The Narragansett Pier Railroad was first chartered in 1868, and was completed in 1876. It ran from the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad mainline in Kingston to Narragansett Pier, at a length of about 8 miles. Passenger service was strong in its early years, as it served a resort at Narragansett Pier; it also carried freight.

Passenger service along the line ceased in 1952; all operations along this former Class III railroad ended in 1981.