Erik Swanson explored the Freedom Tunnel in New York City.
The Amtrak Train Tunnel runs beneath the west side highway from 72nd Street to 125th.
Meeting the “mole people”
He was drawn to explore the tunnels because of stories of the so-called mole people who live in the train tunnels.
During his visits, he met some of the men who call this train tunnel home.
He was astonished and amazed at what he experienced exploring one of the homes.
Then Erik met Walter.
Walter is one of the men who live in the train tunnel, and he agreed to show his home to Erik.
The house was right above a sign of “80th STREET”.
The entryway was a small opening on a wall a few meters above the ground.
A ladder was used to go up into Walter’s small space which he divided into sections for his bathroom, living room, bedroom, and kitchen.
While Erik was climbing the ladder, he thought about the paradox of going into the home of a man who most people consider homeless.
Once he entered Walter’s dwelling, he realized that homeless was not an accurate label for this man.
He did not live in a mansion, but he had created a place he calls home for himself.
A place of comfort.
Most of the things were put together by Walter alone.
This included a working personal computer, a radio, a toaster oven, and a stove to make his own meals.
In the living room, he was able to watch movies and play music on his radio.
He also had books that he puts neatly on a shelf.
He relies on his “ingenuity”.
When asked where he was getting electricity from, he did not answer directly, but rather explained to Erik that ingenuity and resourcefulness play a big part in getting electricity.
He further added that he could run a line from light poles into his place as an example.
His resourcefulness goes a long way.
Even when it comes to making money.
One way he made money was by rebuilding old desktop computers and reselling them.
He also sold books out on the streets to booksellers, or at a bookstore nearby.
Some days he goes “canning”.
He picks tin cans for an afternoon and can make $25 to $30 from them.
He said he has to improvise in making money to survive.
Although in some cases this is not enough, he mentioned that he’s doing alright compared to other people down there.
“You’re not going to find too many people around here that have got as much as I do,” he explained.
Erik’s experience was an absolute pleasure.
Walter’s resourcefulness and ingenuity provided him with a level of comfort and stability not typically associated with homeless people.
He has made a place he calls home down in a train tunnel beneath a city.
Most importantly, his visit to Walter’s home provided a new perspective on people who choose to live outside the norms of society.
See how Walter has made the tunnels beneath New York his home in the video below!
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