Track was gradually extended from Prescott to Arcadia, Blevins, McCaskill, Belton, Tokio, and Highland (Pike County), a distance of 31 miles.

Early in its history, the railroad operated several logging branches and the line extended beyond Highland to tap lumber stands.

The remainder of the week, passenger, express and mail service were handled by a homemade metal railbus known as the Elberta Zephyr.

After steam was retired in the mid fifties, the line operated three 70 ton General Electric locomotives bought second hand.

On December 5, 2014, Genesee & Wyoming filed a Notice of Exemption with the Surface Transportation Board to acquire PNW along with AKMD and another affiliate Warren & Saline River Railroad (WSR) from Pinsly.