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

Union Pacific wants to buy Norfolk Southern in a $85 billion deal that would create the first transcontinental railroad in the U.S, and potentially trigger a final wave of rail mergers across the country.

The Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern merger could create the first modern true transcontinental railroad. Click here to read an analysis of UNP stock now.