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Mark Nichols Obituary
Mark Nichols was a YouTube star who documented his life hopping freight trains on his Hobo Shoestring channel.
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(Photo: Hobo Shoestring via YouTube)
197 Entries
Adam Thompson
July 25, 2025
Your heart soon will be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Adam Thompson
July 25, 2025
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Adam Thompson
July 25, 2025
RIP hobo shoestring thanks for all the wonderful memories and I learnt a lot from you a
I promise as soon as my health is better I will ride a freight train in your honour and memory
Richard Todd Whitten
June 24, 2025
RIP Shoestring.I always enjoyed your videos
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Cleaver Family
June 14, 2025
We just found out Hobo Shoestring passed after going through our channels on YouTube. We are so sorry for your loss. We.lived watching his videos. He was so entertaining amd very educational. He will be greatly missed.
Richard walker
June 8, 2025
Enjoyed all his videos and he was a gentleman hobo
Christopher Jones
June 3, 2025
God I hope this man knew Jesus Christ and got to spend eternity in Heaven. I just started watching his videos. What I´ve learned about Mark is that he was truly living the life that he loved and he was a humble man. May God bless you.
Nick Syracuse
May 12, 2025
Will miss you Mark. Thanks for sharing your company, kindness and adventures!
Brenda-an chiu
April 2, 2025
It's now turned April 2025, mere weeks ago marked the one year time frame of shoe strings passing.
Loved to watch his many videos. A world I'd never wish to experience, yet this veteran, had it in his blood. I think he relished a kind of romance with the hobo ways. I recall once he even visited the hobo cemetery in Iowa. Not sure if his remains (ashes) ever made it there. I know there was even talk of a monument...but no one cares anymore.
Well hobo shoe string , I surely do. Wish you had come by my back door, for some leftover vitals. A chat over tea or coffee. But that never happened.
Mark has caught the west bound. A free spirit , preserved for all time, by his you tube videos.
Janet OKeeffe
March 31, 2025
I have watched Shoestring for a few years. My heart was so sad at his passing. My thoughts are with his family as his anniversary comes near. I watch still everyday. His travels + voice comfort me.
God Bless + rest in eternal peace.
We all miss you.
Larry D
March 30, 2025
Shoestring. I didn't realize you had passed. I hope you are finally at peace and the pain is gone. Thank you for your wonderful videos. They kept me entertained many nights. RIP Mark!
John Hull
March 23, 2025
We love you Mark. Thank you for all the adventures you took us on along your Earthly existence. Hope you're doing well up there friend.
Kenny Perry
March 16, 2025
Shawn seamans
March 15, 2025
We all miss you shoestring I still watch all your videos. Your friend always. Shawn seamans
Ronald Marxo aka Sonny
March 9, 2025
My Condolences thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends RIP Shoestring!!!
RE Wallace
February 22, 2025
Be blessed in his loving arms.
Brent Hughart
February 21, 2025
We always loved watching Hobo Shoestring and still do. His joy for traveling and exploring the countryside is inspiring. We loved hearing his stories and wisdom, a true philosopher, maybe he didn´t have that degree but he had a better educator, life. And he loved the rails and trains, we do too
May God bless his family and uplift them in the spirit of God´s grace for those who wander spreading love and kindness to all. That was Shoestring.
God Bless all! Brent and Barb
F. E. Street
February 20, 2025
SO SAD, to hear this news about our BELOVED "SHOESTRING", I have watched his channel for about five years, I learned to love him on his YouTube channel, just after watchin my first fifteenth minutes. Prayers to his family especially his father, that he mentioned often.
MR. SHOESTRING EVERY ONE WHO HAS MET YOU, will find a blank spot in their hearts that only you could fill. GOD BLESS ALL NUMBERS 6:25
Bonnie Arms
February 16, 2025
Hello from Indiana near Elkhart. Shoestring will always be beside us. He taught us so much about camping & safety & timing. He calms us from the daily crazy & lets us be right there with him- except not the cold weather vids :). The other night we were dying laughing as he yelled out, "Owwww", on a rough start up. Our friends walked in & said, "Oh are you watch another Shoestrap video?" That cracked us up more to laughing tears :). Shoestring Mark would have liked that!
Joseph Piermattei
February 15, 2025
I was wondering why I haven't seen any new videos in a long time and now I know why. This is so very sad, Mark was a great guy, truly one of a kind. I always loved watching his new videos and felt like I was riding the rails with him. His knowledge of railroads and routes were unsurpassed. I pray he is with God now feeling loved beyond words. Rest easy my brother...
