Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern agree to a merger

This creates the first transcontinental railroad in the United States.

Union Pacific has announced plans to merge with Norfolk Southern, creating the first transcontinental railroad in the United States.

Both systems are major transporters of U.S. ag goods. The two announced they will combine forces, creating a system worth $250 billion. Mike Steenhoek with the Soy Transportation Coalition says there could be some concern around consolidation, but he adds that rail lines are crucial to the success of farmers and U.S. agriculture as a whole.

An investor call was announced this morning for stakeholders.

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Patrick Gottsch, founder and chairman of RFD-TV, testified before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee in May 2014. Read his full testimony: “Competition in the Video and Broadband Markets: the Proposed Merger of Comcast and Time Warner Cable.”