Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern confirmed Thursday that they are in merger talks that would create a single U.S railroad with service stretching from the East to the West Coast.The Associated Press reported last week that the companies were discussing a tie-up but neither company confirmed until Thursday morning.

Union Pacific said on Thursday it was in advanced discussions with rival Norfolk Southern for a possible mega merger that would create a transcontinental railroad behemoth.

FILE PHOTO: A Norfolk Southern train rests near the University of North Carolina's energy generation plant, after delivering coal to the facility, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, U.S. August 11, 2022. REUTERS/Jonathan Drake/File photo