RailRoadFan.com

Apparently Hobo Shoestring may be in a little bit of trouble. He’s been missing for a few days now.
Shoestrings real name is Mark Nichols and he’s a really cool dude I have communicated with him a few times via email. I truly hope he’s OK.
Tennessee authorities have issued a silver alert for Shoestring. A silver alert is similar to an amber alert.
Here’s an update from EastTnRailRay on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/ZyHK9b_a6Vo?si=NFYanLqY_UtrSEF2
Here’s another update from SouthernRailFan on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/ryaQ-N3eZqQ?si=SRdgrTl8Qw9NPBxu

I hope they find him in satisfactory condition or better. He is the hobo that videotapes his adventures and posts them on Youtube I think.

Update: 04/01/2024 22:17 Hobo Shoestring still has not been located.
Here’s an update from EastTnRailRay on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/gGvIgYiURt4?si=WeGPjZfCXpCamEt3

Update: 04/02/2024 17:12
Hobo Shoestring is still missing.
Search efforts are ramping up around his home in Johnson City Tennessee. I surely hope he is OK however my hopes of him being found safe are quickly fading. Here is the latest update from SouthernRailFan on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/oKLv5_ahgWk?si=sk8XcVHCyFd1pEOP
Here is a news report from channel 11 WJHL Johnson City Tennessee.
https://youtu.be/xyHi3gqE9P4?si=x0p1PzRX2dGqZZg1

Update: 04/03/2024 18:59 Mark Nichols a.k.a. Hobo Shoestring has not been located.
Here is the latest update from SouthernRailFan on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/oKLv5_ahgWk?si=qjZd9d71VxAOOSxB

https://youtu.be/4_-Ys_1LMaU?si=SdUXcdNunBr22nF3

Vonkamrath wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 05, 2024 5:56 pm

https://youtu.be/4_-Ys_1LMaU?si=SdUXcdNunBr22nF3

That link doesn't prove that the body found in Boone Lake was his.


However, it was later confirmed to be him. R.I.P. Shoestring.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTvD30avmgY

Jochs wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 06, 2024 10:40 am

Vonkamrath wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 05, 2024 5:56 pm

https://youtu.be/4_-Ys_1LMaU?si=SdUXcdNunBr22nF3

That link doesn't prove that the body found in Boone Lake was his.


However, it was later confirmed to be him. R.I.P. Shoestring.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTvD30avmgY

I know. It’s why it was only presented with a sad emoji. But we knew even if we didn’t know. The odds some other whiskey mike washed up in the lake behind his apartment was probably much less than assuming it was Shoestring.

RIP Hobo Shoestring. Whatever deamons were chasing you won't get you now.

Sadly, I think this is was the outcome many of us who had followed this thought would happen.

He will be missed.

I often wondered if he ever got caught - the risk sure is high riding the rails - my assumption is straight to jail if caught (no warnings)!

Of course, the physical risk exists as well - always being around moving equipment and railcars and such, but if he was going to do it anyway, he did post some good videos.

Anyone know what the cause of death was?

David Lang wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 09, 2024 10:29 am

He will be missed.

I often wondered if he ever got caught - the risk sure is high riding the rails - my assumption is straight to jail if caught (no warnings)!

Of course, the physical risk exists as well - always being around moving equipment and railcars and such, but if he was going to do it anyway, he did post some good videos.

Anyone know what the cause of death was?

I don't think it has been publically released, but if I had to guess it was accidental drowning. Reports were he was having some sort of mental episode / medical episode and he left through a window from his house.

Seems he had his share of demons but it doesn’t do any good to speculate.