BIG NEWS! WE ARE BACK! SO "SMASH THAT BELL" 👍 In the meantime, we are happy to address any questions about the channel in the comment section of this video before the video launch. We are excited to announce the return of IT’S HISTORY, with a special episode premiering later this week about the forgotten Chicago tunnel system. Moving forward, a particular emphasis will be placed on the idea that urban decay exposes the remains of bygone eras and faded societies. In discovering the stories of abandoned monuments of the past, we can experience the most tangible form of time. Upcoming episodes will be hosted by Ryan Socash of the channel ​Kult America , who some viewers may recall from the URBEX adventure he organised to Ukraine with Indy Neidell and ​The Great War​. Socash has also been a long time producer of IT’S HISTORY and associate of channel founder, (Spartacus Olsson / TimeGhost History​ ). ➡️ Stay tuned and please consider supporting us at Patreon! www.patreon.com/blastfromthepast

@richiehoyt8487

3 жыл бұрын

I'm a grown-up, I do not 'smash' bells! Still, I suppose it's to your credit that unlike a number of these "15 more examples of '5h1t you will not believe' " - type channels, you don't use "Winning the 'Lotery' [sic] " as an inducement to subscribe; or threaten me with lovingly, almost fetishistically detailed pictures of the centipede that will "Crawl on my face" if I should fail to do so! It is thus fervently to be hoped that all the folks at IT'S HISTORY continue to 🦁 "STAY CLASSY!!" 🦅

@lordsamich755

3 жыл бұрын

It's a real shame the tunnels weren't just a little larger. That way they might have survived containerization. In which case I could imagine them in full swing today, with fully automated container drop-offs. Imagine operating a department store that could easily receive entire shipments of furniture right into the heart of the city.

@studiodevelopers2467

3 жыл бұрын

@@lordsamich755 Underground. Yeah right. Lol The containers /small shipments , are done from above. Electrical lines yes, can be done from below. Water systems and sewer, yes can be done below.

@studiodevelopers2467

3 жыл бұрын

@@richiehoyt8487 Smash that bell baby ! Lol that could have different meanings lol

@lordsamich755

3 жыл бұрын

@@studiodevelopers2467 "The containers /small shipments , are done from above." _Because there is no functioning rail system that delivers to each building._ "Electrical lines yes, can be done from below. Water systems and sewer, yes can be done below." _If you watched the video freight logistics can and were done from below._ _Truck routes only took over for small shipments due to issues with rail gauge / transshipment costs. The small tunnels and use of narrow gauge railway is a similar story._

I actually watched this video on my tv but I had to come to the comment section on my phone to give you guys respect for accurately describing these tunnels I have frequently had to go into myself. I work in telecommunications engineering and I have a confined space entry certificate that I have to renew every 2 years, most specifically so that I can enter these tunnels at a moments notice. I learned quite a few things in this video that I didn’t know and I trust it’s accurate because the parts I do know were spot on! Not to mention those maps shown in this video, those are the only maps we have to help navigate these tunnels. We’ve made copies of our own that indicate known and discovered dead ends and certain obstacles. One thing I find interesting is the bulkhead doors you have to open and close to cross the river. You have to check the little valve just below the door to assure no water is in the corridor, then you open the door, a red light turns on above the door which also alerts the entry monitor standing by at City Hall. You crawl through, then close and lock the door back behind you. Then you proceed to walk through an isolated corridor underneath the river to another bulkhead door where you do the same thing. This section is typically a bit flooded too, usually up to around the knees or so. In fact, there are a lot of tunnel sections with high standing water which is why we must enter with waders on… I’ve waded water as high as my stomach. Oh and the majority of it is dark… can’t see your hand in front of you DARK. While some parts are well lit with lights provided by ComEd. I once had to climb a 4 and a half foot wall and shimmy between the wall and a pipe to get to the other side. The tunnel is a very interesting place… and communications are non existent so it’s important you travel with at least one other person and the monitor needs to know where you plan to go, what route you will take, and about how long you intend to be down there just in case a rescue is needed. My coworker got banned from ever entering again because he abandoned the construction crew he was with and exited the tunnel alone to use the washroom.

@7viewerlogic670

Жыл бұрын

Cool story!

@audioidkid

Жыл бұрын

I worked in fiber too. What you described is super accurate.

@Soulseeologia

Жыл бұрын

Can you please tell us another chicago tunnel story ?!?❤

@coyotebones1131

Жыл бұрын

Hey I’m with cwa in Cali and I’ve been in some weird places in the beach cities area and inland. Lots of spaces off limits to the public, and even some the employees are ignorant of. Sometimes I’ve discovered them together with random security guards or managers trying to find a terminal. Great story!

@RandomUser2401

Жыл бұрын

yeah some up to date footage from the tunnels really would've helped the video.

