Mole People: Living in the Tunnels Beneath New York
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The first time I saw a person who lived in a train tunnel
It was probably around 2007…
Late one night, while waiting on a subway platform in New York City, I saw a man casually walk to the end of the platform and hop down onto the tracks. He was slightly disheveled, carrying a bag over his shoulder, and was definitely not an MTA employee. I watched intently as he walked off into the darkness.
This encounter sparked my curiosity, and began my search for more mole people.
The Search for Mole People
I looked online and in person for abandoned tunnels and buildings where people might have established residence. I searched the internet for info about mole people, and even bought a book called “New York Underground: The Anatomy of A City.”
I don’t remember whether it was from this book, or the internet, but eventually I learned about the Freedom Tunnel.
About The Freedom Tunnel
The Freedom tunnel is an Amtrak train tunnel on the west side of Manhattan. It runs under the west side highway, and riverside park from 72nd street to 124th st.
During the 1980s the tunnel was abandoned, and homeless people began establishing residence. Graffiti artists also used the tunnel to paint large murals, which is how it got its name. (The Freedom Tunnel is named after one of the artists.)
Over time the homeless population grew and a small shanty town was set up in the tunnel. There are several news articles, books, nightly news specials, a documentary film, and even a Jerry Springer episode documenting this time period in the tunnel.
Amtrak Started Using the Tunnel Again
Exploring the Freedom Tunnel
Back in 2007, there was still plenty of evidence that people used to live in the tunnel. There were piles of old clothes, debris, garbage and plywood structures strewn about both the North and South entrances.
Meeting Mole People
During my explorations I was fortunate to meet a few people who called the freedom tunnel home. I was pleasantly surprised that in 2007, more than a decade after Amtrak cleared everyone out, there were still people living there.
Two men I met, Carlos and Walter, invited me into their homes, and allowed me to film them.
I was astonished by the level of comfort they had each created for themselves in the tunnel. They had all the comforts of home – computers, refrigerators, etc.
Releasing My Footage
Even though I filmed the footage of the mole people in 2007, I didn’t release it until 2022. I wanted to make sure that the publicity of my footage didn’t cause any problems for the people living in the tunnel.
Over the years I heard that Carlos, Walter, and the others no longer lived there, but I didn’t have the chance to confirm it myself until last year. After visiting the tunnel again several times, I felt confident no one could live in their old area undetected.
The Freedom Tunnel Now
The area around the south entrance to the Freedom Tunnel has changed dramatically since 2007. Riverside Park is now (2022) in Phase 6 of a development plan. This has brought bike paths, dog parks, basketball courts, and a cafe all within eyesight of Carlos’ home, and the entrance he and Walter used 15 years ago.
The south entrance of the tunnel is now heavily fenced off. It is used to store construction vehicles, maintenance trains, and other equipment, and sees a lot more activity than it did in 2007.
Around 2012-ish Amtrak painted over all the old graffiti, and began clearing out the tunnel. They cleaned out much of the garbage, and removed the people who were living in the tunnel.
The Mole People Now
Walter
Walter died in 2012. His family commented on my video, and told me he was hit by a train. Carlos told me he thinks Walter laid down one night and didn’t get back up.
On a recent visit to the tunnel I stopped by his old place. There has not been a ladder there for many years, but some of his old belongings can still be seen on the landing.
Carlos
Unfortunately Carlos is living on the streets again. He moved out of the tunnel about 10 years ago, after Amtrak police pulled him out of his home, and arrested him for trespassing.
Surprisingly I ran into Carlos earlier this year, while I was heading to the tunnel to film what the entrance to his home looks like now. At first he didn’t recognize me, but eventually did – he even remembered where I used to live. I have been meeting up with him about once a month since we reconnected.
Other Videos with Carlos and Walter
Over the years, there have been numerous blog posts, and videos on youtube and vimeo about the freedom tunnel. Most of the videos are urban exploring, or graffiti videos, but some have been about mole people.
A French documentary crew which filmed in the tunnel around the same time I did, released a feature film called, “Dans Les Entrailles de New York,” in 2009. This documentary has a section which features Carlos. This Carlos segment also aired on a show called “Full Frontal Fashion” on the Sundance Channel, and gained millions of views on youtube a few years ago.
Walter was featured in a 2012 documentary on HBO called, “Redemption,” about people recycling cans in New York. He was also in a New York Times article from 1989 about the Freedom Tunnel, as well as a few online articles.
Are there still mole people?
Amtrak police does regular sweeps of the Freedom Tunnel now. They are trying to keep people form living in the tunnel, and chase out graffiti artists and urban explorers. If anyone still lives there, they are extremely well hidden.
There are undoubtedly still people living in the tunnels beneath New York. They just live in different tunnels under the city.
I’ve been in the tunnel. I’ve seen graffiti murals, but no mole people. I was in during construction of 21 west end Ave. We had some work in the tunnel. The building next door was between 59th street, and 60th street. I would go down into the parking garage and from I remember at the bottom of the ramp was a doorway that led to the Amtrak tunnels
Thanks for sharing. I think that building is about 10 blocks south of where the people were living. what year was it that you were down there?