Some good memories ❤️ of my friend, Legend Hobo Shoestring.
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- Опубліковано 26 сер 2024
- I've been pretty emotional since hearing of Shoestring's passing. I just wanted to share some personal memories & stories about being his friend & what that meant to me. I'm hoping this video helps people understand what a great human he was, how much people cared about him, & how much he will be missed.
Mark is free and clear of this troubled world.
I’m glad Shoestring had you for a friend. Thank you Matt
When i hear trains i always think of him riding trains
He touched many people's lives in the way he shared his journey
Your damn right he did,, with style
Shoestring valued his friendships. He talked about you a lot. Hang in there. Lots of good memories for you.
We all liked the digital Shoestring and his travels....you had the honor of his company and friendship...sorry for your loss. He seemed like a unique and genuine dude.
Knowing Shoestring the person....was one of the greatest honors of my life
Hey Matt, Thanks for positing your stories about Shoestring. I live here in Alaska and I tried to meet up with him several times but we couldn't get our schedules to sync up. Now I wish I would have tried harder because you just never know. The best thing you can do is keep him in your thoughts and live each day the best you can. I truly believe he is watching down on all his friends and silently guiding them through their lives safely. Imagine having a guardian angel named..... Shoestring
💗
Love the linking lizerd, the owner is from my neck of the woods.
He actually came up missing same dad my dad passed. They found him same day as my dad's funeral.
I'll forever miss him....
He was a vet too
I'm sorry for the loss of your Dad
@@rpdobbler
Thanks my brother. Dad was a Korean war vet, and a sheriff for 30 years. He had both navy and sheriff office honors at his funeral. Also one of two surviving vets from Korea from the VA was there on his original army uniform, and holding the original Korean War flag. All 3 navy sailors was officers. And the one officiating is an admril. Beautiful service.
Thank you so much for honoring Mark in this way. I personally never met him, but I saw him a couple times riding.
My dad passed away 16 years ago 27th of March sorry for your loss also RIP Shoestring
So sorry to hear. My 98 year old Dad passed on April 4th [2024]. Like I said in my comment it's getting harder to lose good men and women in this troubled day and age.
Hobo Shoestring is a very likable guy. It is easy to see why so many people took to him and loved him.
Hey Matt, I think any of us who were communicating with him could sense his health waning and I feel he was struggling with that. His health was rapidly restricting his greatest love and happy place, the sound of the rail that was his happy place. He had his circle and I’m just blessed that I called him friend but he had his inner circle and you my friend were in my opinion, his best friend. The bond you shared he would talk about.
Your story about Star Wars is true, he’d light up talking about that spaceship model he has.
I only wish I had a friend as tight as he saw your relationship. God Bless and thanks for the stories.
He definitely didn't like being an inside dog....He was here on this Earth to explore. He HATED that his health held him back the past couple years
He was very personable. I am missing him a lot, too.
I remember Hobo mentioned the name Matt as a friend in one of his vudeos. My wife and I followed and watched his videos often. He came across as one of the nicest and interesting people I ever saw. We miss him already, too.
I’m really going to miss him singing Brother Jukebox. As well as listening to his stories as I try to fall sleep after a bad day.
*BROTHER SHOESTRING*
Funny you mentioned‘Brother Jukebox’ , I caught myself trying to remember the words to that just the other day. I made up new words 🎵”Hobo Shoestring, Mother Freedom, Father Time…..Since you left us, there’ll be no more rides. “ ❤️🙏🙏🙏
I've fell asleep to that song a few times the last couple weeks in my mind....
I loved him singing too
Please make more videos...
The world is a little darker since has been gone. I don't think he realized how many people really loved him. I wanted to meet him and I am the bull. Rest in peace brother.
Thanks Shoestring for showing us America’s backyard from grainers, boxcars, and intermodal. Hope you find a Cadillac trainer in heaven.
He will be missed
Thank you Matt.
For sharing your memories.
Still doesn't feel real...
We are missing him so,, good guy, & great storys & riding & showing the US one train at a time ,,
You’re awesome friend sir!