Mason p
January 15, 2025
Just wondered what happened to him and only today found out he passed, God bless him. Shoestring is no doubt on that long west bound train.
Cyndi N.
January 12, 2025
My family and I just learned and are very sorry to hear that he passed. My son loves trains and always watched Shoestring go on his many adventures. He told me he will forever love trains because Hobo Shoestring loved them too. Thank you for sharing your life with everyone.
Bonnie Arms
January 8, 2025
The greatest thing Shoestring Mark does for even today is he never charged us for all the survival lessons! :)
Tony DeVito
January 5, 2025
You are a great man who will be dearly missed. Your free spirit down to earth personality is what drew me in to watch your video's. Enjoy the train ride to heaven and rest easy my friend. Until next time, Tony Ohio
Steve hatsman
December 8, 2024
Rip. You were an inspiration to many. Long live hobo shoestring.
Dave TWOMBLY
December 4, 2024
Came across his videos on YouTube and I rode the rails with him ever since. I wondered why I hadn't seen any videos of him and now I know why. Very saddened to hear of his death. Peaceful travels my brother!!! R.I.P. SALUTE!!!
Karen Otto
November 17, 2024
His knowledge of trains and routes is remarkable. My husband and I love to watch his videos. Such a loss of a really interesting, nice guy. May God let him ride where He is.
J.D
November 11, 2024
I just started watching Hobo Shostring and Hobo store on YouTube and after days of being watching I found out store was gone wich saddened me bc i felt a connection and then a week passes and shoestring vedios were fairly new now find out this too RIP YOUR FREE SPERIT WILL AND HAS helped so many.
Mike Bauder
November 11, 2024
Happy Veterans Day, Mark. We miss you!
Dane M
November 10, 2024
Rest In Peace kind sir. You've blessed millions with you wisdoms and brought smiles and laughs to us all.
Donald Willoughby
November 10, 2024
I just found out last night of Mark's passing. I am heartbroken. He was such a good man and kind soul.. I was always amazed at how much knowledge he had on the rail life. He could explain how a part would work and what tracks go where. He will be forever missed.. R.I.P. Mark .. I will always have your adventures on
You Tube to view
John R
October 29, 2024
I miss you Shoestring
Jimmy Beasley Sr
October 29, 2024
We miss you Shoestring
Bonnie Arms
October 28, 2024
We are so grateful JAW TOOTH is still recording trains. He & Shoestring know each other very well. Jaw Tooth even has a video where he interviewed Shoestring!! It helps our heart to see a new Jaw Tooth video only 13 hours old yesterday. Still watching Shoestrings videos every day- there are many we haven´t seen! That helps. Our friends came over last night & said, "Are you watching a Wishbone video?" Shoestring would like that
Rob
October 27, 2024
Stubbled acrossed your videos one night while working an over nite shift at the fire station been hooked since. You will always be on my mind brother shoestring wished we could have met up. Rest in peace on your train ride through heaven
Daniel Rentschler
October 20, 2024
Viterra A Grain Elevator Thunderbay ON.
Bonnie Arms
October 4, 2024
You know someone is Awesome when they not only overcome- they help you to do so also! Lovely adventures, though we worried every trip! Learned at least 5 kinds of train cars. Learned how to start a campfire & hang a tarp! Saw so much of the countryside. Rude on, Shoestring Mark, and God Bless..
Heet Raja
October 3, 2024
I hope he rests in peace.
Good content he created.
Someday I will join you up there.
Heet From India
Chris Younken
October 3, 2024
Shoestring I only ran into your videos a couple of years ago and quickly became a fan. I would look forward to every new video so much because it felt like going on an adventure with a friend. Like so many others I am so saddened that you left this world so soon. Now you can catch out across the heavens. I have a Shoestring t-shirt and look for your tags wherever I go. Peace be with you and your family.
Susan & Michael Evans
October 2, 2024
We have only recently seen any of his videos and we are so saddened by the fact that he has passed. His journey will be so much better now on the other side. We are sure that he will be teaching everyone on the otherside about rail travel as a hobo. God bless you and safe travels. There will be nobody to replace him!
Susan and Michael Evans, UK
Dan Murphy
October 1, 2024
Mark, I had been enjoying your videos for years. I was so saddened to hear that you had passed. My condolences to your family, you´ll truly be missed.
Matthew Reeves
September 26, 2024
.. learned so much about trains from his videos. He had a passion for the rails, and how the world embraced him during his travels was a testament to that passion. REST IN HEAVEN SHOESTRING
BRUCEFORRESTERWarrior.Forrester
September 19, 2024
Like thousands of others, I found Mark on YouTube one day. We are both Veterans, and soldiers once.
