Operations commenced in 2004 as a division of the Central Railroad of Indianapolis (CERA), under the overall corporate ownership of RailAmerica.

After this was complete, signs were posted at each crossing notifying motorists of an increase in train traffic.

[3] In 2011 former Norfolk Southern supervisor Joseph (Joe) Parsons was named the General Manager of Chicago, Fort Wayne, & Eastern Railroad headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

On July 23, 2012, Genesee & Wyoming Inc. announced that it intended to purchase RailAmerica in a deal valued at $1.39 billion.

Surface Transportation Board on December 19, 2012,[6] and ownership of the Chicago, Ft. Wayne & Eastern was transferred to the G&W.