The Raleigh Experimental Railroad carried quarried stone in wooden carts drawn by horses over the rails to the new state capital being built.

In Raleigh, a company was set up in mid-1832 for this experimental railroad. The officers of the Raleigh Experimental Railroad were Joseph Gales, President; J. C. Stedman, Treasurer; Alfred Williams, Secretary; and Managers/Directors: William Polk, Thomas Cobbs, E. P. Guion, Henry M. Miller. The company was incorporated by the General Assembly in late 1832.

Construction contracts were issued in the fall of 1832 and the line of 1.25 miles of wooden rails started operating in 1833. On Sundays, passengers could ride on this horse-drawn railroad.

In 1833, John Primrose served as Treasurer, being replaced in June/July 1834 by B. B. Smith.