The Nevins Street Subway station in Brooklyn is a unique stop on the IRT Brooklyn Line, serving the 2, 3, 4, and 5 trains. Unlike many underground stations, Nevins Street boasts an unusual layout, primarily due to its close proximity to the street surface. This article delves into the distinctive features of Nevins Street subway, exploring its history, design, and the secrets hidden beneath its platforms.
Image: A view down one of the narrow staircases leading to the underpass at Nevins Street station, facilitating transfers between different train directions.
One of the most striking aspects of the Nevins Street subway station is its shallow depth. This limited space meant that the station couldn’t accommodate a traditional mezzanine level above the express tracks. Instead, Nevins Street subway features separate fare control areas located directly on each platform at the eastern end. These areas are remarkably narrow, barely wider than the platforms themselves. Access to each platform is via staircases leading up to a small area housing turnstiles, a token booth (full-service on the Brooklyn-bound side, Station Customer Assistant Agent on the Manhattan-bound side), and a couple of MVMs (MetroCard Vending Machines). From these cramped fare control zones, two staircases ascend to Flatbush Avenue, nestled between Nevins and Livingston Streets.
Despite the lack of a conventional mezzanine, Nevins Street subway cleverly incorporates an underpass situated in the middle of the station. This underpass provides a vital free transfer point between trains operating in opposite directions. This feature enhances passenger convenience within the station.
Image: A perspective along the Flatbush Avenue and New Lots Avenue-bound platform at Nevins Street, highlighting its characteristic narrow width.
While Nevins Street subway underwent renovations, some argue that this process diminished some of its original 1908 charm. The track walls are lined with white tiles and feature decorative tiling. Instead of a traditional trim-line, the station incorporates tiles displaying the letter “N” in a modern Times New Roman font at intervals, along with lines of darker tiles that create a squared pattern on the walls. However, as a nod to its history, each platform proudly displays a single, preserved 1908 name tablet on the track walls, presented almost as a museum piece. The platforms themselves are notably narrow and punctuated by numerous columns, a mix of newer, slender I-beams and older, round columns, particularly concentrated near the station’s center.
Adding to the intrigue of Nevins Street subway is its hidden secret: an abandoned lower-level shell of a platform and trackway situated beneath the active platforms. Intriguingly, the current underpass, facilitating transfers between the operating platforms, cuts directly through this abandoned level. Locked doors within the underpass area provide glimpses into this subterranean relic. This lower level was conceived as part of the original 1907 IRT Brooklyn subway plans, intended for connections to numerous other subway lines in Brooklyn – connections that ultimately never materialized. For those keen to explore further, resources like Abandoned Subway Stations offer more in-depth information on this fascinating aspect of Nevins Street subway.
Image: Detail of an ornate staircase at Nevins Street, leading down to the underpass and crossunder area, showcasing the station’s architectural elements.
Adding an artistic touch to the station, Nevins Street subway is part of the Arts For Transit program. The station features “Work and Nature,” a 1997 porcelain enamel artwork by Anton van Dalen. This public art installation enhances the station environment for commuters.
In conclusion, the Nevins Street subway station is more than just a transit hub; it’s a unique piece of New York City’s subway history. Its unusual layout, the remnants of its 1908 design, and the intriguing abandoned lower level, combined with public art, make Nevins Street subway a station worth discovering.
