Brooklyn - View South from LIRR East New York Station - Murder Incorporated / Goodfellas - "in My Life"

Part of the BMT elevated structure from Broadway Junction (with 4 tracks) carries part of the Atlantic Avenue Station while jogging over a block to rest atop a freight line that has just emerged from a tunnel through the Terminal Moraine. The other 2 tracks were a block to the left -- these have been completely demolished recently. Other than the 2 tracks used by the Canarsie Line, the structure had not been used since the last segment of the Fulton Street Elevated closed in 1956.

 

This has not always been a "happy" neighborhood. The headquarters of "Murder Incorporated" were near here in Brownsville (to the right) and the movie "Goodfellas" was set in the East New York area (to the left). Even in the 1970s, it was not a good idea to wander into this neighborhood, either on foot or in a vehicle. After many years, still have far too many "up close and personal" memories of the area.

 

In the last 2 decades or so the surrounding area has largely recovered and is no longer a dangerous slum

 

"There are places I remember

All my life, though some have changed

Some forever not for better

Some have gone and some remain

 

All these places had their moments

With lovers and friends

I still can recall

Some are dead and some are living

In my life I've loved them all"

 

"in My Life" - the Beatles

 

Note: despite the "antique" apperance the 14th Street / Canarsie Line was the first to be updated to CTC (computerized train control). Several formerly "depressed" neighborhoods along the line are again considered "desirable" and passenger traffic has drastically increased in recent years.

 

Until 1924 there was a passenger station just inside the tunnel portal (out of view) at the right. A stairway led down from Atlantic Avenue.

Done