The Great Connection: Creating America’s First Transcontinental Railroad
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern are proposing a single, integrated freight rail network to strengthen the U.S. supply chain, enhance competition and support long-term growth for customers, communities and the national economy.

What is The Great Connection
President Abraham Lincoln had a vision for a transcontinental railroad that would unite America when he signed the Pacific Railway Act creating Union Pacific Railroad in 1862. What resulted was a patchwork of different carriers delivering the nation’s freight.
More than 160 years later, the United States is one of the only developed nations without a connected transcontinental railroad. An artificial barrier runs down the middle of the country—dividing the U.S. railroad network into east and west.
The Great Connection—created by combining Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern—will fully realize President Lincoln’s vision for a united transcontinental railroad. The end-to-end combination will transform the U.S. supply chain, enhance American competitiveness and energize virtually every sector of the economy.
America’s first transcontinental railroad will:
- Transform 10,000 existing lanes from interline service—which require time-consuming handoffs between railroads—into faster, more efficient single-line service.
- Convert 2 million truckloads from road to rail—removing trucks from congested, taxpayer-funded roads.
- Expand service offerings for customers in underserved areas.
- Reach underserved areas with faster, end-to-end service.
- Provide customers with a unified digital experience, with one accountable partner for their entire rail journey.
- Protect all union jobs.

Voices of Support

Where We Are in the Process
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern submitted their application to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) on Dec. 19, 2025, providing compelling new details on how the end-to-end combination will enhance competition and deliver broad public benefits.
Key Steps Completed
- ✓ Agreement on the transaction structure,
- ✓ 99% of votes cast by Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern shareholders in favor of the transaction.
Next Steps
- • STB review and public comment.
- • Continued outreach and feedback gathering with customers, employees and communities.
- • Development of detailed implementation and service transition plans, subject to STB approval.
Regulatory Review Spotlight
The STB Filing Hub provides easy access to key documents related to the proposed combination.
Latest News & Perspectives
See the latest official news, updates and perspectives on The Great Connection and the proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern combination.
Delivering Value to Every Stakeholder
The Great Connection is designed to deliver benefits across America, from customers to employees and the broader U.S. economy.
Combining Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern
If approved, the combination will follow an implementation plan designed to maintain safe, reliable service while integrating operations.
The Surface Transportation Board evaluates the proposed combination, gathers stakeholder feedback, and conducts required analyses.
Following its review, the STB issues a decision outlining any conditions or requirements for approval.
During the review period, both companies continue preparing detailed plans to support a safe, orderly transition should the transaction be approved.
Once approved by the STB and after meeting customary closing conditions, the companies begin implementing the approved plan to integrate operations.

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