The North Carolina Railroad was chartered in 1849 and completed in 1856. It ran from Charlotte to Goldsboro, where it ended at the Wilmington & Weldon line.
In 1851 the company compiled a book of maps showing the right of way for the entire line, including property owned adjacent to the track.
The entire survey can be viewed online at the North Carolina Maps project.
Wayne County had nine miles of track, beginning at the Johnston County line and running in line with modern Highway 70 into town.