Alabama Avenue (J,Z) - The SubwayNut

Alabama Avenue is a typical station along an unique section of elevated line. The station has a single island platform between the two tracks, taking up the amount of space a middle express track would take up. Just west of the station there is a trackless structure of steel that rises up to be just above the station's canopy. This was built as a provision so a 'flying express track' could be built above the line and over the stations. Just underneath this structure a middle track comes up to the el from below, from the East New York Yard. The Broadway Junction complex is visible in the distance.

The station itself has one exit from the island platform on its western (southern) end where there's a canopied area over about two cars. There is a single staircase that leads down to the station house below the tracks where fare control is, after turning a corner there are two staircases down to the southern side of Fulton Street one at the SW corner of Alabama Avenue and one midblock half-way to the intersection of Georgia Avenue. Like this entire stretch of line, the station was renovated in 2006-07.

Starting in 1988, when the Z train was introduced, the station was a 'J' train skipped-stop with all Z trains skipping it. In May 2014 the station was converted to be an all stop, with all trains, including Z trains servicing the station. The reason for this change is poorly documented but most likely was for the convenience of MTA employees needing access to the East New York Bus Depot and Train Yard. In terms of ridership (looking at 2014 through 2019 data), Alabama Avenue is roughly the second lowest of any stop on the Skip-Stop section of the J/Z trains with plenty of 'J' or 'Z' only stops having more than double the annual ridership of Alabama Avenue.
1-16: June 25, 2008

A view of the only station sign structure along the platform at Alabama Avenue at the northeastern end that doesn't have any stained glass installed beneath it for Arts For Transit.

Looking down the long and narrow platform at Alabama Avenue with a R42 J train stopped in the station.

A Queens-bound R42 J train leaves Alabama Avenue.

A structure holding up a station sign at Alabama Avenue, there is stained glass below it and the yellow tactile warning strip shines through.

Another view down the narrow platform at Alabama Avenue, there are great views of the surrounding neighborhood since the platforms an island and there are no windscreens.

Getting closer to the small portion of the platform at Alabama Avenue that has a canopy.

The platform is just as narrow where the canopied portion is and there are benches.

A J train service sing on the Manhattan-bound side at Alabama Avenue, it's a bit complicated with Skip-stop service ect.

The one staircase off the platform at Alabama Avenue down to the station house.

The Broadway Jct station structure is viewable off in the distance from Alabama Avenue.

The metal structure without any tracks rises up just before the station at Alabama Avenue, a provision I believe for a possible center express track.

An interior view of the station house at Alabama Avenue.

The doors into the station house at Alabama Avenue streetside.

The one entrance staircase to Alabama Avenue.

Looking underneath the el at Alabama Avenue, notice how the end of the platform is quite visible.

Another view underneath the elevated at Alabama Avenue, there is plenty of light shining through between the tracks before the island platform begins.