In the mid 80 I was a concrete cutter and had access to the the tunnels it was amazing how thick the concrete was That was a great job I got to see a lot of things around Chicago but now I’m a old man with great memories of the things I got to see

@Peppersfirst

Жыл бұрын

There's a theory that Chicago was actually Chilaga of the much older maps so basically it would be much older than we're told. Make the 1893 Chicago worlds fair way more interesting.

@JohnDoe-bp4tc

Жыл бұрын

Damn I wish you was my grandpa so u could tell me stories 😊

@HunterB738

6 ай бұрын

It was paper thin in some spots. Quality control wasn’t there.

@ickypowwow6635

5 ай бұрын

Share these stories! Where can i still access the tunnels? Im 25 and want to make these stories and places live on

In the early 1980's I worked for a communications company, located in the Marshall Field Annex Building, south, across the street for the Main Store. One of my projects was to construct a a huge battery backup for a new piece of equipment. Because of the weight of the batteries and the age of the building, they had to be installed in the third basement of the building. This was the level where the subject of the film, the old tunnels. Of course I was much younger back then and just had to explore them. It was quite impressive. They were laid out under all the main streets and all the intersections were marked accordingly.

@Seekyourtruth777

2 жыл бұрын

@@offhandacoustic I’m starting to jump down the Tartaria 🐇 hole 🕳 the last year , I’m having a hard time realizing that it’s possible there is something HUGE they are hiding from us .

@lisa.user-xm7kz2tb6x

2 жыл бұрын

🙂 Wayne, you're preserving history just by commenting, thank you! Everything counts. ✌️

@sewcraftylion

2 жыл бұрын

@@offhandacoustic Do you live in the CIty depending on age, the tunnels are no secret.

@bigdadddyd123

2 жыл бұрын

@@offhandacoustic 😂😂😂

@CarnevalOne

2 жыл бұрын

@@offhandacoustic Even though these tunnels are well-documented?

I was very lucky to have been granted access about 10 years ago. I worked on installing some conduit for fiber between buildings. Got to explore the tunnels with and engineer who spent years in the tunnel system. I have tons of great photos and even found some train cars submerged under water. We were told everything was removed after the flood when they allowed the scrappers down in the tunnels to clean them out, however there were areas they never got to. We went through a long process to get access including homeland security. I’m so glad I had the chance to explore

This channel is like Hayley's comet, it comes back every 86 years

@abbeyjane1306

3 жыл бұрын

10 years too many...for Halley's comet that is

@drinkingpoolwater

3 жыл бұрын

“it’s been 84 years” old lady in titanic

@jamesguralski5156

3 жыл бұрын

Comet Bob was way better

@shadowblood95

3 жыл бұрын

Algorithm doesn't have much rhythm does it.

It is mind boggling to me that a city could simply throw away or abandon such a monumentally useful, widespread piece of infrastructure and relegate it to holding fiber optic lines here and there. I can't think of any city that wouldn't kill to inherit something this incredible.

@alexanderwestfield4073

2 жыл бұрын

Everyone too busy gang-bangin' to put a couple of trains down there.

@tominnis8353

2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic research and presentation. Thank you. What a crying shame this was disbanded.

@joseesparza2364

2 жыл бұрын

That's Illinois for ya.

@skeletorrocks2452

Жыл бұрын

You're spot on. If they ever truly want to build cities that you don't need a car in. Underground freight railways like this are essential. And I can tell you as an OTR truck driver. There's nothing I would like more than not having to deal with a big city like the greater Chicago land area. Everything pretty much unloaded out in the sticks and a city where you can pretty much walk to everything you need.

@jari2018

Жыл бұрын

if one can make money from 1 million cars but not from a single railroad owner -so ´guess again why

My dad was a plumber that helped build many of the high rises in Chicago. He told me about these tunnels many years ago. His knowledge of old Chicago was amazing. My grandfather was a plumber who helped build the Merchandise Mart.

@Thelategreatjohnnybratton

2 жыл бұрын

@corey Babcock rich??? How so?? My dad was a tradesman. A worker.

If they ever make a 3D fallout in Chicago, I hope they feature these tunnels.

@ScoobyShotU

3 жыл бұрын

How could they? We have no original maps less alone maps from the miners who dug it so we honestly have no idea what's below us look into Waxahachie tx they about put in a super collider like Sweden but they basically kept it under wraps to the locals once everyone found out no one wanted the chance for a black hole lol.

@VetaPhoenix

2 жыл бұрын

Even regular fallout in Chicago would be awesome

@SUBARCTICPSYCHO

2 жыл бұрын

Chicago is already in the post war Fallout timeline.

@GTSN38

2 жыл бұрын

I hope they make Fallout: Chicago, that would so awesome

@BackTheNerd

2 жыл бұрын

@@SUBARCTICPSYCHO It's an occasionally mentioned city in the modern games, and the only appearance it did make directly was in Brotherhood of Steel, which didn't even have the city itself, just a bunker. So I'd say that there's more than enough room for Chicago in Fallout ;)

I remember when Great Lakes Dock and Dredge poked a hole in one of those tunnels and flooded the whole damn system, baements flooded, transformers shorted out, a real mess.

