BMT West End Line

Last updated

BMT West End Line
NYCS-bull-trans-D-Std.svg
The D train serves the entire BMT West End Line at all times.
Overview
Owner City of New York
Termini
Stations13
Service
Type Rapid transit
System New York City Subway
Operator(s) New York City Transit Authority
Daily ridership49,737 (2023) [1]
History
Opened1916–1917
Technical
Line length4.5 miles (7.2 km) [2]
Number of tracks3–6
CharacterOpen Cut (Ninth Avenue only) /Surface along Coney Island Yard/
Elevated
Track gauge 4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Electrification 600 V DC third rail
Route map

Contents

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Ninth Avenue
(lower level abandoned)
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Fort Hamilton Parkway
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50th Street
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55th Street
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62nd Street
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71st Street
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79th Street
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18th Avenue
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20th Avenue
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Bay Parkway
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25th Avenue
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Bay 50th Street
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Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue
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The BMT West End Line is a line of the New York City Subway, serving the Brooklyn communities of Sunset Park, Borough Park, New Utrecht, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Coney Island. The D train operates local on the entire line at all times. Although there is a center express track and three express stations along the line, there is no regular express service.

The elevated line, originally mapped as the New Utrecht Avenue Line (though the common name prevailed after construction), replaced the surface West End Line. [3]

Extent and service

The following services use part or all of the BMT West End Line: [4]

 Time periodSection of line
NYCS-bull-trans-D-Std.svg all timesfull line

The line begins as a branch of the BMT Fourth Avenue Line south of the 36th Street station, and it extends through a cut described as the 38th Street cut to Ninth Avenue. Then it becomes an elevated structure over New Utrecht Avenue, before subsequently turning through private property near 79th Street into 86th Street. The line then continues over 86th Street to Stillwell Avenue and to the line's terminal at Coney Island. [3]

History

The line was originally a surface excursion railway to Coney Island, called the Brooklyn, Bath and Coney Island Railroad, which was established in 1862, but did not reach Coney Island until 1864. [5] Under the Dual Contracts of 1913, an elevated line was built over New Utrecht Avenue, 86th Street and Stillwell Avenue.

From 39th Street to Coney Island, the old route was abandoned as a rapid transit line, and it was turned into a surface car line. Surface car operation began on the line once the new elevated service started. [3]

The first portion of the line, between the 36th Street station on Fourth Avenue and 62nd Street station, opened on June 24, 1916, with two tracks. [6] [7] On the same date, the line opened three more stations to 18th Avenue, but with only one track in service. The second track between 62nd Street and 18th Avenue opened on July 8, 1916. The line was then extended to 25th Avenue on July 29, 1916. The line opened to and fully opening to Coney Island on July 21, 1917. The original surface right-of-way was retained for use by trolley cars to provide local service and protect the company's franchise. [3]

As part of an 18-month capital budget that took effect on January 1, 1963, the wooden platforms at the stations on the West End Line were replaced with concrete platforms. [8]

On November 13, 1985, the New York City Transit Authority announced that an almost four-year-long renovation of the line would begin in spring 1986. As part of the project, tracks and girders would be repaired, and stations would be rehabilitated. To enable sections of the local tracks to be taken out of service for long periods of time for the work, trains would operate on the center express track and stop at local stations through the use of temporary platforms that would be constructed atop the local track. [9]

Service history

Elevated line over 86th Street at Bay Parkway station Bay Parkway (BMT West End Line).jpg
Elevated line over 86th Street at Bay Parkway station
Route designation on BMT Triplex equipment Bmt triplex no 3.png
Route designation on BMT Triplex equipment

The West End Line has had an express (on the BMT Fourth Avenue Line) service – labeled 3 in 1924 – since it opened in 1916, passing over the Manhattan Bridge and onto the BMT Broadway Line express tracks. In the late 1950s, midday trains were switched to the local Fourth Avenue tracks and through the Montague Street Tunnel, and late night and Sunday service became a shuttle between Coney Island and 36th Street. The express and local services were assigned the designations T and TT in the early 1960s. With the opening of the Chrystie Street Connection in late 1967, the B train from Manhattan was extended to Coney Island, absorbing the T and TT (both ran express on Fourth Avenue). The TT late night and Sunday shuttle survived until 1968, when the B became full-time. It ran local on Fourth Avenue during late night hours, but express at all other times. Late night operation was cut back to a shuttle to 36th Street in 1976.