That in itself is a special bond.
During my time in the US Army as a MP, I served as a train guard, in South Korea. That was in the mid seventies, but in his videos, I shared, we shared, our life experiences riding the rails.
May the good Lord, welcome him on board.
No more pain, no more struggle.
He will be missed.
jesse mccarver
September 17, 2024
REST IN PEACE SHOESTRING IN THAT BIG TRAIN YARD IN THE SKY {hobo jesse} ROCK HILL SC
Robert Benkelman
September 14, 2024
Well I just discovered Shoestring when he passed. I was fascinated with Shoestring. I watched one of his videos and one could tell he was ill. Mark Shoestring Nichols is a legend and should be remembered for his journeys.
Two string
September 9, 2024
I, like many others only knew mark through his videos. He honestly came into all of our lives through our own choice, no in your face strategy to get views, I honestly believe he made those videos for himself to enjoy sometime. He loved holding that camera phone and imparting his knowledge. Make no mistake about it, he was very learned and smart as could be. Seems like he knew a little about a whole lot and if he didn´t know it then he didn´t try to BS his way through it, he was just honest. We have all heard how rough rugged and dangerous it is in Alaska. This man, mark Nichols was fearless, he let his desire for freedom and travel with love for beauty drive him! He would hop a train with a backpack and a bucket, go to Portland or Seattle and just casually hop a flight to Alaska without any plans or reservations, just that drive inside him. He stood on the side of the road letting luck and human beings goodness be his next ride or next place to spend the night. I seen one where he said if someone hadn´t came to let him stay in his little cabin he´d of froze, he went into this man´s little shop in Alaska and built a fire and slept on the floor! He let life come to him and he let us come along for the ride. I could write a book on how awesome he was but I´ll simply say thank you mark, to the man I didn´t know, thank you and I hope to see you one day my friend.
Jay
September 5, 2024
I didn't know Mark in real life, just from his videos. He had such a kind heart. It was infectious. The world needs more people like Mark.
Bradley
September 2, 2024
I have no idea what video it was in or how long ago but probably years back. You said that riding those freight cars with all that bumping and crashing and all that noise put you at peace. I know why brother i always knew its the reason i became a loco engineer. You cant hear your thoughts running wild, your mistakes, your memories all silenced while you take that journey to who knows where. Never stop riding brother maybe one day in the next life ill see you waiting to catch out. RIP brother.
Billy Smith
September 2, 2024
I enjoyed shoestring videos. I´d like to watch quantum Field theory planetary videos, and then I´d hop on over and watch shoe string ride the rails send him a few care packages here and there I sent him a Kansas City Southern stickers for his 5 gallon bucket. I sent him some other stuff, ice pack here and there for sore back, he will be missed
Thom Blair
September 1, 2024
The videos
David L Jarvis (J-Bone)
August 24, 2024
Loved his videos on YouTube. A fellow Veteran and content creator. Rest well Shoestring. You will be missed. He rides that heavenly rail!
Bonnie
August 23, 2024
He is a survivor - constantly uprooted during all his school life, death of oldest brother, death of his son Connor, quit drinking.
He spawned a rival 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.
Jimbob stroh
August 22, 2024
Started watching train videos a month ago and then I came upon your videos and never stopped watching them good bye hobo shoestring.
Angy
August 16, 2024
Lock down Covid 2020.
Hubby found on You tube , I love Trains also and his knowledge, blunt ,talk Very Life learning. Blessed to have known
A smith
August 16, 2024
2020 Covid Bam!!
Found your soul real & loved your adventures!
Every Car train I see I look for your mark.
We Are Blessed to have followed you in our Short Span on this Crazy Ride they Call Life .
Don Ferry
August 16, 2024
Watched Mark for years because he was so honest about who he was and never did try to sell people hype. You will never find a more down to earth man and even though i never got to meet him in person, i feel like he shared himself with all of us a little bit and we are all better because of it. Rest in peace and may the sounds of train wheels and train horns be with you where ever you catch out to.
Doug Carroll
August 14, 2024
Rest in peace Shoestring. You were one of a kind. On one of your rides you passed about a mile from my house. After that when I heard a train rumbling by at night I always thought of you and wondered where you were.
Bob Hunt
August 12, 2024
Mark, this old couple loved joining you on your adventures while we sat in our easy chairs eating our lunch. We looked forward to your videos every week, and felt something was missing when you didn't upload a new trip. You lived a free life while we wondered what life may have been if we had just dared. You were a kind, humble and very intelligent man. May God bless you and your family. Rest easy, our old friend.