@maf421

3 жыл бұрын

I was traveling in the burbs of Chicago that day. Epic!

@edf3725

3 жыл бұрын

That was Opening Day for the Chicago White Sox when that occured.

@lawrencebraun7616

3 жыл бұрын

Was this about 20 years ago? Thay had fish swimming in the basement of the John Hancock

@SpartanONegative

3 жыл бұрын

Accident my butt 🤣 they flooded them on purpose. Just like the underground cities in Minnesota that are 100,000 years old. They were absolutely fine until the 1940s and then they locked down the tunnels leading to the labyrinth city under Minnesota. Makes perfect sense. We can hide and be safe under there. And the government can't have that now can they

@SUBARCTICPSYCHO

2 жыл бұрын

We do a little trolling

In 1918 my grandmother was 18. Her first job was to be posted in a tall tower of the Chicago rail yard and record the number of every railcar that passed through.

@carlsaganlives5112

3 жыл бұрын

Modern day 'trainspotters' stand in awe. She probably didn't think it was so great at 20¢ an hour though, lol.

@Right-Is-Right

2 жыл бұрын

Women have always had the easy and safe jobs.

@ptaylor4923

2 жыл бұрын

@@Right-Is-Right 🙄 I'd say maybe you'll outgrow it, but guys like you rarely do.

@taylorpennington8126

2 ай бұрын

@@ptaylor4923based on username and profile I doubt it identity politics is crazy

Excellent video, and I should know. I have walked and inspected every inch of the Chicago Freight and Trolley Tunnel System (CFTTS). I have walked literally hundreds of miles in the CFTTS, while almost always wearing steel-toed hip waders (some of the tunnels are partially or completely flooded). From about 2006 to about 2010 I worked as an engineering consultant for the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT). The CFTTS is filled with fiber optic cable, concrete encased high voltage power lines, and steam pipes. I imagine this tunnel system will be maintained for many years to come, because it is very useful in the Chicago Loop for the aforementioned utilities. I no longer live and work in Chicago, but I have a ton of interesting and fond memories of this tunnel system.

@function0077

2 жыл бұрын

​@@VanceT45 I recommend that you do not attempt to enter this tunnel system. Every entrance point, and some areas within the system, are continuously monitored because the system contains sensitive infrastructure. If you were caught trying to do this you would probably be charged with some significant crimes.

@MeoCulpa

2 жыл бұрын

@@VanceT45 16:30 should tell you everything!

seems to me like this would be a good thing to get running again as getting delivery trucks into city centres gets harder every year

@AlexCab_49

3 жыл бұрын

But I doubt those tiny tunnels can handle modern day freight

@timothykeith1367

3 жыл бұрын

The tunnel system could be automated today.

@danieltindall1998

2 жыл бұрын

There is a usable delivery tunnel under a lot of downtown Chicago. I've delivered down there. Probably not 40 ft. Down but you have to wonder about structural integrity. A tunnel on top of a tunnel.

@spaghettigod43

2 жыл бұрын

@@AlexCab_49 tiny tunnels we rent out to Amazon? I can see it being a niche.

They'd be so interesting to explore!

@happydays8171

3 жыл бұрын

They'd be dark.

@Bitterstone3849

3 жыл бұрын

Interesting to explore. Until you run into beetlejuice. In her living room.

@Ken-mn2vy

3 жыл бұрын

What was flooded is now filled with concrete, when the hole was punched in to the tunnels while doing work in the Chicago river, the quickest way to plug the tunnel was pump concrete into it.

@gofastandwynn

3 жыл бұрын

@Kabuki Kitsune not true, I was just down in them last February. They are used by Com Ed and other companies now.

@martymcscarty

2 жыл бұрын

@@gofastandwynn how’d you get down there? I love to go urban exploring and I’ve heard so much about this

The old Chicago tunnels played a prominent part in the 1997 science fiction horror film "The Relic". The idea of a terrifying monster hiding somewhere in that maze of dark tunnels was a good one. Some scenes of flashlights in those tunnels reminded me of that B movie. Really interesting history.

@function0077

2 жыл бұрын

I have seen "The Relic" (a fun and cheesy horror movie) and I have inspected the freight tunnels adjacent to the Field Museum. The freight tunnels can be a little spooky, so I didn't like thinking about horror movies when I was working in them.

@craftpaint1644

2 жыл бұрын

Sounds like it's based off the Minotaur and the maze.

@royreynolds108

Жыл бұрын

@@function0077 The tunnel at the Field Museum is or was 12 feet instead of 10 feet like the rest of the system.

Being from Chicago, I’m hyped for this episode

@KultAmerica

3 жыл бұрын

Hello Tom, its Ryan here (new channel host) and I thought I'd mention that I'm also originally from Chicago so this topic was of personal interest to me. In the event that people like it. Especially people from Chicago, I have other videos in mind such as searching for Chicago's last yellow street sign, The lost street car network and the reversal of the Chicago river! Make sure you share this video with everyone from our home town!

