This bridge today is on the Cambrian Line, the main line of the former Cambrian Railways which runs from Shrewsbury in England to Pwllheli, and has passenger trains operated by Arriva Trains, Wales.
The bridge was built by the Aberystwyth and Welsh Coast Railway and opened in 1867. It included a lifting drawbridge section to permit the passage of tall ships and was constructed entirely of wood. The drawbridge section, at the northern end, was rebuilt in 1901 as a swing bridge with two steel spans.
Passenger train services over the bridge declined significantly during the 1960s, when the Ruabon to Barmouth line via Llangollen and Dolgellau was closed causing all traffic to take the longer and slower route from Shrewsbury via Machynlleth and Dovey Junction. The old trackbed from Morfa Mawddach railway station to Dolgellau now forms the Mawddach Trail, a walk and cycle trail. This railway walk was one of those featured in the BBC series with Julia Bradbury which screened last year.
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