What Lies Beneath The Streets Of New York City Is Creepy Yet Amazing
By Lea Monroe|Published February 04, 2016
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Lea Monroe
Author
Writer for Only In Your State. Scribbling about all things New York and Buffalo related while also keeping you updated on the latest travel news! Inquiries: Lmonroe@onlyinyourstate.com
Full of historical secrets and wonder, the ground you’re walking on in New York may hold more mystery to it than you would ever imagine! Hiding over ten stories beneath the streets of the city and the world-renowned Waldorf Astoria luxury hotel, lies a secret subway platform that will have everyone wishing these walls could talk.
Like something out of your favorite book, at the turn of a brass knob behind a secret door on 49th Street, awaits Track 61. This private railway owned by Metro-North is located underneath the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. While Track 61 is considered a part of Grand Central Terminal's complex, it is said to have been taken off of all train charts, it's that secret!
When the Waldorf Astoria first opened its doors, it had publicly announced the high-end private railway would be available for use to its guests, but would never be intended for public passenger use. Built over 80 years ago, it was General John J. Pershing who first used this secret railway in 1938. While this General may have been the first to use this platform, he was most certainly not the last. In 1965, artist Andy Warhol managed to pull off an underground party in Track 61!
Due to the overall secrecy surrounding Track 61, it's often hard to distinguish between rumor and truth when it comes to stories of those who have supposedly used the railway. One famous man we know for certain used this secret location? President Franklin Delano Roosevelt!
Confirmed by Secret Service logs, it was brought to light in later years that after giving a speech to campaign for his fourth term, President Roosevelt exited the city by using the private platform, Track 61. Unbeknownst to most of the world that America's 32nd President was bound to a wheelchair from Polio, Track 61 was a great tool in helping hide Roosevelt's condition.
So, how did President Roosevelt benefit from this hidden track and how exactly did this all work? Designed specially for Roosevelt's needs, the train car in all these pictures was wide enough to fit the president's 1932 Piece-Arrow limo! Once the train arrived to Track 61, the limo would exit the train by a ramp and then drive in to the elevator pictured above! The elevator is 6-feet wide and can hold up to 8,000 pounds.
At the end of the elevator ride you would wind up on 49th Street where most people would drive their vehicles into the Waldorf Astoria garage, allowing the public to never see Roosevelt getting in and out of a vehicle. Not enough attention-drawing glam for you? Roosevelt at one point didn't think so either, he apparently had his limo backed out into the Grand Ballroom of the Astoria Waldorf! Way to make an appearance!
While for the most part this well-hidden track is considered abandoned and heavily covered in filth and grime, it is also known to still be up and functioning for emergency purposes to those of importance who find themselves staying at the Waldorf Astoria.
Check out this video tour of New York City’s presidential subterranean secret:
So, did you already know about the mysterious Track 61? Have you been lucky enough to be one of the few who have seen this historic secret in person? Share with us your thoughts and pictures in the comments below and on our Facebook page, New York Only!
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