Brighton Beach Train Station is an elevated express and terminal station on the BMT Brighton Line of the New York City Subway, located over Brighton Beach Avenue between Brighton 5th Street and Brighton 7th Street in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. The station is served by the Q train at all times and is the southern terminal for the B train on weekdays only.
History of Brighton Beach Train Station
The Brighton Beach Train Station opened on July 2, 1878, as part of an excursion railroad called the Brooklyn, Flatbush and Coney Island Railway. This railway was responsible for transporting beachgoers from downtown Brooklyn to the seashore at Coney Island. During the 1964-1965 fiscal year, work was underway to lengthen the platforms to accommodate longer trains. The station was later renovated during the 1990s.
Station Layout and Features
Brighton Beach Train Station has two island platforms and four tracks. The weekday-only B train (Brighton Express/Sixth Avenue Express) originates and terminates here on the inner express tracks, while the full-time Q train (Brighton Local/Broadway Express) stops here on the outer local tracks and continues to and from Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue.
The platforms are canopied for their entire length, except for small portions at either end. There are two elevated structures above the express tracks used for office and maintenance space. The station has two entrances/exits, both of which are elevated station houses beneath the tracks.
Entrance and Exits
The full-time side is at the north end and has two staircases from each platform, a large waiting area inside fare control, regular turnstile bank, and token booth. Outside of fare control, there are three street stairs, two that join at the station house balcony and go down to either southern corners of Brighton 7th Street and Brighton Beach Avenue, and one to the northwest corner. Instead of a staircase, the northeast corner has a narrow, enclosed escalator that always goes up and can only be used to enter the station.
The second station house has a single staircase from each platform and a pair of twin staircases going down to either side of Brighton Beach Avenue between Brighton Fifth and Brighton Sixth Streets. The token booth and regular turnstile bank here is only open weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Two HEET turnstiles provide access to/from this entrance at other times.
Renovations and Artwork
This station was renovated in the mid to late 1990s, which included the installation of decorative awnings on all street stairs. The 1999 artwork here is called “Mermaid/Dionysus and the Pirates” by Dan George and features aluminum sculptures on both platforms.
Accessibility and Connections
Brighton Beach Train Station is an important transportation hub for the Brighton Beach neighborhood and the surrounding area. The station is fully accessible, with elevators and escalators providing easy access to the platforms.
In addition to the subway service, the station is also served by several bus routes, including the B1, B36, and B68 buses. This makes it a convenient connection point for those traveling to and from the area by public transportation.
Conclusion
Brighton Beach Train Station is a historic and iconic subway stop that has served the Brighton Beach community for over a century. With its unique architecture, artwork, and transportation connections, it is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the vibrant neighborhoods of Brooklyn.
References:
– Subwaystats.com – Brighton Beach Station
– MTA – B Line Map
– Wikipedia – BMT Brighton Line
– Wikipedia – Brighton Beach Station (BMT Brighton Line)