BMT West End Line | |
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The D train serves the entire BMT West End Line at all times.
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Overview | |
Type | Rapid transit |
System | New York City Subway |
Termini |
Ninth Avenue Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue |
Stations | 13 |
Operation | |
Opened | 1916–1918 |
Owner | City of New York |
Operator(s) | New York City Transit Authority |
Character | Open Cut (Ninth Avenue only) Elevated |
Technical | |
Number of tracks | 3–6 |
Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
Electrification | 600V DC third rail |
The BMT West End Line is a line of the New York City Subway, serving the Brooklyn communities of 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 at this time.
The elevated line, originally mapped as the New Utrecht Avenue Line (though the common name prevailed after construction), replaced the surface West End 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.
The line was originally a surface railway to Coney Island, called the Brooklyn, Bath and Coney Island Railroad. 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.
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. 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.