The line had been built about two miles east from Bay Ridge when the company got into financial straits and was leased to The New York and Manhattan Beach Railway Company in 1878, of which Austin Corbin was president. He continued the line westward to New Lots Road, making a continuous line from Greenpoint through East New York and New Lots to Bay Ridge.
     From a point almost midway on this line, known as Manhattan Beach junction or Ocean Avenue Station, the line was continued south by The New York and Manhattan Beach Railway Company in 1877. Stations were located at South Greenfield, King's Highway and Sheepshead Bay. As it struck the Beach, it curved to the east, running back of the Manhattan Beach Hotel, with a station for the accommodation of the hotel patrons. The next stop was at Manhattan Beach Station, and finally back of the Oriental Hotel.
     All these lines when first built were narrow gauge. In 1878, they were all double tracked. The first train ran from Greenpoint to Manhattan Beach in 1878. A ferry ran from Twenty third Street, New York, to Greenpoint. Another line of steamers ran from Whitehall Street, New York, to Bay Ridge. From here the passengers were taken by rail, through Bath Beach junction, where the Brooklyn, Bath Beach and Coney Island Railroad from Greenwood to Bath Beach and Coney Island was crossed (now the West End Line of the B. M. T.) through Parkville junction on the Prospect Park and Coney Island, then to Manhattan Beach junction and down to the Beach.
     When Austin Corbin, the owner of the Manhattan Beach lines, became president of the Long Island Railroad, he built The Long Island City and Manhattan Beach Railroad from Fresh Pond junction on the old South Side Line to Cooper Street, where he connected with the Manhattan Beach Line and widened the gauge of these lines to standard gauge. This connection was built in 1883. Trains were then run from Long Island City over the Long Island Railroad to Fresh Pond junction, and down to Manhattan Beach. The line from Greenpoint to the South Side crossing was abandoned and destroyed. From here to Cooper Street it has remained to this day as a single track freight branch known as the Evergreen Branch.

The following January Sharp resigned as receiver and Austin Corbin was appointed as receiver in his place by the Supreme Court. He had been elected the president of the railroad in December, 1880. By October, 1881, the railroad was returned to its directors under Austin Corbin as president.

The Manhattan Beach Lines--The start of the line to Manhattan Beach was made when the Glendale and East River Railroad Company, chartered in 1874, constructed its line in 1877. As this line is now abandoned, it may be of interest to trace its route. The Greenpoint terminus was on the East River between Oak and Calyer Streets. It went down West Street past Quay Street to North Fifteenth Street, and down that street to a station at "Fifth Street" (now Driggs Avenue), curved through McCarren Park to Graham Avenue, and ran down Richardson Street with a station at "Humboldt Street." The line then went between Richardson and Frost Streets to Vanderveer Avenue, then curved and headed straight for the crossing over the South Side Railroad at Montrose and Carick Avenues. There were stations at "Grand Street" and at "South Side Crossing." From here the line was continued to Flushing Avenue and Jefferson Street. It was the original intention to construct the road to Glendale, but the road was terminated at this point. It was bought by The New York and Manhattan Beach Railway Company in 1876, just before it was completed. From this point to East New York the line was continued by The New York and Manhattan Beach Railway Company in 1877 over an unconstructed route leased from the Brooklyn and Rockaway Beach Railroad. This is now known as the Evergreen Branch of the Long Island Railroad. The line was also continued south to New Lots Road.
     The New York, Bay Ridge and Jamaica Railroad Company was incorporated in 1875 to build from Bay Ridge to Jamaica.

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