Best ride to Ohio!

I’m 71 years old and retired. My body is pretty much used up & I really can’t do much of anything physically anymore. When I was in my late teens & 20s I rode trains and hitchhiked a whole bunch and enjoyed it immensely. Now that I’m too old to do anything else I can do it all again with Shoestring. He knows a helluva lot more about railroads than I ever did. I do enjoy these videos a lot. It gets my mind out of this chair.

I'm an engineer on the BSF railway. Honestly, I have no issues with people hitching a ride, and I'll never turn anyone in or report them as long as they're safe, non-threatening, and don't make a mess of the cab, if they happen to stow on a trailing unit or DP. BUTTTTTTTT PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE if you happen to be hiding in a car, and ESPECIALLY inside a unit, please make some noise to let us know you are there. We don't expect to see anyone inside a trailing unit or DP at 2 AM when we might walk through to "sign cards" or remove hand brakes. I've practically had a heart attack when surprised by HOBO/Trespasser walking through cabs. We just don't expect it and it will have you jump out of your skull from being so surprised and caught off guard. Plus some of us "carry" for our own protection and accidents could "happen" if we're startled and feel threatened instantly. Recently, I was "deadheading" on the 2nd unit on a train. We were running for over 90 minutes when I went down to use the toilet. I opened the door and there was a guy hiding in there. Can you imagine how freaked out I was ??? I ended having the guy come out, and once I realized he wasn't a threat, I told him to ride in the other seat. He told me he was "down on his luck and needed to get back to (location) for a funeral". I BS'd with him for several hours, lent him a vest to climb off (so he wouldn't look out of place), and gave him a ride to a hotel he wanted to stay at. 90% of us out here won't turn you in. But PLEASE try to make your presence known. You may actually save an old head a heart attack and loss of hard earned "railroad retirement". Be safe !!!!!

R.I.P SHOESTRING.. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE GREAT VIDEOS AND ADVENTURES YOU ALLOWED US TO GO WITH YOU ON.. REST EASY MY BROTHER

Most reliable public transport in Ohio

This guy is well versed in the cutting edge of hobo technology.

Mark has caught the eastbound into eternity. We Appreciate you Hobo Shoestring

Rest in Paradise, brother. He went West bound & never looked back.

Always in our hearts. Shoestring. Cinti kid

“There’s always another train” is good advice about a lot of life’s issues

When I was a kid, I lay in bed and hear the trains come by. I was born physically handicap. My left arm and leg is weak, so I couldnt jump on a train. But it was fun to think about. Now I get to see it for real. Thanks💜

So sad knowing he’s missing. There have been searches going on here in Johnson City TN for days. Today a body was found in a local lake by a fisherman. I really hope it’s not you Shoestring. It’s so sad just knowing they found a body at all. 😢 Looks like you had some amazing adventures man! Looks like you came just about a half mile from my house more than once. I hear the train often and think of you. What a way to live! Had to be so nice being so free and seeing so much of this beautiful country. Still praying for you sir.

My Grandfather who raised me by the way was a Train Engineer for 26 years for Santa Fe... He used to slow the train down so hobo's could get onboard he would also talk to the conducter in the caboose and tell him to look the other way and just let the Hobo get onboard he would even have his fireman walk back to the car that the hobo just got in and give blankets and a Big Grocery bag or two full of Fruit and other food items and a small amount of cash. He worked in the train yards building trains and he also drove a Train over the open road Freight Trains.... anyways when i watch this I feel close to him he died in 1974 he was 62 years old . I was 14 years old then and now I'm 62 years old RIP Alfonso Johnson.

Hobo if you see this I want you to know I enjoy watching you and your amazing videos even though I’m 75 I still wanna see you do these fun trips and I wish I could join you but I’m worn out after living on a farm all my life and still working on it. I know I may have only one leg due to my service in Vietnam but you always cheer me up and remember we ❤ you thx for reading this.

Rest in peace old friend. I'll miss you and your adventures

Godspeed Mr. Nichols, Shoestring we Thank you for all you have giving, And all you Gave..✌

That was my life as a young man with little money. I kept trying to live a "normal" life, but kept going back to the life of a drifter. I think it chose me more than I chose it. Then I got married in my 40s, and left the drifter life behind. A deep, heartfelt thank-you to everybody who treated this drifter kindly during his travels, and there were many. I never did have any trouble with the police. If you're a kind soul who's respectful of people, chances are you'll get it back, even if you're a hobo like I was. Not saying everybody was good to me, but when is that ever the case for anybody no matter how good you are and no matter how much of a pillar of society you are.

Grew up on the farm born in 1946. Times were still influenced by the Great Depression/WWII. Hobos would stop by once and a while. They would stand in the yard at a distance with their hat in their hands. They would asked my mom for something to eat. They made my mom nervous but she never turned them away. She would make them a sandwich or bowl of homemade soup. They go a beer to drink or lemon aide. You could tell these men were hungry. Some neighbors would turn them away and send them over to my mom. We were a little better off them our neighbors but not by much. My mom & Grandma would can chicken, sausage make lard bake bread. You name it they made it including cloths and quilts. I ran barefooted all summer and in the fall new shoes for school. My teachers were wives of farmers. Did not have to lock your home or your car. Evil was not a way of life in the 50’s🤗🇺🇸

Rip Mark AKA Hobo Shoestring you are a wealth of knowledge just started watching your videos ride the rails in the sky..

I’m an engineer for a class 1. This guy knows quite a bit about how railroading works. He’s probably worked there before. 😊

Seeing the country as it really is, fascinating and better than a documentary.