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Westhampton Beach Today
By the People, for the People
Hamptons Subway Tunnel Boring Machine Vanishes
Inspectors believe Elon Musk's team stole the machine to build an undersea tunnel to Manhattan
Mar. 22, 2026 at 9:55am
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The massive tunnel boring machine that had been parked near the Westhampton Beach subway station for the past six months has mysteriously disappeared. Inspectors suspect that Elon Musk's team removed the machine to build an undersea high-speed subway tunnel between Westhampton Beach and Manhattan. Additionally, a strange silver and white subway train, not belonging to the Hamptons system, was spotted racing through the stations late one night, leading to concerns among workers.
Why it matters
The disappearance of the large and expensive tunnel boring machine is a major setback for the Hamptons Subway system's plans to expand service and connectivity in the region. The potential construction of an unauthorized high-speed tunnel by Musk also raises questions about jurisdiction, safety, and the future of public transit in the area.
The details
The 20-foot horizontal drill screw tunnel boring machine had been parked in an underground alcove near the Westhampton Beach station since an unsuccessful attempt to bore a tunnel to Rogers Memorial Beach last spring. Inspectors believe Elon Musk's team used another boring machine to tunnel through the wall and steal the Hamptons' machine, intending to use it for a new high-speed nonstop subway connection between Westhampton Beach and Manhattan.
- The tunnel boring machine went missing last week.
- At 2:12 a.m. last Thursday, a strange silver and white subway train, not belonging to the Hamptons system, was spotted racing through the stations at over 80 mph.
The players
Elon Musk
The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, who is suspected of stealing the Hamptons Subway's tunnel boring machine to build an unauthorized high-speed undersea tunnel between Westhampton Beach and Manhattan.
Steven Spielberg
The famous film director, who was seen chatting with actress Kate Winslet on the Hamptons Subway last Wednesday.
Kate Winslet
The acclaimed actress, who was seen chatting with director Steven Spielberg on the Hamptons Subway last Wednesday.
Bill Aspinall
The current Hamptons Subway Commissioner, who has been in touch with Elon Musk about the missing boring machine.
Zeke Jones
The newcomer running against Bill Aspinall for the position of Hamptons Subway Commissioner in the upcoming election.
What they’re saying
“I have been in touch with Elon Musk about our boring machine and he's told me to take the matter up with President Donald Trump who is the major stockholder in their new Zip Hamptons Scoot Train Company. He'll set you straight.”
— Bill Aspinall, Hamptons Subway Commissioner
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Elon Musk to continue construction on the unauthorized high-speed tunnel between Westhampton Beach and Manhattan.
The takeaway
The disappearance of the Hamptons Subway's tunnel boring machine highlights the growing tensions between local transit authorities and powerful tech companies like Musk's, as they vie for control and influence over the region's transportation infrastructure.