Bless u matt. Ty for the awesome 😎 video of ur memories of shoestring. Rip shoestring ❤😂
He thought the world of you brother he mentioned you alot in his video's and I did personally know him i lived 3 minutes from him for many years in Johnson city and im just heart broken
I just want to say I understand completely not wanting to film when you two where together. You wanted that to be just you and him time. I hate this for you and I loved his videos. But I will say I found your channel through him and I see you as a continuation of him. We are all here and if not I am here for you.
Take care
Nevin
😊yes same here
Loved watching his train hopping he'd be in the train tunnels here kitty kitty kitty
🙂
Well God bless Shoestring and God bless you. Beautiful tribute.
Many thanks for sharing your friendship with Shoestring. H will definitely will be missed. Please post more videos of your best friend.
I'll make these videos about him once in a while....but its emotionally draining...& right now it's still pretty raw
Been keeping an eye out for you Matt, cuz Shoestring gave a shout out to you on the very first video of his I ever watched. Then you made a guest appearance in another video. Thanks for the memories Matt.
Matt....string was on what I called "hobo time"......God Bless you Matt for your kind memories, and I know you would agree with me when I say String
never met a person who did not like him, RIP String....we all miss you....
You were blessed with a great friend. We feel your pain & sorrow. Keep his legacy going while making your own. Love your honesty & look forward to your next great video !
Thanks for sharing your remembrances of Shoestring, Matt. He was fortunate indeed to have you as a good friend. I watched nearly all of his videos; one of my favorites was when he was up on the Alaska Highway in the dead of winter. All alone, waiting to hitch a ride. Frigid temps. Seemed like a pretty tough spot to be in but he made out okay. He'd been in many tough spots and situations but always seemed to persevere. He'll be missed by many. You're right: he really was sort of a folk figure. Please do share more memories of him down the line.
Oh yeah! He was at my house when he decided to go up there! He got his ticket from CLE to Alaska when I was sitting next to him! We went to TSC & he bought a set insulated bibs! Cheers RR! Hope to make it up your way one of these days!
I'm praying for Shoestring's family 🙏✝️❤️ RIP Shoestring 😢
Thank you for sharing. Awesome friend of his and I am sure he valued that friendship deeply.........
It was a blessed friendship that is rare my friend
Im a fan of shoestring if you was his friend good enough for me. Thank you for this video
Matt, That was truly from the heart.
You have had a tremendous shock; it happened unexpectedly. You knew Mark personally; it is rare to find a like-minded friend. I find comfort knowing that Mark had the unique achievement of a very successful UA-cam channel. I remember when Mark got the plaque from UA-cam for reaching 100,000 subscribers. You could see that he was astonished by the success of his channel. It was a real source of pride for him. You were a good friend to Mark.
😂😂😂😢😅
Hi Matt, I knew Shoestring was a huge star wars fan & one of the best memories of him I have watching one video was him modelling his new millennium falcon glow in the dark t shirt. He was so made up with it, saying it came! He was on his boat launch showing us his t shirt walking up & down like he was on a catwalk! So funny. Its the memories you have Matt that will keep you going especially these first weeks without him. You take care & hope to see you on YT from time to time with more video's of you two together. God bless, RIP Mark aka Shoestring. ❤❤🥰
Yeah Mat you made me smile. I never got to meet him but I was was a big fan of him. I knew the first time I watched one of his videos he was a very smart. and a wealth of knowledge on many things. He knew more about the Railroad than the Railroad does. I'm sad this has happened to him and will miss his videos. RIP Shoestring
He was a super sharp guy....I deal with a lot of "smart" people every day. Shoestring was incredibly intelligent & had a memory like a steel trap for the things he was passionate about
This is Paul in Youngstown Ohio. I am a shut in at home and I had a lot of extra camping stuff, and cameras, drones, boaphang radio, and gymble and other stuff. I have even had five bird books for Mark. I like the birds too. I cannot send anything to Mark. I did get a couple of the yeti buckets too. I enjoyed Marks videos a lot too. I watched them. I too am in recovery from the drinking and drugging and on June the 4th this is my 44th anniversary. Since I already had a problem with alochol, if I pick up a drug will right back picking up alochol in no time. This is called tranferance of addictions. Mark was in the emengency room to get something for him to sleep on. Then he fournd out that his health coverage was no more. I did not think it was a good idea for him to be taking sleeping pills from the doctor. Yet, all of this is all on Mark to deal with. Was sad, inside, and shocked that Mark ended up in the lake. Been going thru the grieving process. Thanks for giving Mark a good send off. Paul in Ohio He got shoestring from a song. In Alaska he got a gold pan, at my request, to seach for some of that pretty gold in Alaska. I sent him the money for the pan, and thirty more for two meals on those boats. Hope he got to enjoy the money I sent to him.