@HebaruSan

3 жыл бұрын

@@KultAmerica I hope this video mentions the Deep Tunnel Project in passing (commenting before watching, shame on me)

@Brianrock72

3 жыл бұрын

@@KultAmerica There was a channel called "The Chicago Aussie" that did neat little Chicago videos for a while. You might like that content in case you're a little homesick. I certainly enjoyed his content when I moved away for a while.

@InnerProp

3 жыл бұрын

@@KultAmerica I've known of the tunnels for a long time and I was geeked to see this too. BTW I was born in 1966 and although the electric busses were gone I still remember the overhead wires lasted for a few years before they took them all down in the early 70's. I'll bet there are still some remnants left on the underside of some overpasses. The last yellow street sign! Yes, I'd watch that. I remember those and don't remember ever seeing them change them. Suddenly they all just magically changed to green.

@keerongill7310

3 жыл бұрын

Same

So they broke through the wall with a wooden pylon, and then waited for 6 months before working on it? They were basically asking to cause a flood at that point

A few years ago a company was hired to seal a portion of the tunnel under the Kennedy expressway downtown. They pumped the tunnel full of concrete. The tunnel then swelled up causing a huge bump accross the expressway that sent cars flying. After a bunch of accidents the expressway was shut down for repairs causing a backup from Wisconsin to Indiana.

@awalton9024

Жыл бұрын

Reminds me of the time about a year after the tunnel flood when the Michigan Ave bridge suddenly popped up/open. My dad said that Chicago was the only place where rivers leak and bridges fall up. 😂

@HunterB738

6 ай бұрын

False

It’s crazy that someone served 16 years out of a 25 year sentence just for trespassing in and exploring the abandoned tunnels of Chicago while real criminals in Chicago routinely get away with much more severe crimes like murder with little to no punishment.

@MegaSupernowa

2 жыл бұрын

Exactly. Makes me think that its not completly abandoned, whenever government overreacts about something this petty you know something is up.

@function0077

2 жыл бұрын

The tunnel system is not abandoned. It is maintained by CDOT and it is off limits because it is filled with utilities (e.g. fiber optic cable).

@HighseekGaming

22 күн бұрын

Yeah, these are our tunnels (the people) not theirs (defacto gov agents) .

I was working as a trader on the Chicago Board Options Exchange the day the tunnels flooded. We lost power and had to go on backup. Within an hour or so, the powers that be decided to close the floor down for the rest of the day. Walking outside and just across the street, one could see divers in full deep water suits being lowered into the basements of the Chicago Board of Trade Building from an outside access shaft. I swear it was something I never thought I'd see anywhere except a movie. The crews they called in to patch up the hole that led to the flood were geniuses. They just kept pouring high pressure concrete of some sort into the hole until the whole leak was stopped. One of the many cool stories about growing up in and working in Chicago. Still a city with a million untold stories.

Wow this channel is back i’m surprised

In the movie THE BLUES BROTHERS you can see a bit of these tunnels.

@JasperJanssen

3 жыл бұрын

Is that when Carrie Fisher shoots at the brother?

@xaenon

3 жыл бұрын

@@JasperJanssen Yes.

@haweater1555

3 жыл бұрын

Right before they rush to the Bluesmobile and say: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses. Hit It!"

@gregb6469

3 жыл бұрын

@@xaenon -- That tunnel was not anywhere near downtown Chicago.

@robertabugelis3962

2 жыл бұрын

@@gregb6469 that's what I thought too. I thought that they were pretty far away.

The structure shown at 6:23 is actually the Museum of Science and Industry, not the Field Museum. It is located in Hyde Park, miles away from any of the tunnels.

Coming from a point of experience. I can explain the tunnels in one paragraph right now. Anyone who has done any underground work in the city of Chicago since the early 90s knows. Look up the great Chicago flood. The tunnels were first produced to move goods and supplies around downtown. Now the tunnels are used to run electrical, plumbing, in some areas is use to run steam pipes to office buildings. These tunnels also run under the Chicago River. They were replacing pylons and they broke into one of the tunnels, which produced the great Chicago flood

@ITSHISTORY

3 жыл бұрын

Have you been inside the tunnels?

@koltoharcos

3 жыл бұрын

@@ITSHISTORY yes I have. The tunnels that run under the Chicago River have been sealed shut. Most of the tunnels have city service is running through. I was in the tunnels in the late 90s 1997 to 1999

@peteroleary9447

3 жыл бұрын

@@ITSHISTORY I've been in the tunnels that run under Uptown in the Lawrence and Broadway area.

@psychologicalsigma9917

3 жыл бұрын

@@peteroleary9447 how does one gain entry?

@user-lg7cb6sr5z

3 жыл бұрын

@@psychologicalsigma9917 you can't anymore

I wouldn’t doubt The MAFIA used these Tunnels back then lol.

