Into The Abandoned City Hall Station (Part 1)

[@plazasta]

really ironic how a station that's officially abandoned (although they probably do some maintenance work for the museum tours) looks to be in a better shape than active stations such as Chambers St and Bowery

[@RunningOnFull]

Couldn't agree more!

[@omarcamara1321]

@@RunningOnFull Those stations are absolutely disgusting

[@RunningOnFull]

@@omarcamara1321 well, Chambers St is being renovated, so it may end up looking prettier

[@jjlwis]

WOW that "Behind the Scenes" Portion of the tour was AWESOME! Thank you!!

[@matthewvincent8971]

Here's an idea. Make the old city hall station THE transit musiem. Make it open to the public from topside, and gate off the track so you can watch the trains go by. Charge admission and preserve this piece of history.

[@RunningOnFull]

This could be the second branch of the Museum!

[@iamastrid_d]

Horrible idea.

[@babatunde6080]

Оортт

[@noaoah3662]

This was considered but ultimately didn't happen because the NYPD thought that an open/public location directly under the NYC city hall would be a security risk so the NY Transit Museum ended up being in the Court Street station instead

[@JoshDone]

I've been there serval times - the first when it was not cleaned up and we were forced to step over debris. Later, I went back and it had been cleaned up, the plaques put back in place from the Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall station and both times it was magnificent.

[@atiboyful]

Perhaps a paranoid City Hall Government in NYC? They need to reopen this magnificent NYC terminal

[@josefstalin9068]

atiboyful They can't for multiple reasons: Platform probably isn't long enough. Gap between the train and platform is too big on the curve for safe use. The ear rape screeching. The closed entrance.

[@vanpilatus7847]

+Josef Stalin Uhhh

[@gtb81.]

Josef Stalin entrance isn't completely closed, just made inaccessible

[@PRL2204]

They could install gap fillers.

[@RetroGamerr1991]

Not for the sharp angle the train has to make to go around the loop. In some sections it would be touching the train and in others it would be almost a foot away.

[@20101426]

did anyone here comes from Buzzfeed ?

[@minicacaedits7714]

Wtf how do you know?

[@25gwolfable]

It's about time they finally open up to the public such beauty should be seen by all

[@jhon2891]

I wonder who replaces all of those light bulbs? I would think it would be hard to replace the ones on the platform since those ones hang halfway over the rails. Do they stay on 24/7?

[@RunningOnFull]

The ones on the platform are turned off, but the ones inside the mezzanine stay on. All of them are very dim since this video was shot

[@michaeljarosz4062]

When I arrived in NYC, most of the subway stations were still lit by incandescent bulbs like you see in City Hall station. Eventually they were replaced with much more efficient fluorescent lighting. The incandescent lamps were replaced by transit authority maintenance staff. What is really interesting about those lamps however is that were custom manufactured just for the transit authority. The had reverse screwing, so that if you stole one, it wouldn't work anywhere else! I do not recall any problem with missing lamps. And even if one did burn out, there were so many others that one alone would not be missed.

[@davidfillmann626]

Nah all the lights run 24/7 me and my friends explored the station at 2:00 am by running down the tracks. It's amusing to me how they have to put that ramp up to the side of the train so these fragile little tourists won't fall stepping out, while urban explorers such as me dash down the live tracks from Fulton street, climbing over the third rail etc risking life and limb to access the station on our own terms.

[@RunningOnFull]

Well, for the City Hall Loop, you can always take the tour offered by the NY Transit Museum, but first you have to become a member of that museum, and that costs 30 dollars, more or less. If you're lucky, on one of those tours, you can ask one of the transit employees if they could show you around the south end and side local platforms (that's what I did).

[@ssarryo]

Haha! I was kinda expecting a river of pink psychomagnotheric slime going through the tracks! But the river of slime is located on the New York Pneumatic Railroad below First Avenue! Lol.

[@devoncu723]

I love that guy from the beginning of the video he is always at the 125th station!

[@dorothysewing9997]

I think that if the MTA could devise a way to have an extendable platform from the subway cars, they could then use the old City Hall station again. It would also give them a reason to restore the stained glass windows.

[@iankeegan5047]

Is this where the teenage mutant ninja turtles live??!!??!! Looks just like it!!

