The Toledo, Lake Erie and Western operates the Bluebird passenger train, however operations were temporarily shut down due to track improvements needing to be completed in 2009, but due to vandalism, the railroad failed to reopen for the 2010 season.
In 2013, the Museum's ALCO S4, #5109, was painted back into its original Chesapeake and Ohio colors in September 2013; another theft occurred soon after the 5109's repaint, the rare Nathan M5 horn that was planned to be used on 5109, was stolen off site and has yet to be found.
An additional setback following the vandalism, was a failed attempt at creating a for-profit freight/non-profit passenger partnership in 2011.
On February 14, 2014, the TLEW acquired the Waterfront Electric Railway Museum at 17475 Saylor Lane in Grand Rapids, Ohio.
Due to the for-profit's control of the mainline, TLEW volunteers focused almost all of their effort in rehabilitating the new acquisition in order to make it a feasible work space and revenue generator.