@jamesmisener3006

2 жыл бұрын

My first thought was a lot of hanky punky went through these tunnels

@cathyt502

2 жыл бұрын

Born here in '58 and I'm still living in this great city. The Green Mill tavern has a tunnel leading to the Aragon Ballroom, a place I've seen near 100 concerts starting in '73 :) It's rumored A. Capone used that tunnel during prohibition. Think it goes to the Riviera Theater too... all in a few blocks distance of one another. Downtown has many pedways too. I loved taking them from my law firm job, to the courthouse and/or Marshall Field's on State St. all underground, esp. in winter or rainy days.

@zlinedavid

2 жыл бұрын

I’m sure “The Outfit” is more than familiar with these.

I find it very interesting that the air was so pure. You’d think a system of tunnels deep under Chicago would be muggy and humid.

@Sammie1053

2 жыл бұрын

the power of geothermal energy. The temperature below ground, particularly in a colder region like Chicago, is about 55 degrees F year round. It's why root cellars are/were a thing. And quite honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if the air _was_ humid, but at that temperature it can't hold very much moisture and would be quite dry once it came back up to surface temperature.

@ajkleipass

2 жыл бұрын

The air in the tunnels was even sold to cool theatres in summer. In winter, it was easier to warm the tunnel air for heating than to try to warm the outdoor air.

I remember when tunnels flooded. I was ion the Haz Mat Team with the Chicago Fire Department. Made a few visits to the tunnels. The water filled the tunnel and the drop shaft to about 10 feet below the lower basement of the Field Museum. The Conrad Hilton got water at around 7:00 am when the Building Engineers were changing shifts. The water was so forceful in the tunnel it blew the steel door of their access to the tunnel off it’s hinges. Luckily for them there was a concrete support in line with the flow that it directed the water down into the 3rd lower level basement and they were able to start pumps and were pumping for days up and out into the city sewer system. City Halls 2 lower levels were flooded for a week after the hole was plugged.

I'm a little late to the party but, just to add to this; with 1st hand experience. About 20 years ago, I was invited by an acquaintance from the car hobby to do some questionable exploration; I jumped at it. What we found was astonishing. To summarize: It seems that there is a tunnel that isn't on the map that connects Cicero to Chicago then down thru Bridgeview, Lemont and ends at a defunct business at the border of Crest Hill/Joliet; within eyesight of the Joliet Prison --- the same prison where they filmed the opening scenes from Get Smart & The Blues Brothers

@carlsaganlives5112

3 жыл бұрын

That line also has a secret terminal at KAOS headquarters under Sox Park codenamed 'Kominski'.

@Stealth164

3 жыл бұрын

I need to know more

Dallas Texas had a similar Tunnel system, except it was designed for full size train cars pulled by electric locomotives. Unfortunately, 95% or more of the tunnel system no longer exists, with the only accessible parts being the former loading/unloading stations in the basements of buildings. It's believed the the unique electric locomotive is still buried within the tunnels; however, thanks to many sections of the tunnels no longer existing, there's no way to find the trains, much less excavate them.

@lawrencelewis8105

3 жыл бұрын

a man named Alfred Beech built a subway in Manhattan in the 1880s and has one car that is blown from one end of the tunnel to the other by compressed air. it's still down there and is accessible on occasion from the basement of a building on 3rd avenue, from what I've been told. Isn't there a subway in El Paso or Fort Worth made for the Tandy (Radio Shack) corporation?

@grantorino2325

3 жыл бұрын

@@lawrencelewis8105 *Beach And his subway was completely dismantled, in 1871, after less than a year of operating. When the (now abandoned) City Hall subway station was built in the 1920s, it wholly incorporated Beach's subway within it. Trains no longer run there, but (as part of an MTA tour) one can visit the station-and even find a plaque indicating where the Beach subway was.

@19eightyforeisnow

2 жыл бұрын

Cincinnati built a large subway system that was never finished and sits abandoned today.

@royreynolds108

Жыл бұрын

@@lawrencelewis8105 Actually, the tunnel was built by the predecessor building owner, a department store that built the tunnel and parking lots so trolleys took the patrons from the parking lot to the store in the tunnel. I think most of the tunnel is still in existence as I have seen several videos of it.

Your image of the Field Museum is actually the Museum of Science and Industry.

@GregoryLindsey1979

2 жыл бұрын

At the time, it actually *was* the Field Museum! The Field Museum moved into their current building in 1920.

@Trusty125

2 жыл бұрын

@@GregoryLindsey1979 The MSI building itself hasn't moved since it was built for the Columbian Exposition though, and the tunnels definitely never went that far south (+I once spent several hours looking through old World's Fair maps to try and find where the field museum (building) was located, only to find out that it was in the MSI building all along... :l )

@GregoryLindsey1979

2 жыл бұрын

@@Trusty125 That's a very good point, I hadn't considered that.

I wish every city had underground freight railroads like this. The dream of having cities that you can walk to everything. Something like this would make a huge difference in the functionality of these cities.

@royreynolds108

Жыл бұрын

DisneyWorld was built with below-the-surface connections for employees and trach removal, etc.