I remember him saying he got that gold pan! Thanks for all you did for him! I KNOW he was VERY appreciative for EVERYTHING all his fans did for him! He said he never understood people's fascination with him. I tried to explain it to him, but I don't think he ever totally got it.
Yeah Buddy!!!! Saying “yeah Buddy” is how I always started my comments on Shoestring’s videos. Matt, thank you for being a great friend and sharing your experience with Shoestring. It would be awesome to have a beer with you and listen to more Shoestring stories. I been a fan of his for years and it sad to hear what happened. Somewhere up there he is riding the great big train in the sky. I look forward to hearing more stories in your videos once you put them out. Thank you again. Take care Bud! Massachusetts always supports Shoestring!
Cheers brother
So very sorry for your loss, he seemed to be a gentle soul. He is riding the railway to Heaven now. Sending my condolences to all of his friends and family 🙏✝️💟
I've watched Shoestring for two years found him on Thanksgiving day,I loved his videos because it felt like I was riding with him on the trains,wish I could've met him it person but he'd occasionally reply back to me when I commented on his videos
Yep, he gave us a glimpse of what it would be like to live his lifestyle!
@@rpdobblerhe unfortunately never went through my town on a train,I always looked to see if I could spot him in a grainer
Kinda know how you feel. Only found his videos last fall. Watched most of them. Knew he was gone when they didn't find him within the first 48 hours. Still get teary.
@@user-kv9jw3ph2s they say the good die young he was only 53
Same here. I’m in Wa state, and live right next to the rails. Trains stop right next to my house, and I invited him to let me know and stop in if he was ever in the area
We're all going to miss him. I never met him but enjoyed his videos. I always looked for him at the crossings.
So sorry for the loss of such a good friend and soulmate. I only watched his videos and I know how I feel the loss. I can't imagine how you feel. But what a blessing to have known him so well! Take care, and treasure the memories.
I remember the video he made of visiting you. I really enjoyed that one and saw what a good friend to him you were. Peace be with you, Matt.
Much comforting hugs to you Matt. You were a fabulous good friend to Shoestring. I’ve enjoyed the videos you both shared together. May your heart feel his love and friendship that FOREVER STAYS WITH YOU. Fly HIGH dear Mark with all the railroads and trains up in heaven. ❤️💕🥰
Yep, he'll always be a part of my life. He gave me the gift of true friendship...that'll be with me till the day we meet again
Thank you for sharing your memories of a good friend Mark Nichols Shoestring will be missed by many.
Wherever he is now, I’m sure he got himself an old crummie, with a little coal stove and a good bunk, all to his self. Thank you for being a good friend to him. 🙏🏼❤️
Thank you sir.
Mark was a friend. We texted often. I keep hobo hours, so Mark knew I’d probably be awake if he texted at 3 AM. I know how you feel. Hit me pretty hard too. Sure do miss him.❤
So sorry for your loss. I saw his videos where he went to see you, and as a fellow Buckeye, I've got to say how cool it must have been to be his friend. The fact that you had a good friendship and could BS with him outside of youtube is special. It was really neat to hear your stories, especially the funny moments. Thanks for sharing some of those moments.
