For photos please see www nycsubway.org

NYCT uses H to refer to this Shuttle for in house use. This site will follow this practice. This entire line was a former LIRR line and platforms hold 12 cars each of 85 foot length. The entire line is being renovated by WDF except for Beach 116^th Street which has already been done

Broad Channel (East 8^th Road at West Road) opened 6/28/1956:  This station is a clear example of NYCT converting the station from LIRR to subway use.  Like other station conversions along the Rockaways, there are pre-1950 LIRR footprints left behind.  One is an abandoned entrance at the very north end of the S/B platform with steps, a sign “Exit Only” gives the indication that this exit was converted to exit only when the line was already acquired by NYCTA for the 1956 conversion.  The other gives the appearance of an extra long platform (like Aqueduct and Howard Beach stations.), plus possible evidence of an island platform on the Rockaway-bound side. Original 1956 engraved directional signs to street are on both platform walls.  The H Rockaway shuttle starts here,

After leaving Broad Channel, we take another deep breath and cross the South Channel Bridge before entering the Rockaways.  Before we split up, the Rockaway-bound track depresses below the Manhattan-bound track to allow use to diverge left.  The H shuttle trains diverge to the  left and in the middle of the diverge is Hammels Tower, fully functional and in use.  This section is called Hammels Wye for its triangular track configuration.  While the Far Rockaway track continues east and the Rockaway Park tracks continue west, a single .60 mile track connects both branches.  This track was used in regular service during late night “round robin” moves of the H shuttle.  The late night H shuttle started from Euclid Ave and would travel to Rockaway Park first.  After a brief layover, the H would double back to Beach 90^th Street, then use the single track long Hammels Wye to connect with the Far Rockaway branch.  The train would run to Far Rockaway, then another layover and the train would return back to Euclid Ave along the regular A route.  This service was tedious for several reasons: 

1. It would cause problems for a rider to get to a Far Rockaway station from any station Broad Channel or north because the lightly patronized Rockaway Park branch would be the first stops.
2. Any early bird customer from the 4 Rockaway Park stations, would have to travel to the Far Rockaway branch first before turning forward towards Brooklyn and Manhattan.
3. Most times customers would make a quick dash to double back at Beach 90^th Street (to go towards Far Rockaway), or Beach 60^th Street (to go towards Euclid Ave), and be one train ahead, and it does work.  But the few times where the opposing train just left is too much of a hassle to wait 20 minutes for the same train they were on to come back, as well as the general safety of the area at night.

In 1990, NYCT made one of the smartest moves by figuring out the Far Rockaway branch had more late night ridership than the Rockaway Park or even the Lefferts Blvd branch.  In doing so, the A to Far Rockaway was now assigned as the full time 24/7, while the late night shuttle service was introduced from Euclid Ave to Lefferts Blvd, and the H continued service as a 24/7 shuttle between Broad Channel and Rockaway Park.  In addition, five A trains from Rockaway Park were added during the AM and PM rush, in the peak direction only (They leave RP at about 6:39 to 8:09 AM, and from 59^th Street/Columbus Circle at about 4:19 to 5:40 PM, every 20 minutes.)   

WDF is renovating All stations up  to and including Beach 105 plus all stations on the Far Rockaway side except for  Mott Avenue for which the contractor is not known

Beach 90^th Street Holland has two tracks and two wall platforms and is on a concrete viaduct. New lights have been installed. There is a crossunder to the tile mezzanine. Canopies are wood and have numerous holes and even missing sections. The station has no benches on the platforms. Lower side wall is wood (over metal.) Upper side wall is metal. Southbound has an extra exit on the south end which has been sealed and street stairs removed.

Beach 98^th Street Playland has two tracks and two wall platforms and is on a concrete viaduct. New lights have been installed. There is a crossunder to the tile mezzanine this station windscreen the home of Rockaway Playland which has gone into New York history. No trace remains other than the station name. The southbound platform is longer. the North end of the southbound platform has an extra exit which is sealed Canopies, Mezzanine and side walls are like 90^th Street and are in need of even more TLC.

Beach 105^th Street Seaside has two tracks and two wall platforms and is on a concrete viaduct. New lights have been installed. There is a crossunder to the tile mezzanine resembles 90^th Street and has a sealed extra exit at the north end of the southbound platform. One stairway on the northbound platform is closed for "emergency repairs from 6/25/04 until 9/26/04. " Time will tell if the stairway is reopened. Leaving here we descend to the surface.

Beach 116^th Street Rockaway Park has two tracks, an island platform and is at grade level. Yard tracks are on each side of the active tracks. The massive station house is at grade level and is concrete with windows. It also houses a police facility . An examination of the station house shows the former ticket windows.  According to the MTA Web site "...K K Kozik

First on the Beach and Wednesday Night Fireworks, 2008.Laminated glass in the station building interior windows

Laminated glass artwork on the two interior clerestory windows evoke night and day in Rockaway Park. One window shows a timeless interlude on the beach, complete with unfurling towels as beachgoers stake out space on a bright sunny day. On the opposite wall, a night sky over the beach and ocean is transformed with bursts of fireworks, as rapt families and neighbors gather to watch the Wednesday night summer tradition unfold.

Artist K K Kozik created the originals in pastel and her drawings were transformed into the glass panels that capture the detail and expressive palette of her summer day and night. The building is the terminal station in Rockaway Park and serves as a focal point for the tight-knit community."

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 Last revised 01/25/2011

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