America's Largest Abandoned Subway - Cincinnati Subway Explored! 

Hope everyone enjoyed the video, it's a lot of work to make these Forbidden Explorers episodes but we think it's worth! Also, for 24 hours after the release of this video, we're offering a 20% discount on everything in our shop-> shop.theproperpeople.com. Just use promo code SUBWAY20 at checkout! And if you need to create your own website, sign up for squarespace at squarespace.com/properpeople.

Im surprised how far people will go just to spray paint a wall. That's dedication.

When I was a kid back in the 50's, I use to play in those tunnels with my friends. We lived just a few blocks away from an entrance. As kids, we use to build a small fire and make believe we were camping the forest. Someone spotted the smoke and called the fire department. Many years later, as a fighter myself, I met a Captain who told me he went on several calls like that. I never told him it was me.

20:55 That's no Satanic ritual, that's a ritual to summon Stan, from accounting

I took this tour with friends around 1975 when I was about 15 years old. We had baseball bats with us! LOL One of our friends had been in there before and drove us down there. We parked in white castles or was it daily donuts? at 1 in the morning and walked across the street just like you did. Flimsy broken gate made it easy to get in. We walked the whole thing, the air was very stuffy. There was no graffiti and no trash. It felt like we were one of the few that had seen it then. There was metal drums and plastic liners for emergency that someone had put down there. The large pipe was there then. Everything was in so much better shape then. Duhh it was 45 years newer then.

Glad that this channel doesn't have titles like " Exploring Slenderman Subway at 3 am challenge"

I am amazed. Seriously, this vid is amazing. My second wife's father is the source of my amazement, God rest his lovely soul. He was an insurance inspector in the southwest corner of Ohio. I was an agent of an Ohio Valley power plant that dealt with insurance inspectors. From our first meeting we were able to enjoyably share both sides of the industrial insurance experience. At our second or third meeting (his daughter and I lived on the other corner of the state) he began telling me about tunnels dug into the Cincy hills, back in the late 1920s, and that there were insurable reasons for him to inspect them. He did talk about some parts were previously used as CD (Civil Defense) shelters in the 1950s , maybe even into the 1960s. I recall him stating that some areas were used for storage, and other areas for reasons he did not explain. In the vid, seeing the fiber optic assets there now, I understand. My former FIL, rest in peace mi amigo, was only telling me the truth. Insurance inspectors will insist on crawling into the depths of intestines to prove the insurability of any asset. My former FIL and all industrial insurance inspectors have my respect. Inspectors took me to places I'd rather not see again, and allowed me to make a great living doing so. The paperwork wasn't all that bad on top of the endless other duties; the company was happy and the insurers were happy. I feel very honored to have heard my FIL's descriptions of Cincy's tunnel system, and of its alternative uses over time. Alas, my time with his daughter ended very quickly, and my interactions with her dad ended in kind. He was a very intelligent and understanding man, and that makes him wise. Godspeed, Jim. I am absolutely certain that there is a report written by Jim in a file somewhere telling the insured to "immediately limit public access to subterranean assets." This video is broadcastable quality. If you kids aren't making six figures in production yet, well, that ain't right, you're that good.

I used to like to do mini explores when I was in my 20s and 30s. Nothing like with you guys do, small abandoned houses and buildings. My crown jewel was an abandoned yacht turned restaurant. It had flooded out in the lower compartment and was still in the water. Now that I’m in my 40s I love to live vicariously through your videos and enjoy all the strange, creepy and cool places you both explore. I look forward to every video. Your channel rocks!

As a native Cincinnatian, I was aware of the Cincy Subway, but no where else that I've seen so far, showed more than a little of what was there. Your exploration was very well done, thanks guys.

For future reference in order to go in during the day at your leisure, just wear hard hats and orange vests and clip on ID looking name tags, and don't forget to bring clip boards to complete the " city worker " look. It's amazing what you can get away with if you just look official, don't ask me how I know.

I wish the city could rebuild and open these tunnels again one day! They might require smaller trains and more building but at least the infrastructure is already there. The city is fortunate they began building in simpler times because to do something like this to say, Dallas, would be difficult with how big the city has grown over the streets, land, etc.