I hold these moments dear to my heart & will till I meet him again
Rest in Peace to my Hobo Hero! May you ride the Golden Rails!
Love this tribute. We lost a library, he would always answer every comment I put up. We live the vanlife, so he has been an inspiration from the start
Thanks for this tribute. My husband and I watched Shoestring all the time, past 3-4 years. We were shocked to see that he had died. He was a smart guy.....knowledgeable about plants, birds, rivers, mountains, weather, cloud formations. I sure hope investigators get to the bottom of his passing. He will be missed.
Thank you Matt..for sharing your stories and being there when he needed you.....The video he made with the flat wheel ride..may have been his last ride...I can't prove that ..but it the last ride video he posted.. I believe ..rest in love Mark Nichols..aka.Hobo Shoestring
I learned more about trains from him then anyone. Shoestring had a great heart. I am glad you were Shoestrings friend.
Matt, I’m so sorry for your loss. You boys had a ‘soul connection’. He had a life well lived but we’re all sad to see it end. Take care.
I appreciate you sharing this. I’d love to hear some more. It’s good to hear about the man off the rails. It did bring a smile to my face. I watched a video earlier where he was at, I believe he called it the limestone depot. He was talking about you and the food package you had sent him. He says “yeah I believe I will have steak tonight”. I never met him but his videos have helped me through some troubled times of my own. They would bring such a calmness and peace to me. I watch one almost every night and I have for a while. Sometimes I’ll get caught up and watch 3-4 hours of them. Gonna miss him, just wish I could have met him and told him thank you. Thanks again for sharing and I’m sorry you lost your friend. Best wishes.
My pleasure, thanks for watching
You sir are a very respectful man and a awesome friend 😊
Thank you Matt please make more of these videos they are injoy able
My condolences, Matt, for the loss of your special friend. Your stories were interesting and fun and such a touching tribute to Mark. ♥️
Thanks for sharing mat this is your neighbor dyno ryno down in hamilton oh between cincy and dayton my dad got me watching shoestring 4 yrs ago and ive been hooked,sure gonna miss his rides and believe it or not my father worked the railroad for 40yrs and i learned more about the railroad from shoestring than him. R i p shoestring ride on buddy ride on!
Thank you for sharing your memories of Shoestring 🙏
Mark was Angel on earth
He certainly was, & there wasn't a moment that I was with him, I didn't realize that. Such a special person
on earth as in heaven 👼
Still can't believe He's gone, You were a great friend to Mark, condolences for family and friends. Every time I hear a train horn or film a train go by I'll think of Shoestring, great Guy and will miss Him and His videos, He left His mark upon this world.
GOD BLESS YOU MATT he talked about you quit a bite also hang on to them memories !
Thanks for the video. Shoestring was a encyclopedia. I wish I could have met him. I couldn't wait for his next video. He always made my day. I love trains. Infact I own a HO scale layout. I will never be able to look at a train rolling down the tracks, or run my layout without thinking of Mark. Not many people can touch my heart. Shoestring is one that did. I really don't think he knew how much people loved him. I'm one that will forever love Mark. I wil never forget him. Rest In Piece Brother. 🙏 prayers to his family...
LOVE YOU MR. SHOESTRING!!!!!!! R I.P. AND RIDE THE GOLDEN RAILS OF HEAVEN EXPRESS ❤✝️🙏✨🥺⚔️💚🏆🔥🌅🌄💛
Thanks for the video Matt. Nice to hear some stories. Sure am gonna miss Shoestring. Take care man.
Thanks for watching...I miss him so much already...
Great video on y’all’s friendship ! We all definitely have a void due to his passing. Glad you got to know him, spend time with him and have great memories. He was fortunate to have a good trustworthy friend like you to help him out at times and just hang out with. Hope to see some more videos down the road . Thanks and take care Matt .
Just a free spirit Matt I will miss him.
We all will! He was a special kinda human
Thanks for sharing the memories. Shoestring was a very smart fellow, he knew the whole US rail system, probably better than anyone that works on it.
