MIDWEST RAILROAD
Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway: Surviving Disasters and Mergers, This Shortline Moves Midwest Agriculture and Industry Across 186 Miles in Illinois and Indiana
Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway operates one of North America's most extensive shortline freight rail networks, connecting businesses across Illinois and Indiana with safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible transportation solutions. The railroad manages 186 route miles as of June 2024, with 118 miles in Illinois and 63 miles in Indiana, primarily moving agricultural commodities, auto parts, coal, steel, and chemicals..
FOUNDING HISTORY & ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The company traces its roots to 1860, originally founded as the Peoria and Oquawka Railroad to link the Illinois River at Peoria with the Mississippi River. Over the decades, it underwent several reorganizations and mergers, including a period under Santa Fe ownership in the 1980s, before being acquired by Genesee & Wyoming in 2012..
HEADQUARTERS & OPERATIONAL BASES
The headquarters of Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway is located at 1990 East Washington Street, East Peoria, Illinois 61611. This facility houses the railroad’s administrative offices and serves as the operational hub for dispatching, customer service, and executive management..
LEADERSHIP & EMPLOYEES
Nathaniel M. Wolff serves as President of Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway. The executive team includes a Vice President of Operations with a background in Class I railroad management, a Chief Financial Officer with experience in transportation finance, and a Director of Safety and Compliance who previously led safety initiatives at other Genesee & Wyoming properties.
Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway employs approximately 70 people, with about 50 serving as skilled craftspeople, maintenance workers, and service teams. The workforce includes a mix of operations, mechanical, and administrative staff, with a focus on safety and operational reliability.
FACILITIES & OPERATIONS
Major facilities include the main yard and locomotive servicing facility in East Peoria, Illinois, a transload terminal in Mapleton, Illinois, and interchange points in Peoria, Sommer, Watseka, and Chenoa, Illinois, as well as Logansport, Indiana. The railroad also operates a railcar storage yard with capacity for 447 cars.
Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway adheres to all Federal Railroad Administration safety regulations and has implemented Genesee & Wyoming’s corporate safety and environmental management systems. The company participates in industry safety programs and has received recognition for its compliance and operational safety record.
EQUIPMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE
The railroad handles a variety of railcar types, including boxcars for general freight, covered hoppers for grain and agricultural products, tank cars for chemicals, and flatcars for steel and machinery. The network is rated for 286,000-pound railcar capacity, supporting modern freight requirements.
Technology platforms include a real-time train tracking system, electronic waybill management, and a customer portal for shipment status and billing. The railroad also utilizes Genesee & Wyoming’s centralized dispatching and maintenance management systems, with API integration available for large shippers.
Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway serves Illinois and Indiana, operating 186 route miles between Mapleton, Illinois, and Logansport, Indiana, with a branch to Winamac, Indiana. Key corridors connect Peoria, East Peoria, and Logansport, providing access to major Class I railroads.
Strategic partnerships include interchanges with Union Pacific, BNSF, Norfolk Southern, CSX, Canadian National, Canadian Pacific, and several regional and shortline railroads. These connections enable seamless freight movement across North America.
FINANCIAL METRICS & STABILITY
In 2024, Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway reported a pre-tax profit of $8 million on revenues of $38 million. The company’s operating ratio improved to 78 percent, reflecting enhanced operational efficiency.
Recent capital investments include $6 million in track upgrades and yard improvements in 2023, as well as the acquisition of new locomotives and maintenance equipment. The railroad was acquired by Genesee & Wyoming in 2012, which has since invested in infrastructure and technology.
SERVICE PORTFOLIO
Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway offers a range of logistics services, including full container load and less than container load shipments. Additional services include transloading, railcar storage, customs brokerage, trade compliance consulting, and cargo insurance, supporting a diverse customer base in agriculture, manufacturing, and chemicals.
The railroad has launched a new customer portal to enhance self-service capabilities and improve day-to-day activities for its clients. Additionally, the company offers an API Center to facilitate seamless integration with customer systems, enabling real-time shipment tracking and electronic billing.
INDUSTRY REPUTATION & NEWS
Recently, Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway has focused on enhancing operational efficiency and service quality. The company has implemented automated track inspection systems and expanded its transload capabilities in Mapleton and East Peoria to better serve agricultural and industrial shippers.
Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway’s Site Certification Program has identified optimal rail-served sites and conducts in-depth reviews to ensure readiness for development. This program aims to minimize development risks for customers and enhance supply chain efficiency.
ANALYSIS & FUTURE OUTLOOK
