Toledo, St. Louis and Western Railroad
| Company type | Railroad |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transportation |
| Predecessor | Toledo, Cincinnati and St. Louis Railroad |
| Founded | February 1881 |
| Defunct | December 28, 1922 |
| Fate | Purchased by New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad (Nickel Plate) |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | Northwestern Ohio, North Central Indiana, South Central Illinois |
| Products | Rail transport |
The Toledo, St. Louis and Western Railroad (abbreviated as TStL&W) was commonly referred to as the Clover Leaf. It served regions in northwestern Ohio, north central Indiana, and south central Illinois during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
History
The TStL&W traces its roots back to the Toledo, Cincinnati and St. Louis Railroad, which was established in February 1881 through the merger of several narrow gauge railroads linking Toledo, Cincinnati, and St. Louis. Due to financial challenges, the railroad eliminated its Cincinnati route and underwent reorganization in June 1886, emerging as the Toledo, St. Louis and Kansas City Railroad. Over subsequent years, it transitioned its tracks from narrow to standard gauge.
Significant predecessor companies encompassed:
- Toledo, Dupont and Western Railway (Ohio)
- Bluffton, Kokomo and Southwestern Railroad (Indiana)
- Toledo, Charleston and St. Louis Railroad (Illinois)
In 1900, the company reorganized under the name Toledo, St. Louis and Western Railroad, managing roughly 451 miles of rail stretching from Toledo to East St. Louis. On December 28, 1922, the Clover Leaf was purchased by the New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad—also known as the "Nickel Plate"—which eventually integrated into Norfolk Southern.