Imagine if they went back to the entrance and it was locked

I don't know how everyone feels about it but I feel that the echos of the upper traffic is creepy down there in the abandoned subway. I don't think that I could do that with my wheelchair at all.

It always blows my mind to find content on RU-vid of people trying epic shit like this. There are so many cool places and things to experience in life and it's cool to see someone not only finding them but also documenting it.

As someone who used to roam those streets at night (back in a different life) there are many many reasons that is locked up and prevented from being entered. If you think it's rough down there in certain areas at night then you couldn't imagine what it would be like if those same folks were in an abandoned subway. I've been robbed downtown as well as many others. I've had my face busted up needing stitches multiple times unprovoked of course. I had my upper jaw broken, my maxilary my orbital socket broken teeth broken. I had 4 different facial fractures from an attempted robbery. I've been through some unimaginable things down there, some of which only me God and the devil know about. I will be taking those secrets to the grave. Thier are things that go on downtown that very few people know about. If you know, you know. Be careful. God bless

9:35 please tell me I'm not the only one hearing *"help"*

This is so good, guys!!

I kept expecting that train from the Ghost busters movie to come crusin thru.

19:06 They go around those marking on city property and freight trains because the only time graffiti gets removed is when it obstructs workers from being able to read the markings

the underground railroad also went through cincinnati one time i lived in a old house the basement had a entrance to the underground railroad, come to find out a few years later many people on my street had them in their basement,,,, some even claimed to have weird happenings in their homes because of it but they all said the spirits were not evil or anything

It would be cool if the city did something with it besides having a abandoned tunnel and maybe an artist Market or something

Thank you for sharing this video. I was born in Cincinnati. Some local tv stations have aired video on the abandon subway, but no comparison to your video. Y'all did an awesome job.

I lived near Cincy for 27 years and this video warms my heart. Thank you! 💖

9:37 no one is gonna talk about the guy yelling in the tunnel........

You guys never cease to amaze me. You've really upped your editing and professionalism lately, and they were high to begin with. Great stuff!

Fyi, there is a second underground tunnel system that is closed to the public in Cincinnati. It was suppose to be the second coming of mass transit here, but alas budget cuts and poor spending have shut it down. Its stations have ornate and beautiful tile work. You can still see the the stairs descending into it on 2nd street in front of the Reds stadium and Underground railroad museum. Its rumored that buses/cars carry VIP and government officials through the tunnel but most of it is overgrown and run down. Shame because the tile work is beautiful. Might not be a worth while trip as I was told that since great American ballpark is designated as a Homeland Security hub, it may he monitored very closely. Just thought you all might like to know and research it.

The sealed up station is actually the basement below the Cincinnati Bell HQ downtown. All the fiber optic equipment is in there. How do I know? I was on the team that helped install it all.

I am from a city of subways ( Metro). this is indeed fascinating. And you were right, at the end is where the trains "turn". Here, the front becomes the end in changing directions. Thanks for the episode.

We can't seem to finish anything here in the US. Our infrastructure is crumbling and politicians continue to fight over bullcrap.

Imagine closing ur eyes and spinning around really fast. You would not know which way u came!

I've known about the Subway for years, but I've never seen much of the inside except for a few random photos. Around Halloween time, there are some tours that take you down into parts of the subway.

The city stores equipment in their mostly for ease of access in case some emergency work needs to be done in that area. The biggest danger is that if the doors are unlocked and the equipment (normally a backhoe) is absent it can return while you are far down the tunnels and you will find yourself locked in. Also last time I was there that main was still in use I don't remember if that one is for water or natural gas though and it has been a few years. Great job on the video though!

I like these videos better than your recent ones. Explaining the history more instead of just walking around and being like oh wow this is destroyed

I'd love to go there just to record the echoes and sounds of car traffic. Being in tunnels or under bridges and overpasses always yield nice results.

sad to see these tunnels just abandoned, but atleast they are preserved and can be made into a proper subway

Imagine an underground black light party there!!

