The merger would create the United States’ first coast-to-coast rail network, spanning 50,000 miles and 43 states.

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern today announced an $85 billion deal to tie their networks together and create the first U.S. transcontinental railroad. The merged company — which will be called Union Pacific — will transform the U.

OMAHA, NEBRASKA, US — Union Pacific Corp. has agreed to acquire Norfolk Southern Corp. for $85 billion, a merger that would unite two of North America’s Class I freight railroads and major US-based grain shippers to create the country’s first transcontinental railroad.