By 1870, the line would be completed to East Plattsmouth, Iowa. This location was set on the Missouri River.
Just across the river, in Plattsmouth, the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad of Nebraska continued building west.
The railroad reached Ashland by 1870, and Lincoln later that year. The expansion would continue west, ultimately reaching Denver.
The lines were purchased by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in 1875. To the east, the Iowa line connected to Chicago, via Burlington.
By 1880, the CB&Q completed a large bridge across the Missouri River at Plattsmouth, connecting the two lines.
Throughout the early 20th century, the line would be upgraded. In Iowa, many sections were constructed double track between Creston and Pacific Junction.
In Nebraska, the Ashland to Lincoln section was constructed double track in 1910.
The line served as a broader connection, connecting Denver and Chicago.
By 1970, the CB&Q merged with Great Northern and Northern Pacific to form Burlington Northern.
In 1996, BN merged with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe to form BNSF Railway, who currently owns this line.
Presently, the Creston to Lincoln section is known as the Creston Subdivision, and sees a steady traffic base.
06/26/21
Located between Glenwood and Malvern at the ghost town of Balfour, this bridge has an unknown history.
According to the National Bridge Inventory, the structure was built in 1920. However, in a 1967 track chart, this bridge still shows up as a kingpost truss. It is quite possible that the NBI date is incorrect, but the railroad also made a misprint.
The author believes it is much more likely that the NBI date is correct, although possibly not for the erection of this bridge. It is possible that the girder was built 1920, and later relocated here.
The bridge consists of a single through girder, set onto timber piers and approached by trestle on either side. It appears that the main girder span was at one time a railroad span, but was reused for roadway use.
Railroads oftentimes reused excess material like this, as it kept their costs down and the steel provided an adequate structure. While thousands of such structures were built across the United States, nearly the entire population has been removed or replaced.
It is unknown where the girder may have come from. The author has found examples where they are moved from a few miles away, or sometimes they may be moved from several hundred miles away. It seems that it was all based on what material was scrap at that time.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair condition, although deterioration was seen throughout the bridge. The author hopes to return to this location soon, and get better photos.
The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the reused railroad span.
The photo above is an overview.