West 8th Street-NY Aquarium - Least Used Stations | Q Train - NYC Subway

The West 8th Street-NY Aquarium station is known for its intricate design & its proximity to Coney Island, but you'd be surprised to also learn that this station is the least used on the (Q) Line. In this video, we explore the history of the station, and talk about why it is so low on the ridership rankings.
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#NYCSubway #West8thStreet #ConeyIsland

[@MysticTransit]

Hey everyone! I know I didn’t put the “This Is” & “The next stop is” announcements at the beginning and end of the video, but I’m trying a new approach to creating these videos. I want the final 3 videos, the R, W, and Frankie Shuttle to be a surprise. Anyway, enjoy the video!

[@josephrosner905]

i never knew the frankie shuttle existed. i know the franklin av. shuttle but not the frankie one. im excited to see that vid tho

[@josephrosner905]

aww i was so excited for that vid thinking it was a whole new line

[@Animal_grew728]

Dont forget the Z 😂, useless but still counts

[@VillainousHanacha]

Besides going to the Aquarium, this station does have one other use for south Brooklynites: it is the closest stop to the DMV, allowing you to skip both the longer trip and the bigger crowds of the Atlantic DMV. Because of that, I'm actually kind of surprised that this is the least used Q station and not Neck Rd which always felt so useless to me. I suppose the numbers don't lie though. Great video as always Mystic!

[@SRPhantoms]

Neck Rd isn't useless 😢even tho the Ave U station is like 5 mins away lol

[@VillainousHanacha]

@@SRPhantoms ultimately having a station between Sheepshead and U is a good idea, I just think Neck Rd is a bad place for it (as opposed to Beverly Rd, which feels like it could just disappear and nothing would really change). Even just putting it one Avenue south on W would make a bit more sense, as it is now I can see the Neck Rd platform from U. Though I suppose it's useful for all the people who live near Neck Rd and Ave W.

[@SRPhantoms]

@@VillainousHanacha ave x would be the perfect placement for the station if it wanted to perfectly divide Avenue U and sheepshead yeah

[@WebSoak]

I really like that the stations at Coney Island fit in with the beach and theme park aesthetic

[@Hehhnsbz2334]

I'm not so thrilled about the no-ADA aesthetic of the West 8 St/NY Aquarium, Ocean Pkwy, and Brighton Beach stations. None of the Q stations between Coney Island/Stillwell Av and Kings Hwy is ADA-compliant.

[@jonathantullin9906]

That station is very high up. That alone is why people go to Ocean Parkway or Stillwell Avenue, Coney Island.

[@ithinkyouknow]

The bird poop issue is honestly such an unspoken of problem in the elevated subways these days.

[@nyctransitrailfan]

The problem is solved when the station gets those spike thingies, I don’t know what they’re called, but they prevent birds from sitting on top of canopy roofs, I’ve seen them on the newly renewed J train stops

[@MysticTransit]

I've also seen those spikes on some of the stations on the elevated part of the (3) Line. Also, nice to see you in the comments @ithinkyouknow !

[@calladioiniaferstar]

Also a major Problem all But one Staten Island Rail Stations

[@FalconsEye58094]

Too bad about that elevated walkway, it added to the visual appeal, it was pretty cool looking and more like it could be beneficial

[@MysticTransit]

Yeah, it probably was beneficial. It's a shame that Transit opted to just tear it down instead of renovating it.

[@_selvarajg_]

Mystic back with the W Videos as always

[@velocitypl]

w w

[@_selvarajg_]

@@jaybanxz I don’t plan on making videos on YT but I’m mainly doing content on my Instagram

[@masondela7947]

Nah the w vid comes after the r

[@St4rBoyRailfanning]

@@masondela7947 exactly and I’m gonna guess it’s likely 36 Av.

[@KSAPCreator]

@@_selvarajg_godly profile pic

[@apexhunter935]

I miss this series. You could also say that it isn't as well used since coney island - stillwell av is a major transit hub in southern brooklyn for both subway lines and bus routes

[@JoseNunez-hh1yr]

Retired C/R here. Except the final configuration of the Frankie(20 round trips on the midnight back in the '80s, when it looked like a haunted house ride😮.), I think the MTA is done closing stations(not platforms). My vote would have been Neptune Av, but you're right about neighborhood density dictating placement.

[@Mrbeahz1]

A typical trip to Coney means get off the Q OR F at W. 8th St., Walk out to the street to ride the Cyclone, or walk the ramp to the Boardwalk. From there turn left to see the excellent NY aquarium, or just go down to the beach. When you're done, go back up to the boardwalk, turn left and ride the Wonder Wheel, check out Luna Park, eat fried clams and corn on the cob at the many food stands, have some drinks at Ruby's, go into the arcades and play some Skee-Ball. Head farther west towards the Parachute Jump, and if you can't catch a Mets minor league baseball game at least go to the batting cages nearby. Lastly, leave the boardwalk and head up Stillwell Ave. to get to Nathan's (best hot dogs this side of Houston Street - and I really like their fries). The Q, F, N, and D trains all have terminals at Stillwell to take you back.

