The Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway

The Toledo, Peoria & Western (TP&W) Railway has made a big impact on Illinois and railroading for over 150 years. Originally chartered in 1849 as the Peoria & Oquawka, the TP&W provided an important bypass for trains to avoid the often congested rail network in Chicago. Train wrecks on the TP&W over the years resulted in improved and safer technology that is still in the today nationally. Conflicts between the railroads's management and employees led to the creation and development of natio...