He definitely did.
He will be missed, sorry for your loss
Thank you for your big heart
Thank you for keeping ShoeString in our thoughts Please keep it coming
So sorry for your loss! He definitely will be missed by soooo many he was a real gem I really enjoyed him & his travels
Thanks for sharing your personal thoughts. I had no idea why he stopped posting. I'm a Vietnam vet and it was not unusual that soldiers, who knew that death was right around the corner, would call out for their mom... shoestring was one of those who loved his mom. If his health and mental state were on the decline, I'm glad that he didn't suffer for many years and apparently went quickly. Shoestring had a way of connecting and letting us strangers have a seat at his table, I will also miss him
Im so sorry for ur sadness Matt.Tragic loss for everyone that watched.
Thanks Matt for doing this video, giving all of us who loved Shoestring a little more insight to Mark . Coming from someone who knew him and was about as close to him as anyone made it special. Maybe you can talk about it, if you will, but in the one of his videos in Alaska he talked some about Conner and went to visit him out by Homer. He said that one day he would make a video about Conner when he felt like he could. When Mark talked about him I got the impression that Conner might’ve been his son but it was never clear. Having lost my oldest son just weeks before his 25th birthday 30 years ago I can tell you losing a child is something a parent never really gets over. If you could elaborate some I , and I’m sure others, would deeply appreciate it. Again thanks, great video, and if you make another with clips or stories I will be sure to watch. Prayers for Mark. 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you Matt for sharing your thoughts with UA-cam. Missing Mark/Shoestring a lot. ❤❤❤
Matt, Shoestring made a comment in a video about your game room. He thought it was really cool!
I'm glad I just Started following shoe string one year ago He reacted to a couple of my comments I'm going to miss him
Rip shoestring you will always be missed.
LOVED HIS TOUR OF LIFE RIP SHOESTRING
I recently found shoestring on youtube, and I am missing him pretty bad too. I barely know this dude, and I miss him. The more I watch the more I wish I could have met him and possibly traveled with him.
I enjoyed his video's, and I even got some merch (sigh board, shirt, hat). He liked his freedom being on the tracks and he was smart about where the train were heading too. Iam the same age as Mark I don't know how he could be riding those trains rough ride. We will be missed by many of us, and I wish I met him. Thank you for sharing, Matt.
Pease share more when you can. Thanks
I’m dying laughing over the the prison disc from Superman. I needed a happy shoestring story. Thank you 🙏 ❤.
Glad you enjoyed! Lol...it definitely made me laugh telling that story! Shoestring love it! Lol
I'm sorry for your loss 😢
Thank you for doing this Matt, just watching Shoestrings videos I could tell he really cared about you as well. He was a great guy and will be missed by many. God speed
Good tribute, Matt. I hope you will share more stories of Shoestring.
I definitely will along the way
I remember coming upon a video on UA-cam of him in Berea. Ohio. I watched it and recognized exactly where he was. I was a Cleveland police officer detailed to Hopkins airport (recently retired). I would always look to see if I could see him on one of his trips to Berea as the trains were right by the airport...
Thanks for keeping Cleveland safe
That's awesome! Cheers my friend
Thank you Matt for this video. For the first time since I heard the news that he had passed away, I smiled.
Shoestring was a very good friend and I always enjoyed watching the videos of you together because like you said it seemed like you knew each other from a million years ago.
I know what you mean by feeling like you had known him before because when we started texting back and forth I got the exact same feeling we'd text back and forth several times a day too and we'd always talked about Star Wars, outer space and ust about everything else other than trains.
When we finally got to meet in person at the hospital last year he was so very glad to finally meet me in person. He told me that he had friends but very few that he considered as true friends and I know that you were one of those true friends and he considered me a true friend as well.
We were going to make plans after I retired that I would come down to Tennessee and he would take me on a train ride. That surely would have been something.
I'm glad that I got to meet you because he always talked about you and told me what a great guy you were and it's true.