[@Engineer9736]

They live in the sewer, not in metro tunnels

[@sergeanthunter8784]

Yea it looks like the new home they got when they left the sewers and had to live in the train.

[@sergeanthunter8784]

Even the part where the turtle is hiding looking up to the street from the underground train station looks like the one on this video

[@Crows4Hoes]

They filmed tmnt 2 there apparently

[@xtrajunkful]

Can't wait to go. 1 week from tomorrow. Wuhu!!

[@ggthewhale]

How'd it go

[@winebox]

These old structures are like palaces.

[@PointyTailofSatan]

FYI: the reason the station can't be used is simple. The curve of the platform results in large gaps between the trains and the edge of the platform. There simply is no easy way to fix this.

[@GrnArrow092]

This station was used in a few scenes in TMNT 2 back in 1991. It's a shame they had to abandon it back in the 40's because of the steep curve and no way to ease the radius of the curve. I also thought there would be more to the station than just a stairway and the platform.

[@sydneyjohnston2193]

Did the door at the top of the stairs have sunlight coming through it? Was that an old access point?

[@alvarofranco7068]

Yes to both questions

[@scottish785]

HA HA I use to live in Harlem and that guy right at the beginning playing the guitar and little foot instrument set up I think I remember seeing him playing at the 125th street station back when we lived there.

[@jesussavesnyc]

This is a pretty interesting video..I loved it

[@vsbaretummysugastonguetech1540]

start to a great horror movie

[@HesJustSteven]

8:13 looks so much like 14th Street-Union Square just an abandoned version of it, if only those moving platforms could work again

[@Christophersanchez1326]

now this was a good video to see. love this like of stuff.

[@RunningOnFull]

Well, since the tour is open to members of the Transit Museum only, I signed up to become a member for 60 dollars (lowest price), and trip itself cost 30 dollars

[@jimkoval8546]

Is that skylight over the stairwell accessible from above ground and where is it?

[@RunningOnFull]

It is not accessible from above ground

[@cecils6687]

I was/am a Art & History Major. Are there Class or Tours that can be paid to see this Historical Feature? THX.

[@RunningOnFull]

Yes, the NY Transit Museum hosts tours to this station, but you have to become a member first

[@cecils6687]

Thanks!!

[@johnfish7307]

imagine a BMT/IND train passing this station (4 doors) mainly a R32! because they are very screechy! WOW

[@SparenofIria]

You realize that if they could make it to the station, they would collide with and destroy parts of the platform, right?

[@erikvision4920]

I go here from time to time, not on a tour though (waste of money plus you are with a huge crowd of people and are given instructions)

[@MK-iw8ss]

erik vision how do you enter?

[@pepperastnee2007]

jump

[@yusufzulfi]

Looks like a Harry Potter ride at Universal Studios

[@supered227]

8:51 There's a lovely garbage dump that has a unigue rule that says no garbage alowed.

[@RunningOnFull]

Otherwise, the side local platforms are behind locked doors, I'm afraid; it's possible to sneak onto the south end platforms, but I would advise you to do it late at night. Unfortunately, there is no way to access the Chambers Street abandoned platform without a key, so I only photographed it from the functioning platforms.

[@chud1able]

excellent. Charlie Muller Jr. :)....

[@jwyuto_ian]

2:17 wow that sound tho

[@MillerPC]

Thats alstom for you

[@nicholashauser6226]

It doesn't seem to be abandon if there are trains going through it all the time

[@frederiquelorimier8286]

that video reminds of some Pendergast novels.

[@RunningOnFull]

Technically, that portion of the video was showing the abandoned express platform at Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall; however, it didn't stink while I was there

[@MylesTheSmokerThebeast77_Epic]

I can smell the black mold from here

[@jcjlewis7086]

There are gaps that large at my local train station

[@arielgonzalez5296]

The MTA employee should've put the key away to his pocket so he won't drop it

[@m301]

It isn't used for passenger service because of the curve

[@tikifire]

Very cool!

[@kstrauss100]

Secrets EVERYWHERE. Ever wonder why?

[@DevonMopiedmont1143]

Question for New York City why you no use dis station? Station dis beautiful on tour should be used plus wine cellar. Why you no use dis? Great video I walked over that grate and had no Idea what beautiful things were under it.

[@RunningOnFull]

Devon Mo Be sure to watch my second video about the station!

