Step aboard the private subway system Congress members use to commute to the US Capitol

"Beneath the US Capitol in Washington, DC, a system of tunnels connects the Senate and House floors with various office buildings where senators and representatives spend their work days. At the heart of this tunnel system is the Capitol subway, a private three-line subway system that transports legislators on two-minute journeys from their office buildings to the Capitol. The subway system dates back to the construction of the Senate office buildings in the early 1900s."

"The government shutdown may still be underway, but one system used daily by lawmakers is still running. These days, subway cars run between locations hundreds of times a day, and have even functioned during past shutdowns. Photos from the current shutdown, which started October 1, show senators aboard its cars and speaking with journalists in its hallways. Look inside the little-known rail system that has moved Congress members for over a hundred years."

A network of tunnels under the US Capitol links the Senate and House floors with congressional office buildings. At its center is the Capitol subway, a private three-line rail system that carries legislators on roughly two-minute trips between offices and the Capitol. The subway originated during construction of the Senate office buildings in the early 1900s and has operated for over a century. Cars run hundreds of times daily and have continued operating during past government shutdowns. Recent photos show senators using the cars and speaking with journalists in the tunnel hallways.

Read at Business Insider