The East Carolina Land and Railway Company was chartered by Craven County, North Carolina, and the city of New Bern in 1887 to construct a  rail line connecting New Bern with Jacksonville, North Carolina. $60,000 was asked for the rail line from the county, plus an additional $40,000 to extend the rail line to either Washington, Greenville, or Pantego.
In 1887, the East Carolina Land and Railway Company received approval from Craven County, North Carolina, and New Bern city to construct a rail line linking New Bern with Jacksonville. The county requested $60,000 for the rail line, while an additional $40,000 was needed to extend it to Washington, Greenville, or Pantego.