Mike K
August 12, 2024
Rest in peace Shoestring.
I loved your videos and found them very interesting and relaxing to watch. You will be missed my friend
Gene
August 10, 2024
Your videos gave me a spark I would never have had otherwise. Riding the rails vicariously through you has brought me a great happiness and a freedom of mind.
Rest easy my friend and may you ride the eternal hopper to wherever it takes you.
Cheryl Walker
August 8, 2024
I´ve always loved trains and wanted to hop a freight. Not many women have the opportunity to do so. But you, Shoestring, through your videos, allowed me to. Thank you for taking me with you. I will miss you.
T Walt
August 8, 2024
Let that lonesome whistle blow your blues away. R.I.P. Shoestring.
Andy Lewis
July 31, 2024
I miss you Hobo Shoestring, I loved your videos and enjoyed your knowledge. Rest easy. Much prayers for you and your family.
Frank
July 30, 2024
Rest Easy Brother
John Brown
July 29, 2024
I will miss watching Hobo Shoestring. To his family, I'll pray for your broken hearts to mend quickly. Mark reminds me of a song, " Don't know what you got till its gone." I wish I would have known him in person.
Wolf Miller
July 28, 2024
Rest In Peace Hobo Shoestring.
Cassie stevens
July 28, 2024
We loved watching your videos and listening to your stories. R.i.p. you will be missed by those that loved and cared about you.
George Disbrow
July 27, 2024
Onde of the last true American Pioneers. Rest easy Mark - you've earned that Golden Ticket to ride for Eternity.
Brendan Broyles
July 25, 2024
Rest in peace Shoestring, thanks for sharing your experiences. I´ll miss your adventures, maybe I´ll start some of my own.
Stevy
July 21, 2024
We shared your adventures. We went along for the ride. In this life and the next, we will ride together. Amen brother. RIP.
Rodney Maitland
July 20, 2024
Found him on utube a couple years ago, loved him a good man learned alot. Very brave man to do what he did, but he loved the rails. Much love my friend, R.I.P mark Nichols, aka. Shoestring. Enjoy your ride on the golden rails in heaven your friend Rodney Maitland, Montrose mi.
John mulkerin
July 13, 2024
I will definitely miss your videos I wish I could have met you in real life because I think we would have got along like two peas in a pod rip friend ill always watch the old videos for memories and to the family and friends I'm sorry for your loss
Jarrod Allen
July 10, 2024
This is very sad. I recently came across his videos within the last 6 months or so, but have been addicted. I think many of us have dreams of living a free life like he did, but are too concerned about the "what ifs" to do so. At 53 years old, that man did more and traveled more than most of us will ever do, and was perfectly happy with what he had. It really makes you rethink things.
RIP
Jarrod Allen
James White
July 10, 2024
I was heartbroken to hear of Shoestring's passing. His videos helped me through a very dark period of my life, and I owe him a great deal. I was in awe of his vast knowledge of the United States railway system and his passion for life. I want to thank his family and friends for sharing him with the world. He will be missed, but his legacy will live on through his videos and the memories of the many lives he touched. Rest easy, Shoestring.
Mickey Thomas
July 7, 2024
Watching his videos
Cindy M.
July 5, 2024
Shoestring, I swear you had a bit of Chris McCandless in you. Love watching your adventures. Much love and respect. RIP
William Alford
June 29, 2024
I've loved railroads since I was a kid. Riding freight trains would forever be just a dream. Shoestring's videos let me live that dream through him. Thank you, Shoestring, for sharing your adventures and knowledge. You are missed.
William R Smith
June 27, 2024
Just thought about you Mark and realized you hadn't posted a video in a while. Checked in and discovered the very sad news. You were incredible RIP
Chef Harry Applegate
June 27, 2024
I´ll always remember hoping trains in mid 80´s and since now in years past I enjoyed watching shoestring doing it. RIP ! Chef HA
Karen Harper-solo
June 24, 2024
We will miss you very much Hobo you was very funny and we enjoyed your video's you were brave and courageous you lead your life to it's fullest rest in peace you and your video's will be missed very much. xx from a fellow youtuber
Morgan Harris
June 22, 2024
Good ol Shoestring. Beloved by many, respected by most. A storyteller, historic recounter and friend to me, though we never met face to face. Mark you and your videos took me through some of the worst years of my life, gave me a good and wholesome escape and a view of the world few will ever see. You are a memory of good through the bad times. I've added you and several items l purchased from you to my historical railroad display in my hobby shop as a legend in our time. When folks come into my shop and ask "who's Shoestring?" l take a moment to share some of the wonderful things you did with all of us. I am sorry to hear you left too soon. Stay safe and dry in a nice box car old friend. Till you come around again. Thanks for the memories-moparmann
Robert Larson
June 20, 2024
I am sorry to hear of "Shoestring's" death. He was always very interesting to watch in his many travels around the country.
