Having crossed this famous bridge countless times and admired the spectacular Kölner Dom (Cathedral), on 19 October 2011 I finally got the chance to see it from the opposite perspective. To achieve this meant a 509 step climb up a narrow stone spiral staircase. The railway bridge crossing the Rhein carries 6 tracks for a very intense service. The ends of the platforms of Köln Hbf can be seen in the foreground with the upper level platforms of Köln Messe/Deutz station on the opposite side of the river.