[@monica012077]

The sunset view over Luna Park here is gorgeous.

[@NtGoat_AKA_Goatie]

I can’t even argue with you on that. This always seems like the station that gets slept on a lot 😴

[@extremeking425]

Im actually surprised by this, because so many people go to the Aquarium.

[@Hehhnsbz2334]

There's also a significant amount of housing within walking distance.

[@rahmel2009]

i would’ve thought it would’ve been something like Neck Road, Avenue H or Beverley/Cortelyou as they are one block apart

[@pelosuelto70]

It’s also walking distance to Coney Island as well.

[@MaxLevinton]

i love this stop!!!!! i was just there a month ago and it was cool going up the spiral stairs

[@MysticTransit]

Agreed!

[@MTAProdigy]

West 8 st station is crucial when its the summer time. Especially when you have folks coming out of the aquarium, luna park and the beach, making W8 a crucial station for that purpose. Yes, you're spot on with the reasons of having the station there. The views is amazing, and railfanning at W8 is a recommendation for everyone

[@michaelmorales1475]

This one was actually kinda shocking ngl.

[@michaelmorales1475]

But I understand why. I just thought it'd be Cortelyou Road.

[@kweenah.dknight]

I love the old NYC feel when exiting onto West 8th Street on the north side of the platform. It's so eerie, graffitied and desolate and right below the tracks. And I also love seeing the trains zip between West 8th Street and Ocean Pkwy on West Brighton Ave. There is just something about it being so high and riding in between the nearby buildings. Great video and can't wait for Summer

[@markfriedman5358]

Great job I haven't seen this station in years. Love the views.

[@unassumption1027]

i also believe a large reason for the demolition of the walkway was because of extensive damage from hurricane sandy, which occurred just shy of a year before it was finally gutted. Coming from someone that used to use the station frequently to commute to school :)

[@NONAME-ni1eg]

I always get off at this station when visiting Coney Island because of the cyclone being right outside

[@dropatrain]

oh man we used to always get off on this stop to avoid the crowds at coney island. Loved taking the walkway to the aquarium, sad about that being torn down.

[@blueblobfish69]

This is one of my favorite stations, glad to see a video about it

[@robotx9285]

3:21 Goddamn it, that means the B/D express used to run all the way to Coney Island instead of Brighton Breach, it's always just so strange to me that they would have express trains terminate earlier compared to locals...Turns out Express trains were able to run to Coney without merging onto the local tracks.

[@SleepyRaccoon]

My family used to get off at this station when going to Coney Island. I don't know why, but yeah they did.

[@victorharderson8782]

Visited this station back in 2003 but would definitely love to go back.. I’ll be in New York in a bit over five weeks so I’m adding it to my list Thanks for the great video

[@ultra10yt26]

the king is back! Love ur content- 10 year railfan

[@MysticTransit]

I'm glad you enjoy the content!

[@syrax101]

Ahhh the nostalgia… I never knew they torn down the overlook at the aquarium. They must have torn it down around the very last time I was there which was like 10 years ago. Subway system is funny sometimes. I love my Bedford-Nostrand train stop on the G… Its humongous for no reason and it’s one of the few stations you have to be in shape in order to catch the train… lmao love the vids!

[@thebignastyone1984]

It was torn down 10 years ago (2013)

[@PatricioGarcia1973]

The walkway was managed by three parts. On the station side it was MTA, on the boardwalk side it was the NYC parks department. The part over the road was supposed to be NYC DOT that took care of it, but never did so it fell into disrepair and ended up bringing it down..

[@cliffpadilla5871]

I get off at this station whenever I have to go to the DMV.

[@michellethompson667]

Cool video. Have you seen the updated R211 screens recently? If so, can you make a vid on it?

[@nyctransitrailfan]

You should do Mets willets point next, the station is so empty except for when there is a Mets game or special events on the area, the ridership is low cause the surrounded area is basically inhabitable, there is barely anyone living near

[@bl00dkillz]

Or if you wanted to go to corona park

[@Qart_]

Never knew it was the least used, cool station tho, overall nice video

[@VianoMusicAcademy]

Maybe the reason there are no indented seats on the North side is that it may not be necessary to have that many seats, with it being the penultimate stop to Coney Island.

[@VictoriaInahuazo]

growing up i would rely more on w 8th st than stillwell since the main astroland park (now luna park) would be closer to astroland plus the old walkway to the beach. couldn’t miss out on that.

[@charcasc7462]

Whenever I take F or Q to Coney Island I always get off at this station and proceed to the attractions from there. I miss the big ramp. But like the fact that not too many people get off here and ride until the end of the line.

[@TheMusicalElitist]

I'm guessing Geoff Marshall is an influence? Great vid!

[@commercialcritic4676]

Sweet!