Thank You for your military service to our country. Your Legacy will not be forgotten.
Bob from Willmar Minnesota
Joyce Anguiano
June 20, 2024
Oh we love watching your travels he had a heart of gold
Paul Carey
June 19, 2024
Gingermegs Here From Adelaide Australia. Thank You Mark for all The Interesting Videos on Youtube showing youre Amazing Free Spirit Of Adventure and Love Of The Railways. Going To Miss You Mate.R.I.P
Will Watts
June 18, 2024
Mark, I started following you 5 years ago...you took me on your adventures for years. The last time we were together, you held a campfire and cooked some steak. Even though we didn´t meet here.. I look forward to the day we do. Thank you Hobo Shoestring for taking us along. Much love to the "Cadillac Grainer" sailing through the skies!
Belinda Mitchell
June 14, 2024
Watching your videos gave me contentment in this crazy world. When I one day get to where I'm going I hope to meet you and you bring me on a train ride with you. Until then I will still be watching your videos. Love you.
Leroy T
June 14, 2024
Random YouTube
Ronald Conaway
June 4, 2024
Hope you ridding rail in the great beyond ShoeString appreciate everything you shared you are one of my favorites channels on YouTube. Everytime I see a train track I can´t help but wonder where ShoeString might be .
Josh Jeffries
June 2, 2024
I've watched his videos for a few years now sure going to miss seeing new episodes
Matthew Barber
May 30, 2024
Mark will be sorely missed by his community, friends and family.
Shoesteint found solace and renewed purpose with his lifestyle and YouTube after difficult times in his life. His adventures were recorded in posterity and will remain legendary! I believe his life to have been more rewarding and something many others with a different way of life can only dream about.
May the gates of this life´sjourney close but open up a new, and the Caddilcs be cosy in the next adventure story of your renewal! Rest easy Mark!
Jeff Grogan
May 27, 2024
Thank shoestring for the joy and friendship you gave to all of us who followed your travels..my prayers to your family...Jeff Grogan
Luke
May 24, 2024
You will be missed Shoestring.
Even though we never met, I sure feel like I knew you.
I sit by the tracks everyday, and think about that freedom the rails provide.
The details of your personal struggles hit home with me and I thank you for sharing them.
RIP
JR Polick
May 21, 2024
I've been watching Shoestring for a while. I enjoy his stories on the trains and how he survives being a hobo. He made his stories so interesting.
Neil Killmore
May 21, 2024
He lived an adventure that many of us secretly wished we could live. You will be missed Hobo Shoestring.
Manuel
May 21, 2024
Along the tracks, the wandering soul of hobos,
Their lives, a poem in constant motion.
Beneath the sky, their roof, the earth their home,
Their fate, a road forever etched.
Their bags slung over shoulders, filled with dreams,
Their steps, the rhythm of an intoxicating melody.
Hobos, these poets of America,
Their stories, an indelible legacy etched.
Wayne Miller
May 20, 2024
I came across Mark on Youtube and become an instant follower, of what became an enjoyable pastime of watching Marks adventures. Mark was a likeable character presenting his life story and railroading adventures. One could even sometimes envy his lifestyle of freedom, and a wealth of online friends. However, there was also a somewhat sad side of Marks life, living a life alone with just basic necessities to keep him going. Mark's stories were very entertaining and above all, his knowledge of the railroad system network and train movements was incredible. Mark was a wealth of information when it came to railroads, hi passion, his way of life. He will surely be missed.
Viktor scham
May 16, 2024
Shoestring is going to be missed barrier dearly. I enjoyed all the videos he did.
timothy combs
May 15, 2024
he was catching a ride on the rail. i will always missed you buddy we never met but the stories you told were amazing thank you hobo shoestring
Gregory mullinax
May 14, 2024
My deepest condolences for marks family I really enjoyed watching his YouTube channel he and I shared the same age and I could definitely relate to a lot of things he said my prayers Go out to all of his friends and family
Daryl williams
May 14, 2024
I always wanted to do what Mark did but could not. So I get real enjoyment out of his channel. He will be missed alot.
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