I remember going to a salvation army near the city, it had 2 floors and a basement. In the basement there was some renovating going on and one of the far walls was broken down. Behind it laid what looked like a tunnel. I was young and scared of getting in trouble from poking my nose where there was caution signs so I didn't... They covered up the wall but I know where the tunnel lays. I think about it sometimes xD

When miles of underground tunnels can only be accessed by a single entrance under City Hall and all unauthorized people are severely punished, that's when you know your city is being run by Vampires.

14:10 16:52 These train cars are still in the tunnel today, as well as rails still in the ground and even some signs. A sign can be seen at 15:56. Rails can also still be seen in place at 16:36.

@boduke6073

3 жыл бұрын

Those cars and only surviving locomotive were removed and saved by the Illinois Railway museum. They were in an elevated part of the tunnel under Grant Park which saved them from the flood in 92. There may have been a few cars hidden away in places but I can't see anything being left now after the flood and clean up of the tunnels. A couple flat cars were saved in the early 80's by IRM, they were found in a basent of a building being torn down.

@royreynolds108

Жыл бұрын

@@boduke6073 The surviving loco and ash cars had been raised on the elevator for dumping the ashes and someone had stollen the copper wiring from the elevator with the elevator powered on, 600VDC.

I live in the building close to where the pilings breached the tunnel. I was not living there at the time the "leak" occurred but I was working at the Merchandise Mart, one of the buildings that was flooded. They had to close the building for a few days as the flood created havoc with the plumbing and HVAC systems. It was quite an adventure. I recall the terrible stench, and having to use porta potties on our floor, and seeing videos on the news of fish swimming in the basements of the affected buildings. The loop looked like a ghost town for several days. Sadly it took some buildings months to recover from the water damage.

Thank you for this remarkably well researched and informed video. What a crying shame that these tunnels are no longer operational today.

I wish America has infrastructure ambitions and engineering competence like this today

I lived in Chicago about 30 years ago. I was a regular at a jazz bar in my neighborhood, if I remember correctly, it was called something like.. the Green Mill? Anyway, the bartenders always told me there was an ancient tunnel entrance behind the bar, that lead to a labyrinth under the city. They never let me go down there to explore, so I never knew if they were bullshitting or not. Maybe it was true? ;)

@starpilotalliance

2 жыл бұрын

Yes. That's true. Old school mobster bar.

Love this story. I worked at Montgomery Ward Corp on Chicago /Kingsbury, which ran along the river. They had sealed off their subbasement access so we never flooded. We could see all of the equipment in the river and on the bridge from the tower in which I worked. I've always been intrigued about the tunnels. Just fascinating. Thanks for great footage

In the classic film "Union Station" from 1950, there are a lot of scenes filmed in the tunnels.

I remember that flood even though I was still in school and halfway across the country. I started university that year and was heading into IT. In industry-related publications there was discussion about changing the then common placement of server rooms, often in the basement of buildings.

4:05 ”electronic trains”?

@carlsaganlives5112

3 жыл бұрын

The first to use wireless microchip technology and GPS.

I get more and more interested with Chicago’s history everyday. I’m one of those New Yorkers that love NY but the rail history around the Chicago area rivals no one but I still love the MTA.

I tried for years to get down there and i had access to some of these lower levers in the 90's. Never got in but i did see where some of the basements had connected to the tunnel. My last attempt was the IC train station at Randolph and Michigan. By the way, "highly Illegal" would have not stopped me from trying as it has not stopped people to this day. After the flood, most of the stores waterproofed there former tunnel entrances and made it impossible to get in. Still have the feeling that I would like to et down there.

@dbeaus

3 жыл бұрын

Another thing, did you folks ever look into the legend that Capone and his boys used the tunnel to move booze back and forth from the south to north sides to avoid detection?

@ITSHISTORY

3 жыл бұрын

I lived in Chicago from 2000 - 2005 and my biggest dream was to go down there. However, after 9/11 the legal risks were way to high !

@dbeaus

3 жыл бұрын

@@ITSHISTORY Why is it we are drawn to places we are not supposed to go like flies to a light? I doubt in 2000 you would have had much success. It was 9 years after the flood and by then most of the Loop buildings had made there tunnel connections completely sealed off. Although, some of the building engineers said that with a little effort one could remove a few things and still get in the tunnel. It was very difficult to get anyone in management or ownership to talk about the tunnel. It was a taboo subject most of the time. Getting anyone in City Engineering to talk about it was impossible. Most claimed they knew nothing about it, which was not true. This was one of the best videos I have ever seen. Informative, complete, but it would have been maybe better if they went a little more into the politics. Like who supported it what years and who was behind them. However, I am sure information like that would be very difficult to get. If you have an interest, try and find some info on the Deep Tunnel Project. Still being built 100's of feet below ground and most Chicago folks know nothing about it. It is one of the largest projects in US history, totally out of site, kind of secret, and difficult to get detailed info on.

