Iam not sure when the bridge was torn down but this was known as the crooked train bridge as a kid because at some point in time the top was pushed during one of our many floods until it went crooked hence the name crooked train bridge
My grandmother had house across the street(Diagonal) from Bell yards.(Grays Lake side) We crossed that bridge when walking to downtown Des Moines when I was al little kid. (1940 to 1947) Also my grandfather was killed on the tracks just before the bridge.
So um, yea, unfortunately not possible. This 100+ year old magnificent and historical structure was torn down by the city of Des Moines in 2005 in an agreement with the bridge's owner at the time, Norfolk Southern Railway, as I recall. At taxpayer expense of course, with an even more pathetic excuse of a report to validate the necessity of doing so. To your point, however, this was a Chicago Great Western bridge in its heyday, connecting to the fairly recently active Bell Avenue Railyard, once one of the major railyards in the city. Here's the kicker: not but hardly two miles from this video's right of way looking southwest, is the trailhead for the... you guessed it... "Great Western Trail" which utilizes this exact line right of way as a bike/etc. trail to Martensdale, Iowa and originates in Water Works Park. The city of Des Moines, in its ever abundant logical rationale, failed to connect those two points; excruciatingly so as at the time of demolition in 2005, the "Great Western Trail" was one of the most popular trails in the metro and would have also added historical flare to the absolutely burgeoning Gray's Lake Park trail and recreation network. And even more painfully, the very large historical Chicago Northwestern truss bridge just east of the Scott Street Bridge at the confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers, has also been torn down in an eerily similar matter instead of preserving its historical status. Railroads are one of, if not the, single most influential utility that made both Iowa and Des Moines what they are today. It's just sad is all, with the misappropriations and whathaveyou.
Why do you good people have to go and add music to this awesome video footage ... sorry, nothing against music, but it ruined it for me, only becuz I'd much rather hear the actual sounds of the outdoor surroundings, there where this is. There's nothing like it.
Long ago back in the nineties, kids used to jump off the bridge into the raccoon river, when kids used to do that type of activity. Anyhow, one fateful day, three kids went on the bridge, and two jumped in while the third kept watch. Only one of the two that jumped resurfaced. The other was never found. Was on the local news back when. Now you know.
Actually, I have to agree with you here. There is nothing to be learned about Des Moines history. The video lacked any historic informational value. Uninteresting.
@@mulekickhandmadeguitars8465 To the uninitiated, perhaps. To those who got to experience this bridge before its 2005 demolition, yes it does in fact contain great historical value; not only as a video record (anything on this bridge is very hard to come by), but also as a trip down memory lane when railroads ruled Des Moines and the whole state. The structure was built in 1910 I believe, and won't be replaced as the line was abandoned long even before its demolition. There's history here, you only need the right questions and certainly not incorrect assumptions.
@@erpfanatic6586 I have great affection for all things Des Moines history. Rather than questioning the historical value of the bridge itself, I merely found no real value in the video. No disrespect intended.
For the age of that bridge, it's amazing it is still standing despite the rust and neglect. I like railroad bridges. Good video by the way!
Thank you again JD for taking us along on another journey.
Iam not sure when the bridge was torn down but this was known as the crooked train bridge as a kid because at some point in time the top was pushed during one of our many floods until it went crooked hence the name crooked train bridge
I was told that was the CB&Q/ CM&StP transfer bridge. It did lead into Bell Ave. yard, but it belonged to the CB&Q.
My grandmother had house across the street(Diagonal) from Bell yards.(Grays Lake side) We crossed that bridge when walking to downtown Des Moines when I was al little kid. (1940 to 1947) Also my grandfather was killed on the tracks just before the bridge.
question if I may> there are 2 TWO bumper blocks on each rail, were "drill moves" from the other end permitted to this point being made??? TY
That Bridge Kick's total Ass!,4:04
Should be made into a bicycle trail by taking out the tracks and paving the trail. Cost might be a bit steep.
So um, yea, unfortunately not possible. This 100+ year old magnificent and historical structure was torn down by the city of Des Moines in 2005 in an agreement with the bridge's owner at the time, Norfolk Southern Railway, as I recall. At taxpayer expense of course, with an even more pathetic excuse of a report to validate the necessity of doing so.
To your point, however, this was a Chicago Great Western bridge in its heyday, connecting to the fairly recently active Bell Avenue Railyard, once one of the major railyards in the city. Here's the kicker: not but hardly two miles from this video's right of way looking southwest, is the trailhead for the... you guessed it... "Great Western Trail" which utilizes this exact line right of way as a bike/etc. trail to Martensdale, Iowa and originates in Water Works Park.
The city of Des Moines, in its ever abundant logical rationale, failed to connect those two points; excruciatingly so as at the time of demolition in 2005, the "Great Western Trail" was one of the most popular trails in the metro and would have also added historical flare to the absolutely burgeoning Gray's Lake Park trail and recreation network. And even more painfully, the very large historical Chicago Northwestern truss bridge just east of the Scott Street Bridge at the confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers, has also been torn down in an eerily similar matter instead of preserving its historical status. Railroads are one of, if not the, single most influential utility that made both Iowa and Des Moines what they are today. It's just sad is all, with the misappropriations and whathaveyou.
cool Metallica Hellyeah!,3:15
cool like wild Fire!,1:06
Why do you good people have to go and add music to this awesome video footage ... sorry, nothing against music, but it ruined it for me, only becuz I'd much rather hear the actual sounds of the outdoor surroundings, there where this is. There's nothing like it.
Yes, I got into adding sounds and music ... the unedited audio is dominated by my footsteps which gets tiresome as well.
How and why is the bridge haunted? What's the story?
Long ago back in the nineties, kids used to jump off the bridge into the raccoon river, when kids used to do that type of activity. Anyhow, one fateful day, three kids went on the bridge, and two jumped in while the third kept watch. Only one of the two that jumped resurfaced. The other was never found. Was on the local news back when. Now you know.
it was given to the city of DSM years ago by the BN and guess who footed the bill for it's removal? the city, once more the public got railroaded.
that was weak.
They should’ve made it part of the bike trails very close by. That demolition had to be costly
Y such sad music
This video was very childish of no historic value!
your comment is childish and the only value it has is in letting others tell you what a child of no value that you are
Actually, I have to agree with you here. There is nothing to be learned about Des Moines history. The video lacked any historic informational value. Uninteresting.
@@mulekickhandmadeguitars8465 To the uninitiated, perhaps. To those who got to experience this bridge before its 2005 demolition, yes it does in fact contain great historical value; not only as a video record (anything on this bridge is very hard to come by), but also as a trip down memory lane when railroads ruled Des Moines and the whole state. The structure was built in 1910 I believe, and won't be replaced as the line was abandoned long even before its demolition. There's history here, you only need the right questions and certainly not incorrect assumptions.
@@erpfanatic6586 I have great affection for all things Des Moines history. Rather than questioning the historical value of the bridge itself, I merely found no real value in the video. No disrespect intended.
@@mulekickhandmadeguitars8465 understood, no hard feelings.