This video is a bitter reminder on how much I would love a subway in Cincinnati. Especially at 3:04

19:20 "Star Trek: TNG" Interesting choice for graffiti. Obviously from trekkies were down here, exploring where few have gone before in recent times.

what a shame... amenities like this can be so useful and give outcome to so many people who cannot afford a car! America and its pursuit of car-dependency is just shocking to me...

"Proceed no further or Die" "Don't Wake it up" At that point, I'd bring out the backpack rifle

"This thing is miles long and we will be taking you through every inch of it" Clip duration: less than 30 minutes.

Back in the early 80s when I was a teen it was easy to get into sections of it. We would take our bikes in there and mess around-scare each other. I never remember going back into it that far. I would not recommend anyone going in there these days, especially kids. Stay out.

Another awesome adventure you guys have taken us on. Thank You.

Amazing explore. Thanks for the video

I went down there in 1985 with some friends. Back then it looked like it was being used as a fallout shelter. There where hundreds of metal barrels intended to hold water. They were all empty. There were also thousands of MREs. Walking back a little further there were decomtamination showers. I remember we took a barrel and filled it with MREs. We wheeled that darned thing up Straight St. Then as we were crossing Nippert stadium and UC cop stopped us and asked what we were doing. We told him. He said, "can you do that?" We just responded, "sure". He said okay and let us go. The MRE's were not very good but I'll never forget that little adventure.

You should avoid any tunnels where the water main is running through them. Both the Feds and the city consider anyone lurking around the water main a potential source or terrorism.

when you said “hello” the second time at around 8:00, the drips or footsteps got quicker

Amazing video. It looks as if it was a cut and cover style of subway. Not subway tubes as in most NYC and Chicago lines.

Every time I visit family in the Cincinnati area I think of how much the city would benefit from having a subway. Then I think of the tunnels already in place, but never used. Most of the work was already done on the project before they shortsightedly abandoned it. I've heard a lot of reasons over the years as to why it was never completed - many of which are quite compelling - but none of that detracts from the sheer *waste* of it all. Such a shame.

that was awesome i love these episodes! Very sad they wont ever use that subway system

scratch yourself on to something there and boom you got a new dr house episode

born and raised in ohio and i didnt know there was even a subway in this state

I hope you guys bring chem lights, first aid kits, mace, ropes, a weapon, for backup. I'm surprised you don't wear long sleeves, gloves, etc.

The cautious "HALLOW?" lol I can't blame you, that does indeed look spooky.

8:26 the "station" refers to how engineers measure distances in stations. So it's saying that mark is station 130+00 (1300 ft)

this really has the feeling of Metro 2033 and The last of us.

Did you honestly think someone was randomly in a defunked subway tunnel that far in with no source of light and being that quiet. Lol

I always new Cincinnati had an used subway. I always looked at that entrance off I-75 and wondered what it looked like inside. Thanks for showing me ...now I don't have to go!

@7:27 on the right, looks like an eye shinning back at the camera from the other tunnel. It disappears.

What the hell, I've lived here my entire life and had absolutely no idea there was ever a subway down there

9:36 im pretty sure that was someone yelling...

Thank you for exploring this piece of history. I found this intriguing and engaging at the same time. I really like these kinds of videos which survey abandoned places. Keep doing the great work.

Thiz is amazing video. Thanks for da insider look of thiz suppose to be subway 🚇..

“Risk for arrest OR bodily injury” - Do I get to chose then?

im waiting for a ghost train lol

If you had placed your right palm against those brick walls at the end, and whispered "Lacerta, let me in", it would of faded away and then the real exploring begins! Haha, no, seriously though guys, you're so lucky you didn't run into anyone in there. In the beginning I could tell you were even more spooked than me!

I did the same exploration 50 yrs. ago. Cool!

Gonna go here this summer with my friends

Replying to each comment feels like entering a tunnel and scribbling my graffiti someplace that most people will never look.

Looks hastily, poorly constructed and frankly small. Sharp turns, small stations... Even if it was turned into a real thing, it's unlikely it would exist today.

