THE WALDORF’S SECRET

The Waldorf-Astoria in New York has a secret railway platform served by a private elevator. Once touted as a supremely private access for guests with private rail cars — not uncommon in the late ’30s when it was built — Track 61 was mostly used by US President Franklin D Roosevelt during WW2. Legend has it that the elevator and rail track are maintained as an escape route for VIPs, but the lucky few granted access in recent years say there’s little there but an old baggage car and dust.

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