In 2001, when reconstruction of the Manhattan Bridge north tracks resumed, the B service in Brooklyn was replaced by the new W train, which ran as a shuttle not only to 36th Street during nighttime hours, but also to Atlantic Avenue–Pacific Street on weekends. In 2002, reconstruction of Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue resulted in the West End Line being the only line to serve the terminal and the W was extended full-time into Manhattan, using the local Fourth Avenue tracks and Montague Street Tunnel on weekends and late nights hours. [10]

In 2004, the Manhattan Bridge reconstruction project was completed, and the W was replaced with an extended D train, running over the bridge at all hours and express on Fourth Avenue except late nights. D service was moved to the West End Line instead of returning to the Brighton Line, where it ran on from 1967 to 2001, because West End Line residents from Chinatowns in Brooklyn wanted full-time access to Grand Street, on the Sixth Avenue Line in Manhattan's Chinatown. This also eliminated the need to run late-night and/or weekend shuttles on either the Concourse Line or the West End Line. [11]

The other service pattern was the "West End Short Line", a rush-hour local (on Fourth Avenue) service between the BMT Nassau Street Line in Lower Manhattan and 62nd Street or Bay Parkway. It became part of the TT in the early 1960s and was discontinued in 1967. In 1987, the short line service was essentially recreated when the rush-hour M extension to Brooklyn was moved from the BMT Brighton Line to the West End Line terminating at Bay Parkway. It terminated at Ninth Avenue during midday hours until 1995, when it was cut back to Chambers Street. It was extended again from 2001–2004 while the Manhattan Bridge was closed for reconstruction. In 2010, as part of a series of MTA budget cuts, rush-hour M service was discontinued.

On July 19, 2019, a project to install elevators at the 62nd Street/New Utrecht Avenue station was completed. [12] Starting on September 18, 2021, and continuing until January 3, 2022, southbound D trains terminated at Bay 50th Street so work could be completed to protect Coney Island Yard from flooding. [13]

Station listing

Station service legend
NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg Stops all times
Time period details
Wheelchair symbol.svg Station is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act
Wheelchair symbol.svg  Station is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act
in the indicated direction only
Wheelchair symbol.svg  
Aiga elevator.svg Elevator access to mezzanine only
Neighborhood Wheelchair symbol.svg StationTracksServicesOpenedTransfers and notes
splits from the BMT Fourth Avenue Line ( D   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg )
Center Express track begins (No Regular Service)
connecting tracks to former BMT Culver Line (demolished)
connecting tracks to 36th–38th Street Yard from local tracks
Sunset Park Ninth Avenue all D   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg June 24, 1916former transfer to BMT Culver Line
Borough Park Fort Hamilton Parkway local D   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg June 24, 1916
50th Street local D   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg June 24, 1916
55th Street local D   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg June 24, 1916
Bensonhurst Wheelchair symbol.svg 62nd Street all D   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg June 24, 1916 BMT Sea Beach Line ( N   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg W   NYCS-SSI-rushonly.svg ) at New Utrecht Avenue
71st Street local D   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg June 24, 1916
79th Street local D   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg June 24, 1916
18th Avenue local D   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg June 24, 1916
20th Avenue local D   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg July 29, 1916
Wheelchair symbol.svg Bay Parkway all D   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg July 29, 1916 B82 Select Bus Service
25th Avenue local D   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg July 29, 1916
connecting track to Coney Island Yard
Gravesend Bay 50th Street local D   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg July 21, 1917
connecting track to Coney Island Yard
Center Express track ends
Coney Island Wheelchair symbol.svg Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue all D   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg July 21, 1917 BMT Brighton Line ( Q   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg )
IND Culver Line ( F   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg <F> NYCS-SSI-rushpeak.svg )
BMT Sea Beach Line ( N   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg )

Over the years, the West End line has been featured in movies and television shows.

