Combining Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern into the first transcontinental railroad in the U.S. would create a 52,215-mile colossus that could offer seamless service from coast to coast, bypassing longtime interchange choke points in Chicago and at gateways along the Mississippi River.

Union Pacific is seeking to buy Norfolk Southern in an $85-billion deal that would create the first transcontinental railroad in the U.S.

Union Pacific’s $85B acquisition of Norfolk Southern, announced July 29, 2025, will create the first U.S. transcontinental railroad, spanning 50,000 miles. Regulatory hurdles loom., US News, Times Now