AboutJohn V. Barbieri Expertise I am a New York City trivia buff. I have written "Mr. New York`s Trivia Quiz", a 600-page fun book which offers hundreds of multiple choice questions and answers. Each of the 38 chapters cover a different aspect of NYC. The topics include: places, people, history, sports, buildings, theatre, fun facts & more.
Experience I was born and raised in NYC. My website is www.mrnewyorktrivia.com
Organizations N.Y. Trial Lawyer's Association
Publications In New York magazine.
Education/Credentials St. John's Law School, New York
Expert: John V. Barbieri Date: 3/4/2008 Subject: Grand Central Question
Question Hello John,
I have a question about Grand Central Terminal, I hope you can help me. I read somewhere that there are many old steam tunnels below the Terminal, a veritable labyrinth of pipes and ancient machinery.
What I would like to know is, where below the Terminal would those be or where might an entrance to these tunnels be found? My question is in part hypothetical, as it would be enough for me to know where such an entrance _could_ be located, ie for example are there any service facilities directly adjacent to the main concourse?
From what I understand, there is secret sublevel called M42 the location of which cannot be found on any maps - is this sublevel identical with the out-of-order tunnels?
Any information you can give me will be greatly appreciated, especially if you can describe things in a somewhat visual way, as I have never been to New York and I am in the process of writing about it.
Thank you in advance for your time!
Regards,
Kingsley
Answer Hi Kingsley,
The tunnel network under the station and terminal complex wasn't built in fits and starts but all at one go; very few of its tunnels are unused, and all are well documented. It doesn't have six levels but rather two track levels and in places passageways at one or two levels below that. I am unaware of any secret tunnels or passageways, however I am told that there is a control center hidden deep down somewhere in Grand Central or nearby. If you need to know more about Grand Central than I suggest that you rent or purchase a DVD entitled Grand Central done by National Geographic. It is extraordinary. Remember in the original Superman movie which was released in and around 1977, Lex Luthor had his hidden lair beneath the station. I hope that this helps.
