Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern announce a landmark $85 billion merger to create America's first transcontinental railroad, connecting over 50,000 route miles from coast to coast.

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