Track 61: The Secret Presidential Siding Beneath the Waldorf-Astoria

Why It Stands Out

While many of the city's decommissioned transit hubs are mere ghosts of the past, Track 61 remains a functional piece of clandestine infrastructure. It was famously utilized by Franklin D.

Roosevelt, who sought to maintain his privacy while navigating the challenges of polio. Rumor has it that his personal armored car would be driven onto a flatbed, transported to this siding, and then hoisted directly into the hotel’s garage via a massive elevator.

This allowed the President to enter the Waldorf without ever being spotted by the press or the public. The track’s utility didn't end with the mid-century.

It has served as a strategic asset for decades, reportedly prepped as an emergency evacuation route for George W. Bush during his stays at the hotel.

While it lacks the polished marble of Grand Central Terminal upstairs, the grime-coated rails and industrial atmosphere tell a story of high-stakes security. Though it is part of the Metro-North network rather than the NYC Subway, its existence is marked only by an inconspicuous, unmarked brass door at street level—a subtle hint that the tunnels below still hold significant weight in the world of international diplomacy.

Before You Go

Track 61 is an active, industrial site and is not open for public tours or passenger boarding. It is notoriously difficult to view, as it remains a secure area under the jurisdiction of the railroad and the hotel.

Visitors looking for the specific antique train car that once sat here should note that it was relocated to the Danbury Railway Museum in early 2020. However, the exterior of the Waldorf-Astoria still features the mysterious brass entrance that leads down to this subterranean secret.