Underneath the tracks between 50 St and FHP vc.jpg
Under the structure, between 50th Street and Fort Hamilton Parkway stations

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Q (New York City Subway service)</span> New York City Subway service

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The BMT Brighton Line, also known as the Brighton Beach Line, is a rapid transit line in the B Division of the New York City Subway in Brooklyn, New York City, United States. Local service is provided at all times by the Q train, but is joined by the B express train on weekdays. The Q train runs the length of the entire line from Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue to the Manhattan Bridge south tracks. The B begins at Brighton Beach and runs via the bridge's north tracks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">W (New York City Subway service)</span> New York City Subway service

The W Broadway Local is a rapid transit service of the New York City Subway's B Division. Its route emblem, or "bullet", is colored yellow since it uses the BMT Broadway Line in Manhattan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">B (New York City Subway service)</span> New York City Subway service

The B Sixth Avenue Express is a rapid transit service in the B Division of the New York City Subway. Its route emblem, or "bullet", is colored orange, since it uses the IND Sixth Avenue Line in Manhattan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D (New York City Subway service)</span> New York City Subway service

The D Sixth Avenue Express is a rapid transit service in the B Division of the New York City Subway. Its route emblem, or "bullet", is colored orange, since it uses the IND Sixth Avenue Line in Manhattan.

The T Second Avenue Local is a prospective rapid transit service in the B Division of the New York City Subway. It is proposed to run on the Second Avenue Subway in Manhattan and its route symbol will be turquoise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">N (New York City Subway service)</span> New York City Subway service

The N Broadway Express is a rapid transit service in the B Division of the New York City Subway. Its route emblem, or "bullet," is colored yellow, since it uses the BMT Broadway Line in Manhattan.

The BMT Sea Beach Line is a rapid transit line of the BMT division of the New York City Subway, connecting the BMT Fourth Avenue Line at 59th Street via a four-track wide open cut to Coney Island in Brooklyn. It has at times hosted the fastest express service between Manhattan and Coney Island, since there are no express stations along the entire stretch, but now carries only local trains on the N service, which serves the entire line at all times. During rush hours, several W trains serve the line north of 86th Street.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Culver Shuttle</span> New York City Subway service

The Culver Shuttle was a New York City Subway shuttle, running along a remnant of the BMT Culver Line, most of which is now the IND Culver Line. The shuttle was originally part of the Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Corporation (BMT)'s 5 service, providing through service on the Culver Line between Coney Island and Manhattan. The F train is the current successor to Culver Line service. The line had 1,000 riders a day during its final month of service in 1975.

The BMT Fourth Avenue Line is a rapid transit line of the New York City Subway, mainly running under Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn. The line is served by the D, N, and R at all times; the R typically runs local, while the D and N run express during the day and local at night. During rush hours, select W trains also serve the line. Northbound D and N trains run local along the line after 6:45 p.m. during weekdays as well. The line was originally built by the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company and is now internally operated as part of the New York City Subway's B Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ninth Avenue station</span> New York City Subway station in Brooklyn

The Ninth Avenue station is a bi-level express station on the BMT West End Line of the New York City Subway, located at the intersection of Ninth Avenue and 39th Street in Brooklyn. Each level has three tracks and two island platforms. The upper level serves the BMT West End Line while the lower level formerly served the BMT Culver Line. Only the upper level is still in service and is served by the D train at all times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fort Hamilton Parkway station (BMT West End Line)</span> New York City Subway station in Brooklyn

The Fort Hamilton Parkway station is a local station on the BMT West End Line of the New York City Subway, located in Brooklyn at the intersection of Fort Hamilton Parkway and New Utrecht Avenue, in the neighborhood of Borough Park. It is served by the D train at all times. The station opened in 1916, and had its platforms extended in the 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">50th Street station (BMT West End Line)</span> New York City Subway station in Brooklyn