Take care my friend and should you ever want to talk and reminisce about Shoestring, you know how to get in touch
Love ya Loretta! He always talked about you too! I know he cared for you very much!
Just wanted to give my deepest condolences to you Loretta on the loss of your good friend Shoestring. You were likely more that just a friend but also provided a woman's voice of kindness, reason, and wisdom for him. I feel he really loved and respected you.
@@NorlandBoxcar thank you for the kind words. Shoestring told me many times how blessed he was to have me as a friend. But it was I that was truly blessed to have him in my life.
He called me his "pitbull" because I always stood up to the trolls and haters on his channel. I was honored to do that.
I know he loved and respected me because he'd always tell me how much he did.
A Loving Tribute Loretta to your dear friend Mark. He was definitely way more than a good friend, he was indeed Family to you and Matt. In some measure, he left an imprint on pretty much everyone that he crossed paths with. But we all have those Special People who seem to know us long before we ever really met face to face. You and Matt and a few lucky ones have this wonderful experience. I'm just so grateful that I was allowed to Ride Along and those few times Mark would reply to a comment I left him was like winning the lottery! I was so stoked to get a Hobo Shoestring pat on the back. He gave so many "Shadows" love and attention and insight on how to just be a good, decent person. My heart and soul is forever tattooed with The Hobo Shoestring Family. I shall continue to Smile and Strut because I said YES To Riding With You All! Thank You!
@@TheStuport thank you. I'll always be grateful that you got to ride along with us. You are a good person who's kindness will always be remembered. Carry on brother. Always part of the Shoestring Army. God Bless
Sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing. 🙏
I Watched one of his videos and was instantly hooked. He was one in a million. I know I would enjoy seeing more videos and hearing more memories in the future from you. ❤️
More to come
I've been struggling with the same things, keep running through my head. Brother juke box , sister time mother freedom father time. It hits me hard . Confusing , how do I feel this way towards someone that I never met or shook his hand . If anyone deserves to ride the rails of heaven it's my friend ol shoestring. Your now truly free my friend, and nolonger alone , ride on your now free .........
He is free!
Matt, it's comforting to know Shoestring had a friend like you. Thanks for sharing with us, some of your time with him. He was larger than life, and will be greatly missed.
You're very honored to have known Shoestring the way you did. I would've loved to have met him. He knew a lot about a lot. RIP Shoestring
I knew I was every single second I was around him...I never took a moment of it for granted
@@rpdobbler It just breaks my heart constantly that he's gone and I sadly didn't know him in real life, but I've rode shotgun with him in spirit amongst his travels. He is someone I would've appreciated knowing.
The first time I heard Mark mention he had called Matt to pick him up & give him a ride impressed me. To learn he had friend who was available, unexpectedly, to give him a ride was so heartening! And, off & on, he mentioned you were giving him a ride; then he was invited to stay at your house a few days. Wow! How nice; what a good friend you have been. He is appreciated by his fans & and you are appreciated for being his good friend. Sorry for your loss. Thank you!
He is missed
God Bless his soul Rest in everlasting peace Shoestring you left your mark all around the country your legend lives on
Matt I sure do feel what your feeling, I met hobo in my town in Illinois and he couldn't have been a nicer guy! He got his McChickens and Expresso starbucks and his zingers all in his bucket and jumped on a grainer to head to Fulton KY! Thanks for sharing your stories and he will be sadly missed by all! He was a national treasure!
I liked his videos and listening to his wisdom. It's clear he was a noble soul and a free spirit.
Thanks Matt for sharing this.. I know how you felt about him.. I can relate to that.. After we first met it was kind of like knowing him from a long time ago. He was unique.. kind hearted person... He trusted you and that made him feel at ease being with you.
Aww...I love that Larry! He spoke so fondly of you too! Shoe was a very special person! So glad he had you as a friend too!
@@rpdobbler Anytime my friend.. 👍🏻
He spawned a rival of interest in America’s railroads & a flurry of Amtrak travel, forgoing airplanes, us included. Wouldn’t have ever had the courage without him. Ride on, Shoestring Mark, and God bless