@theemagog7859

3 жыл бұрын

@@dbeaus a myth

@dbeaus

3 жыл бұрын

@@theemagog7859 Interesting you say Myth. The flood was no myth and the millions of dollars in damages was no myth. As I said, you could see the sealed up entrances in some of the buildings and there are still many people alive who worked in those tunnels. Perpetrating a myth is done usually for a reason. What reason could they have to prolong a myth like this?

Excellent and fascinating video! A great documentary reviving a bit of nearly forgotten history. Thanks for doing this. It was very enlightening. There is a whole "other world" in Chicago's underground tunnel history! ~ Victor, CHAP

One of the many things that made Chicago unique. I heard about the underground tunnels on a PBS TV program back in the 90's.

Nice to see you back. I for one missed these. Thanks

My first company’s office building was once connected to this network. We explored the basement once, but unfortunately the entrance had been bricked over. I wish people would build inspiring things like this today, instead of bullshit software. These things were built by better men, in an era with better values.

@function0077

2 жыл бұрын

I used to work as an engineering consultant for the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and I have inspected the entire tunnel system. Which building did you used to work in?

@georgepalmerin4514

Жыл бұрын

Late 50d early 60s, me and boys entered the tunnels at Polk street with candles and poles with nails to fight those sewer rats. Went many times spooky and fun

@sosaysthecaptain5580

Жыл бұрын

@@function0077 It was around Wells and Van Buren

@function0077

Жыл бұрын

​@@sosaysthecaptain5580 Cool. I am very familiar with that part of the tunnel system and the buildings above. I worked a number of years on the 19th floor of the 175 West Jackson building.

Thanks for this, it was fascinating.

You know what would’ve been interesting to explore in Chicago? The H H Holmes nightmare building of death.

@Sammie1053

2 жыл бұрын

oh shit, is that the murder hotel? _The one we have a blueprint of?_

@vanessawaller5492

2 жыл бұрын

The site of the original building is now a USPS in Engelwood. BUT...the original basment is still there!

The channel is back!! A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.

This event made my career - we had set up a DR site the week before - just across the street in 440 S LaSalle - a demo. But when they shut off the loop grid that was the only building w power and we ( our client ) was the only firm trading from Chicago that day. High speed (9600 baud !! ) modems to NYC.

wow, I can't tell you how much I enjoyed that video. so interesting.

Less than a fortnight ago I checced this channel for updates, great to see the return!

I've been in one of the Al Capone tunnels! Those tunnels all over are amazing. Our Deep Tunnel is pretty outstanding too. ❤️😉❤️

@tan45

3 жыл бұрын

@Anita Martini show me plz thx...

@AnitaMartini7

3 жыл бұрын

@@tan45 I wish I could but it's not accessible anymore as far as I know. There was a tunnel attached to the Green Mill, a club he frequented but they don't let anyone go into that one.

Just moved here to go to college, great to see the city I grew up visiting from a suburb is getting some historical appreciation

I find it interesting that this is compared to Elon Musk's idea. Since the thing that killed it was basically a lack of use, since it was easier and cheaper to use conventional above ground methods. This exact thing is likely to happen with Elon Musk's tunnel system. It's not compatible with all cars, it would likely cost money (as opposed to driving for free on roads above) and it may not actually save that much time overall. So it will likely suffer a lack of use.

Great documentary! It would be amazing to explore these tunnels!

Good to learn some new things about the city I grew up in!

19:27 I think Chicago is still America's primary rail artery?

I loved the City of Chicago, it has rich culture and traditions. I'm sad to see it go down in recent years.

@obosumba

2 жыл бұрын

Down in recent years? The city is going through a building boom. Thousands of people are moving to Chicago. Rent and property values are sky high. Almost all of the top schools in the state are in the city. Quality of life is great. The city has vastly improved from where we were 20 years ago.

@benz500r

2 жыл бұрын

@@obosumba I’m not talking about some new buildings being built. Historically most places improved along with development. Also, people are moving out from Illinois, consequently I doubt if others are moving to Chicago in big numbers. Having said that, Illinois is one of the states where more people are moving out than moving in.

Glad to see you guys back

very cool story, well told. interesting.

... i think in time of trafficjams these kind of tunnels can get more interesting again... automated cars can bring the deliverybay of big stores, hotels, restaurants, etc out of the center... means no trucks blocking streets for delivery... And outside the center can be a good hub to unload trucks.

Could you imagine when city council first learned about this YOU BUILT WHAT! …WHERE!! HOW MANY MILES!!!!

60 miles of covered cycle way

@MercOne

3 жыл бұрын

Could you imagine!

@theemagog7859

3 жыл бұрын

never would work

im in chicago someone wanna take me on a tour ? ive always ALWAYS wanted to explore underground cities but had no idea there were some in chicago, sooooooo cool

YOU'RE ALIVE!!!!!! LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great video!

There is a tunnel running under Pensacola Bay in FL that once connected two forts. Might make an interesting story for you.

