Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern confirmed this morning that they are engaged in advanced merger discussions that would create the first U.S. transcontinental railroad. “There can be no assurances as to whether an agreement for a transaction will be reached or as to the terms of any such transaction,

Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern confirmed on Thursday that it is in merger talks with Union Pacific. The merger between two of the country’s major freight railroads would create a single U.S. railroad with service stretching coast-to-coast.

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern are confirming they're in merger talks that would create North America’s largest railroad, stretching service from East to West Coasts.