tried all the regular cough syrups like Vicks 44 and the rest and nothing would dry it up. Grandma bought some creomulsion and I tried and within a week that cough was dried up and GONE! I tried to get Creomulsion several years later when I got a cough and found that the stuff was RED... the gubmint made them quit using creosote in it (about the time they basically made creosote illegal) and so they basically put the same stuff in it as Vicks 44 or whatever... and it didn't work on the cough. When I was a kid in the 70's and we'd get sick and be puking our guts out, from food poisoniing or rotavirus, stomach virus, whatever, mom would give us a dose of paragoric, or what was called "coke syrup", which basically it tasted like the concentrated syrup that they used to mix with carbonated water in soda fountains to make a coke, but it was clear. One teaspoon of that and you were CURED... I had something SO bad one time I was puking up my toenails-- I mean I was literally puking up yellow and green bile, which is absolutely horrible about like puking up battery acid and the taste is like rancid dogsh!t... Anyway, one dose of paragoric and I didn't puke again period... no dry heaves, nothing! They outlawed that stuff before I was in junior high because it had 'opioids" in it... the stuff was basically related to codeine or morphine, BUT IT WORKED! I guess some idgit somewhere sat around drinking the stuff by the quart or something so they made it ILLEGAL... and of course after that it's just puke your guts out for a few days til you get better... Really STUPID. Later! OL J R :)

[@K-Riz314]

@@lukestrawwalker I didn't know they outlawed creosote, but that explains why new utility poles I've seen in the past few years have the looked they do. I was a CATV plant maintenance tech for several years in my 20s and absolutely loved that smell of creosote at the poles.

[@lukestrawwalker]

@@K-Riz314 yeah they tried yellawood poles in our area, found them no good, started buying poles from Mexico and China where complete FOOLS aren't in charge... One more business down the tubes, "YAY Demonrats!" There's one company called "Stice Sawmill" in central Texas that still had creosote fence posts available last time I checked a few years ago, but you have to preorder like six months in advance and the price... If you have to ask you can't afford it. Crazy! We're using #2 RR ties for fence corners and corrals now, Yellawood is absolute SH!T went hold up five years.

[@tennesseenate7314]

I live in kingsport and work in Johnson city as a transportation driver and I have drove under that blue train bridge a million times. I love your videos Shoestring.

[@toddfraisure1747]

Replacing the Oak crossing ties were the worst. Heavy as hell and usually had to pre drill for spikes.

[@FourMaxK1]

Your apartment brings back a lot of memories. Love trains!!

[@coffeeknuckles4802]

That sounds like a tough 16 days in the psych ward. I'm glad there was no Nurse Ratched.

[@warrenjohnknight.9831]

Mark you and I are similar in thinking mate, I am also ex army and a recovery alcoholic, plus I was born and bred around the railways, and a railway enthusiasts, watching you out in the real America is absolutely the only way to see it from my comfort zone in the south Pacific island. Keep safe okay mate many regards Warren, ❤❤❤🚂🚂🚂🚂🚋🚋🚈🚎🚍🚅🚆

[@lawrencechristopher3830]

#HoboShoestring Awesome video 💯 it looks like a beautiful day outside , hope your second covid-19 vaccine is going to be ok, that road that was running below you was Mckinley Road have a blessed day 🙏

[@FrankBenlin]

One of your best non riding videos. We even got a Shoestring Railroad Museum tour. You're looking good in your new hat and hoodie. Thanks Shoestring, stay safe.

[@nc4tn]

On our Clinchfield Railroad profiles, that trestle location is called “Southern Rwy Knoxville Division crossing “. There is supposed to be a National Geodetic survey benchmark there, but I can’t find it.

[@robertblake7145]

Shoestring , you scare me on that climb and especially on the bridge! High places and narrow walkways terrify me! Thanks for sharing your adventures and travels. Stay safe! Bob

[@kennyspry5189]

Main reason for the use of concrete ties vs wood ties is the wood ties the spikes loosen up causing the plates movement and joints loosening up and the concrete ties also last longer also there is less movement with concrete ties vs wood ties and less maintenance with the concrete ties

[@kennyspry5189]

@Pat The Patriot On CSX just about all there Main Lines have them a lot of the Class I Railroads have them That's a Good Question WHY don't they

[@tallguy0887]

Thank you shoestring, I had one of those work days just grumpy and I watch this 😂 “pine needles in my butt” then just as I’m recovering “I’ve got an assload of them” oh my I lost it! Thanks for the mood adjustment 👍🏻

[@eezyclsmooth9035]

I Have watched many many "Shoestring" videos and always wondered about that terrible hand injury. Finally the unfortunate story is told in graphic detail !

[@DanMeyer80]

He told it before in an earlier video

[@Carolb66]

Just watching one of my favourite shoestring videos, come home safe miss you. ❤

[@zh22_24]

Man way to start the video with a heritage!

[@railfanningrailproductions]

Love how you caught 1065 Savannah and Atlanta heritage unit from norfolk southern at the beginning of the video keep up the great work man!

[@backdownontheboat6038]

We all drank Mad Dog 2020 back in the 90’s. At least I think I did. I can’t really remember...

[@Beyerjohn283]

St. Ides Special Brew here.

[@maybesomaybenot1652]

...MD2020 and Mickey's Bigmouths. Boones Farm if you were fancy.

[@rogerhulett9177]

Concord grape too

[@eltonspurlock]

70s used to keep a case out on the window seal at the barracks in GERMANY '76

[@paulmicks7097]

Nice place sir , so glad you have a place to start writing your advice and experiences.