I worked in the Board of Trade in 1991. It is across the street from the Federal Reserve Building. Maintenance kept telling us we were ok, because of the various levels of basements. We kept hearing rumors about the City Hall. Then one hour later, I was told to leave my office immediately. We had clients in that day. The electrical vaults were breached. I heard a rumor they directed the water to the available portions of the Deep Tunnel System South. Back then we learned how to work remotely, minus internet. I had a early version of a laptop, I took home that day. Trains ran as they came in, no schedule. Unbelievable how this happened. Thanks for another great bit of history.

Very interesting video. Thank you very much. 😎👍

Wow! You taught me something new. Thank you.

Wow! Fascinating & historic. Thank you.

This feels like it could be an awesome base for an arg

What surprise that I was in Midwest over 30 years but never heard about such magnificent monument before!

IT'S ALIVE Welcome back team!

I know it's a long shot, but having been born in Omaha, NE, and then living in Chicago for almost all of my adult life - sans the 2 years I spent in Seattle and Tucson in my mid 30s (between 35 and 36ish) a few years ago - I'd love to see some historical videos on Omaha. There are some odd parallels between the cities, and word on the street is that Omaha used Chicago as its city planning model. I know a really good Omaha sleuth/historian who has dug up some really cool information; I'd love if my beloved birthplace got some internet love.

Love your videos, Wabash and Erie Canal would be one I would love to hear a deep dive into. I live and fish in Indiana and frequently come across unusual geographic monuments to it that are almost unrecognizable now

@ITSHISTORY

Жыл бұрын

Sounds good!

Many of my fellow IBEW local 134 brothers have worked in those tunnels..Even at the time when the tunnel failed and the city had a big flood

Outstanding !!!

Extremely interesting. Thank you for your research

1874 smog was a problem, before the advent of the motor vehicle.

@marioalvidrez231

3 жыл бұрын

Although there was gasoline and diesel in those days, steam was king but that meant you had to burn coal. Coal produces smoke carrying a thick sut which is way thicker than the carbon in the air that's found in smog now days. Along with the way they kept warm in those days There would be a smoke plume coming from nearly every home. Today's air pollution doesn't hold a candle to yesteryears pollution we are far cleaner than we were 200 years ago.

@Full_Otto_Bismarck

2 жыл бұрын

@@marioalvidrez231 You don't have to burn coal to make steam. Coal was used at the time because it was cheaper than oil or natural gas, and there were very few if any regulations against its use in heating everything, including homes.

Fantastic video

What’s amazing is that the first 16 miles were excavated in secret. Crews would dig under cover of darkness operating from the basement of a saloon.

A literal underground railroad. I wonder of there were ever train car robberies, under chicago. Imagine shipments of Tiffany being picked clean by bandits.

I love videos like this about the history of places.

Great setting for a video game. Been here my whole life never knew about these tunnels

I just subscribe because I didn't realize the video's I have been watching were it's history I learn a lot from these video good teaching

Great presentation.

A moder version of this would no doubt be completely automated with shipping robots like the kind they have some of thr Amazon warehouses

@justdoingitjim7095

3 жыл бұрын

They were using those automated delivery robots in the J.C. Penney Headquarters Building that I helped build in the early 90's. The "tracks" were two runs of parallel flat metal tape that was stuck to the concrete floor before the floor covering was put over it.

@sevegarza

3 жыл бұрын

@@justdoingitjim7095 Neat. Ya would be cool if a city was built around an automated system like this.

Excellent presentation. Polished, professional and enlightening.

Great video. Thank you.

Amazing, I had no idea.

Ive worked in one of the buildings that was connected they walled off both ends of the tunnel in the building but the station is in the basement for coal and goods delivery and the boilers are there i have pics amazing honestly

Utility and communication cables were a main part of the 1991 disaster. Cables went from the tunnels into buildings that were otherwise not part of the system, When the watar came rushing through, the seals around the lines blew out, allowing the water into more buildings than were really connected to the system. I was part of a government team that handled the immediate issues of the event. More than 90% of building were cleared for reoccupancy after the first week but building owners and managers kept them closed for much longer.

I remember hearing about these tunnels but I was not sure if it was true seeing how I could not check for myself seeing I don't live near Chicago but this video seems well informed

2019 Elon Musk "invented" underground transportation again using electric cars in tunnels.... and media goes vrrrrrrrrr what a novelty... .

@lohphat

3 жыл бұрын

1) More expensive than a subway 2) less capacity per hour than a subway 3) only for the wealthy. Yup, it's Elon.

@UnipornFrumm

3 жыл бұрын

Doubt

@nunyabizness199

3 жыл бұрын

Much like the Max system in the Portland Or. area. We had street cars going everywhere, till they got rid of them in liew of busses.

Amazing times we live in where everybody has a video camera in their pocket! Makes you wonder how much pure gold you'd be missing out on, if not so!

I first became aware of them in 1967 while working in the summer at Marshall Fields as a stock boy before going to college. Then again in April of 1992. Hendry punctured a tunnel while sinking a piling in the Chicago River. All the tunnels flooded.