How did you get back to the bridge? I assume you had to walk down the tracks....
I can see this bridge from my back deck across the Des Moines River Valley. The span does not go over the Des Moines River itself but rather Bass Point Creek. It is now used on a daily (more on weekends) (during the tourist seeason) by the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad (a tourist line). It is 156 feet high and 754 feet long. However, I have one point of contention and it is rather a big one. I have never heard it referred to as the "Boone Valley High Bridge" and I have lived in my present location for over 20 years. It is known as the "Bass Point High Bridge" but has sort of informally also become know as simply the "Boone and Scenic Valley High Bridge" but never the "Boone Valley High Bridge".
Quite often it is confused with the rather well known Kate Shelley High Bridge which is only a short distance from this bridge. The old Kate Shelly Bridge had recently (withing the last two weeks) been put out of regular service by the Union Pacific and a new span has been built right beside it. Must to the credit of the UP, the old bridge will remain standing (for now, at least) because of its historical significance.
I have much information additional information about this bridge and the other bridges in Boone County as well.
Bill Jepsen
Boone County, Iowa
My understanding is the Fort Dodge, Des Moines and Southern was taken over by the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad in the 1960's and this line was used for a time in regular freight service after the end of the interuban. The CNW eventually abandoned it before the Boone and Scenic Valley acquired it's stretch of track in the 1980's. So, the CNW could be added to the railroads.