St. Louis Southwestern began as the 3-foot-gauge Tyler Tap Railroad, opened in 1877 in eastern Texas. Its successor, St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas, was standard-gauged in 1886. The nickname "Cotton Belt Route" is historic; the emblem, designed by Charles Ware at the railroad's request, replaced a cotton bale in 1885. StLA&T was acquired by the new St. Louis Southwestern of Jay Gould in 1891. Southern Pacific acquired SSW control on April 14, 1932, strengthening a relationship established in 1919, and operated it as part of the SP system. Ownership conveyed to Union Pacific in the August 11, 1996 SP merger, and SSW was subsequently absorbed by UP.

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There are currently 1 photo in this section and the latest update was made on January 5th 2002.