[@weathermanpablo]

Here's your answer to your question in the 1940s there was a "boom" in ridership leading into longer rail cars and this city hall station placed on a very sharp curve would have needed a very pricy renovation to fit the longer cars but the city decided against it and closed it but then ridership took a dip in the 90-2000 so shorter cars came in and so far they haven't changed the length enabling some trains into the station but to bring this station up to code and still most likely extend it to fit current day trains they won't open it to public but they can open it to private tours so hopefully that answers your question

[@iamastrid_d]

They cant use it due to a gap in the middle of the train and the platform and mta uses 10 car trains and not 5 car trains anymore.

[@marioriospinot]

Nice.

[@HVACSoldier]

Wow, there is a tour of the area?

[@RunningOnFull]

Yes, occasionally. You have to be a Transit Museum member to get access

[@HVACSoldier]

RunningOnFull How does one become a member?

[@RunningOnFull]

Just by going to the Transit Museum website

[@cornholio9186]

Buzzfeed brought me here

[@where.is.m]

Can we just go there without a tour? is there a way we can get there?

[@RunningOnFull]

Yep, just walk on the tracks in the dead of night wearing dark clothing, hoping that a train doesn't come lol

[@HesJustSteven]

And hope you don't get arrested lol

[@where.is.m]

Lol damn I'd love to go though!

[@HesJustSteven]

Me too, I've been living in New York City for over 16 years and I have not even been to City Hall station

[@johnfish7307]

yep but you have plenty of chance to return as grilled chicken: you will walk next to 700volts (the dangerous 3rd rail)

[@arielgonzalez5296]

This is like ghost town subway station way

[@fernando_225]

What no street exit what a shame maybe on Brooklyn bridge

[@RunningOnFull]

There was a street exit, but it was removed when the station was abandoned

[@rimidas3690]

Where is the station in order to get to the city hall tour?

[@alvarofranco7068]

Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall

[@rimidas3690]

+Álvaro Franco Why do they only use the 6 train?

[@RunningOnFull]

The 6 is the only line that was designated for the station

[@tfk10001]

RunningOnFull god dam you know a lot about this station

[@RunningOnFull]

It's only information that I picked up from the tour guides and my own research

[@jazflores6714]

Wow

[@jazflores6714]

You can go there still?

[@RunningOnFull]

Yes, the museum regularly hosts tours

[@tatumx2669]

¿Where is splinter & ninja turttles?

[@swarlock]

I IMPRESSIVE!!!

[@Channel51542]

that curve

[@lgp1987]

And I thought all the really good dungeons were in Europe

[@fernando_225]

Where is the entrance to City Hall station

[@RunningOnFull]

The only entrance is through the tunnels

[@gtb81.]

The original entrance is inaccessible to the public

[@sc0tte1-416]

Do they ever clean the tracks and stations in NYC?

[@RunningOnFull]

There's only so much that can be done for old stations..

[@DevonMopiedmont1143]

RunningOnFull or any tracks at a station for that matter I go to Utica station when I am in New York for the summer seeing family and all you can smell is the urine and dead rats that go to die there I actually saw one get hit one time they are so big but if they were out in the elements there is alot more treatment necessary to make them last longer all you do down there is pre make the track and replace done.

[@RunningOnFull]

And yet they keep raising the fare...

[@alvarofranco7068]

Become a member of the NY Transit Museum

[@RunningOnFull]

Check out Part 2

[@alliwantisfood6682]

How did yall get in??

[@RunningOnFull]

The video clearly shows that the train stopped at the platform for the tour

[@alliwantisfood6682]

RunningOnFull ok.........

[@RunningOnFull]

You're welcome :)

[@RunningOnFull]

You're welcome!

[@joshuaupdegrove8059]

Whey did they close it down

[@fa1509]

The gap between the train and platform and there are more cars for one whole train which is hard for the train to pass the curve

[@Scp-st6cq]

In New York

[@ГрэгТунусов]

зачем закрыли?

[@MusicCentralDubstep]

Y'all got tickets instead of sneaking in? Lame.

[@RunningOnFull]

Please, by all means, show us your high-quality video of sneaking in

[@MusicCentralDubstep]

@@RunningOnFull bruh I'm kidding

[@ashathomas115]

Buzz feed wya?