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.

Railroad company Union Pacific will buy Norfolk Southern in a cash and stock transaction valued at $85 billion, combining two of the largest rail operators in the nation. The merger will combine Union Pacific’s Western,

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