The 50th Street station is a local station on the BMT West End Line of the New York City Subway, located at the intersection of 50th Street and New Utrecht Avenue in Borough Park, Brooklyn. It is served by the D train at all times. The station opened in 1916, and had its platforms extended in the 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">55th Street station</span> New York City Subway station in Brooklyn

The 55th Street station is a local station on the BMT West End Line of the New York City Subway, located at the intersection of 55th Street and 13th Avenue in Borough Park, Brooklyn. It is served by the D train at all times. The station opened in 1916, and had its platforms extended in the 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">71st Street station</span> New York City Subway station in Brooklyn

The 71st Street station is a local station on the BMT West End Line of the New York City Subway, located at the intersection of 71st Street and New Utrecht Avenue in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. It is served by the D train at all times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">79th Street station (BMT West End Line)</span> New York City Subway station in Brooklyn

The 79th Street station is a local station on the BMT West End Line of the New York City Subway, located at the intersection of 79th Street and New Utrecht Avenue in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. It is served by the D train at all times. The station opened in 1916 as part of the BMT West End Line, which was upgraded into an elevated line as part of the Dual Contracts. Its platforms were extended to accommodate ten-car trains in the 1960s, and the station was renovated in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">18th Avenue station (BMT West End Line)</span> New York City Subway station in Brooklyn

The 18th Avenue station is a local station on BMT West End Line of the New York City Subway in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. It is served by the D train at all times. The station opened in 1916 as part of the BMT West End Line, which was upgraded into an elevated line as part of the Dual Contracts. Its platforms were extended to accommodate ten-car trains in the 1960s, and the station was renovated in 2012. The station is scheduled to become compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 through the installation of elevators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bay Parkway station (BMT West End Line)</span> New York City Subway station in Brooklyn

The Bay Parkway station is an express station on the BMT West End Line of the New York City Subway, located in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn at the intersection of Bay Parkway and 86th Street. The station is served by the D train at all times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">62nd Street/New Utrecht Avenue station</span> New York City Subway station in Brooklyn

The 62nd Street/New Utrecht Avenue station is a New York City Subway station complex shared by the open-cut BMT Sea Beach Line and the elevated BMT West End Line. It is located at New Utrecht Avenue and 62nd Street in Borough Park and Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, and is served by the D and N trains at all times. During rush hours, several W trains also serve this station.

References

  1. "Annual Subway Ridership (2018–2023)". Metropolitan Transportation Authority. 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  2. "BMT West End Line". BMT West End Line. Mark S. Feinman, Peggy Darlington, David Pirmann, and Ed Sachs. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Report of the Public Service Commission For The First District of the State of New York For The Year Ending December 31, 1916 Vol. 1. New York State Public Service Commission. 1917. p. 48.
  4. "Subway Service Guide" (PDF). Metropolitan Transportation Authority. September 2019. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  5. Opening of the Brooklyn, Bath and Coney Island Railroad, The New York Times June 9, 1864, page 2
  6. "Parade, Pageant Mark Celebration: Borough Park Civic Bodies and School Children Join in Festivities: West End Line Opened: First Train From Manhattan Over New "L" Extension of Dual System to Sixty-Second Street". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. June 24, 1916. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  7. "Realty Boom Is Predicted for Borough Park Section". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. June 24, 1916. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  8. "For Release Sunday, July 12, 1964" (PDF). New York City Office of the Mayor. July 12, 1964. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  9. "Repairs on the BMT To Start Next Spring". The New York Times. November 14, 1985. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  10. Manhattan Bridge Service Changes The New York Times
  11. "A Subway Map Remade, in Hopes of Matching Routes and Riders". The New York Times. February 20, 2004. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
  12. "MTA Installs Four Elevators, Other ADA Features at New Utrecht Av/62 St Station Complex". mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. July 19, 2019. Archived from the original on January 10, 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  13. Duggan, Kevin (August 17, 2021). "D train service cuts coming to southern Brooklyn for three months". amNewYork. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  14. 1 2 "Film locations for The French Connection (1971)". The Worldwide Guide to Movie Locations. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  15. Opening credits on YouTube
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