1987 Home Video Documents Train Ride From Union Square to Coney Island

This is a 1987 home movie made by video artist Nelson Sullivan. There is no plot to this video, nor anything that really stands out as a main focal point... it is just a typical home movie from the 1980s. What does make it worth watching is the glimpse of what the subway, and City, was like in the 80s, and seeing just how much it has changed today.

It may look dirty and full of graffiti and litter, but many of the commenters on YouTube seem to really miss it.

This is the NYC that I miss dearly. I grew up in the 70s and 80s where even though this city was dirty and had high crime, the city also had culture and lots of flavor, great music etc etc.

What is interesting is in 1987 "the people" had the freedom to do as they wanted without police bothering. This guy Me No shirt,..is happily sleeping at 1:00 Today the cops would make him sit up or arrest him.

And as far as the trains go, its good to see real trains on there. Glad to see those R40 Slants. Those were real trains WAY BEFORE the New Tech Train takeover!

Matt Coneybeare

Matt Coneybeare

Editor in Chief

Matt enjoys exploring the City's with his partner and son. He is an avid marathon runner, and spends most of his time eating, running, and working on cool stuff.

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