The bridge itself is a marvel of engineering, being built in the 1910s, already in a double track configuration and only needing reinforcing in the mid-2000s. As part of those works they replaced the 143.1m central span in an operation that lasted only 12 hours, as that was how long they could close the canal.
This bridge was embroiled in a legal battle in the 90a, as residents under the bridge were literally being shat upon by the people on the trains above, as DB still operated toilets that dumped onto the tracks. DB thankfully lost and were forced to replace the trains going on that bridge.
I also note that in 1978, the bridge was damaged when a GDR heavy-lift vessel called Karl Marx collided with it.
I am amazed that we are capable of building canals that can take modern deep sea ships, like the one this bridge crosses.
