The literal journey involves Charley, discovering a supposed 'third level' at the Grand Central Station--a portal to the year 1894. The metaphorical journey-- Charley's inner longing for a simpler, more reassuring past - a common human desire to retreat to a time perceived as better or less complicated. The significance - their portrayal of the universal quest for happiness and fulfillment -- together, these journeys explore themes of escapism, the subjective nature of reality, and the deep-seated human need for connection and comfort in familiar but idealised, settings.