The Historic Train Bridge in Council Bluffs, Iowa, is a remarkable piece of history that has spanned time for over a century. Constructed initially as a swing bridge over the mighty Missouri River, this bridge once connected two bustling cities - Council Bluffs and Omaha. Under the ownership of the Canadian National Railway, this bridge stands testament to the industrial era that thrived in the 19th century.

When it first swung open in 1873, it was no ordinary swing. At a staggering length of 521 feet, it held the record for being the longest swing bridge at that time. The grand structure would sway to let the steamboats pass, a testament to both human ingenuity and the relentless flow of the river below.

However, progress marches on and in 1904, another bridge was built downstream. This one was called the Union Pacific Missouri River Bridge, and it had an air of modernity to it. It stood 62 feet above the river, a little higher than its predecessor. Interestingly, it used the piers from the older bridge, integrating old with new in a seamless fashion.

Today, this historic train bridge stands tall at 1,750 feet, a testament to the past that still echoes in the present. While closed off for traffic now, it continues to capture the imagination of visitors and locals alike. The next time you visit, listen closely as if the bridge could whisper its stories - tales of olden times when the world was still being connected by rails and rivers.