At 24:36 it says "Стефан".(Stephan/Stefan) on the wall. In cyrillic script. Bulgarians are everywhere indeed.

Scary trip …ty for this

i love the old music when the video starts

Things not to do in a place like that: Yell hello if you aren't ready for an answer

would be more scared for crack junkies than actual ghost in that tunnel

I always feel bad for the people that spend hours and hours everyday working on these big projects, only for it to later be canceled or demolished.

“We knew our chances of getting in this way were slim.” *opens door*

The absolutely scariest thing you could possibly hear in that tunnel is the echo of the sound of a new padlock banging up into that steel box and clicking shut in the distance behind you.

"Hail Stan" Those poor worshippers summoned the wrong dude from Hell. They summoned Satan's derpy brother.

As a Cincinnatian who’s spent they’re whole life dying of curiosity about the subway, this was so cool to see! As a city, we still lack decent infrastructure and I firmly feel it’s held us back as a city.

just gloss over the fact that the Satanic drawing Said "Hail STAN"

The pipes Artyom! The pipes, they sing!

I'm a new railfan and this is blowing my mind that Cincinnati had subway infrastructure. Man if that was completed it could have really made a big difference.

I am genuinely surprised you guys didnt run into anyone down there.

Really need to go back and set up a train whistle and high powered light triggered by a motion detector

Actually did the same exploring back in the early/mid '80's in this when I was in college. The gate was very flimsy back then. The water main was there. The fallout shelter was actually in pretty good shape and was still somewhat stocked. There wasn't the graffiti.

Imagine being down there and you suddenly hear the subway surfers theme playing in the distance

"At night, when we can be more bold in our search" And then walks up to an open door and gets in

Missed oppurtunity to sing the halo theme.

It’s creepy to think that they probably unknowingly encountered individuals down there who just stayed quiet and motionless

13:33, just casually ignoring the message on the wall "Don't wake it up"

What if someone remember they forgot to look the door and came back to lock it while you were inside. That's the kind of shit I always worry about hah

13:34 - graffiti says “Don’t wake it up”. Either a great IT reference or a creepy-ass warning.

The stations, found on the walls, are used by engineers and surveyors to measure distances along a path. 130+00 means 13,000 feet. The numbers kept dropping the deeper you went, so the concrete wall at the very end might have been station 0+00 = 0 feet. So that segment of subway tunnel would have been roughly 2.5 miles long.

The grafitti gives a good clue how many other unauthorized visitors have been there.

Just imagine being stuck in the middle of that without flashlight, you have to really plan ahead of this type of exploration

I live in cincinnati, I CANT BELIEVE THAT DOOR WAS UNLOCKED

I'm from Cincinnati and the subway was always a huge mystery to everyone that lived there. It's always crazy that you can still see some of the entrances from the highways and such. Such a shame they weren't able to finish it.

It's a shame it's mostly concrete looking, was hoping it'd be one of those creepy Victorian stations :D

So just a fun fact, I lay pipe for a living, and At 6:20, as far as water mains go, they are actually in good shape. America’s pipelines are all 60 years old on average, in desperate need of repair. They are covered in plastic as an attempt of further protection. Laying that line through a subway would actually be far easier than digging it up and going through the ground, trying to navigate the pipe through the literally hundreds of other utilities such as gas mains, fiber optic, electric, Cox, and AT&T lines. . That is your basic CMLC concrete lines water main. You won’t hear any water running through them as they are fully pressurized and running at 100%. The only time you’ll hear anything is when you have space or air in the line, which will allow for water splashing or the “water hammer” effect. Typically the only time you see pipe that isn’t underground like that is when you would have the pipe crossing a bridge or across a river or stream. Water lines and other utilities have to follow roads and highways, as roads will take the pipe anywhere the people are, just like the roads. Since they decided to run the water line through the subway, they would have had to install tons of pumps and sump holes, in order to drain the water if a pipe bursts. However, that appears to be a 24”-36” water main, and if it were to burst, that entire subway would be filled with water insanely fast, so multiple pumps would be necessary and tied into the city power grid, with a separate discharge pipeline, to carry the water to a lake or river.