Originally incorporated as a dual passenger and freight railroad, it now provides freight-only railcar switching services to industries in Salt Lake City along its sixteen miles of track.

[1][page needed] For many years passenger traffic to the Saltair Resort was the line's biggest source of revenue.

in 1933, the Great Salt Lake reached its lowest recorded levels, stranding the Saltair Beach Resort from the waterline.

The resort finally closed permanently in 1959, and the Salt Lake, Garfield & Western ceased passenger operations.

[1][page needed] In July 1954 the railroad leased a GE centercab diesel from U.S. Steel, and this marked the end of electric operations on the Salt Lake, Garfield & Western.

On October 13, 2017, Stadler Rail broke ground for a new manufacturing shop alongside the SLGW.

SLGW receives freight cars at its main switching yard at 1200 West and North Temple Street in Salt Lake City, near the Utah State Fairgrounds.

Commodities vary and include lumber, cement, plastics, petroleum products, paper, frozen juices, canned goods, furniture, waste oil and others.

During times of peak business, the SLGW leased passenger locomotives from the Rio Grande Western and the Oregon Short Line to facilitate the operation of extra trains.

[2][page needed] A total of thirteen diesel locomotives were owned and operated by the SLG&W during its independent years, starting with D.S.