[@jonathantullin9906]

It is very nice once you get up there. I agree.💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@calvinkendrick851]

Fun fact: I can say this is a special station for me because I share the same May 19th birthday. 😁 But it’s a little hard to believe that this is the least used station on the Q. I wonder how this isn’t a least used Station on the F as well. I would think that Beverley Road would be one of the least used stations because it is literally one block away from Cortelyou Road which has a little strip of small businesses and grocery stores while Beverley doesn’t. However for this West 8th street station, if enough people are aware that it’s also filthy in this station, that will be a contributing factor for people avoiding getting on or off this station. Just like Atlantic Avenue on the Canarsie L line. Hopefully they’ll rebuild that overpass leading back to the aquarium. Interesting how Station is designed a little nicer than the Stillwell Avenue stop.

[@jonathantullin9906]

I would also add Avenue H and Neck Rd to that list as well. Because it is all residential stops where no bus traffic is accessible to those stations

[@S1mpl3YouTube]

Less go another banger video, also can you make a video about R68 please? No one makes videos about it 😢

[@MysticTransit]

I'll consider it in the near future.

[@dominic5386]

We'd always use this station heading over to the beach and aquarium, albeit on the culver line, less people would walk that ways towards the sea, shame they ripped out the walkway though

[@EpicThe112]

On the East End of the station's towards Brighton Beach BMT BML tracks there are abandoned tracks from there to the BMT Culver Tracks. They should be reactivated if the F train can't reach 6th Avenue line via Culver and Crosstown lines. The announcements would be manhattan-bound F train via the Q line from Coney Island to Brighton Beach and then F train via the B line Brighton Beach to Bleecker Street IND platforms. Then Normal route after that

[@JoseNunez-hh1yr]

Those tracks were abandoned because Track 1 at Stillwell serves that exact purpose. Arriving S/B F trains (and all yard movements from CIYD ) go through to Brighton Beach. During the Renovation, this track was left alone until the end, then worked around, never interrupting that vital link.

[@empirestate8791]

Those surface parking lots really ought to be replaced with some high-rises.

[@brianmohammed1790]

cool video

[@MysticTransit]

Thanks!

[@grubbinsstuff5063]

4:10 did that area get replaced by a bus yard?

[@josephrosner905]

can u pls make a least used station vid about the rockaway shuttle?

[@belenvidals]

@josephrosner905 he already did

[@Theunknown13432]

Mystic Transit i have a req for you, rank all of the train yards in the subway system

[@ELST1D]

Being from that area,I thought it would be Neck Road

[@patrickfraleyjr2819]

I can see why you want the last 3 lines to be a surprise; however, who not do the 42nd, Lefferts, or Rockaway shuttles, or even the (Z) in the series?

[@MysticTransit]

The 42nd St Shuttle's station is pretty obvious, Grand Central-42nd St. That deserves it's own video outside of the Least Used Stations series. The Lefferts Shuttle isn't well known, and I'd rather not have to come outside at 1 AM to film it lmao. The Rockaway Shuttle has already been covered with the Broad Channel/Beach 105th Street video. And the (Z)... I don't like to acknowledge that line's existence.

[@patrickfraleyjr2819]

@@MysticTransit If there's one thing all New Yorkers can agree, it's that the (Z) is useless

[@patrickfraleyjr2819]

I did also forgot about the Broad Street/Beach 105th Street video

[@rahmel2009]

my predictions R: A Bay Ridge Station Franklin Shuttle: Park Place W: an astoria station

[@Aviation12]

Here's another reason why it's so poorly used: all those parking craters choking the station of life. I expect better land use and TOD from NYC.

[@williamerazo3921]

Boy you film the Fs on RH other times it will take forever

[@ariesmichaelsayan4013]

Taking the bridge down also lowered the usage.

[@Thatgamingdiary]

2:37 That F train is looking like it’s stugguling stopping. Someone help him (The F train)

[@bbrauer5]

Wonder where you got this idea for this video

[@PhantomThiefOfSports]

It doesn't help that the other entrance to the station is a pain to get to because you have to walk around to a path behind the complex just to get there

[@nathanieldaiken1064]

Demolished the walkeay due to muggings?

[@BMTEnjoyer160]

It’s tall btw

[@konstantinohhh]

90% of all Coney Island bound F trains essentially terminate here. They stop for 5-10 min, GUARANTEED. You can walk to stillwell av faster. There’s no warning either. The backups affect more F trains at Neptune av as well. What a crock of shiiiii

[@noahnorman6877]

First

[@karinamoran1330]

I live 1 station away from here...

[@gerbs139]

104 years ago?

[@jeremyjean5421]

This really pissed me off, when they tore down the bridge from the station to the aquarium, I swear people be taking steps backwards, yall can easily just make a new bridge better then the last one

[@rahmel2009]

the reason why this station has such low ridership is because you could walk to coney island

[@williamerazo3921]

Who has been to the aquarium?

[@itzaribtw5083]

Bro use west 8 for school and dollar tree but my school is at Oceanparkway🤫

[@zamraza1110]

Dude bird poop me 😡😡😡