The station opened on February 23, 1886.[4] Constructed of wood, it had two high-level side platforms designed with Victorian features. A stationhouse and overpass were located in the center of the station, with the stationhouse sitting on the southern (eastbound) platform.[5] West of the station, the line crossed an eight-foot high suspension bridge over Bodine Creek towards Port Richmond. The low clearance of the bridge attracted some individuals to fish and crab from the trestle, leading to several accidents.[6][7] The low bridge was replaced with a concrete trestle between 1935 and 1937, ending just west of West Brighton station.[2][4][5][8] The station closed on March 31, 1953, along with the rest of the North Shore branch as well as the South Beach branch.[4][5]
West New Brighton is one of the stations to be returned to operation under the proposals for reactivation of the North Shore branch for rapid transit, light rail, or bus rapid transit service.[1][2] Though New York City owns the right-of-way of the line at the former station site,[2] its location on developed property has made it difficult to restore service on the North Shore Branch line. The Arlington bound tracks of the right-of-way have been removed entirely and the Saint George bound tracks were left in place after freight operations ceased in the late 80's and were filled in with wood planks by the property owner and paved over for truck use at the dockyard location, although they have started to become visible through wear and tear of the paved roadway along the site Kill Van Kull.[1][2][9]
