Important announcement about forging a new future together
Download PDFAuthor: Norfolk Southern | July 29, 2025
NS Team,
This morning, I joined the CEO of Union Pacific, with the full support of our respective boards and executive teams, to announce a historic agreement: Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern will combine to create America’s first transcontinental railroad.
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity—not just for our companies, but for our industry and our country. We’re bringing together the strengths of two iconic railroads—strengths built by you. Together, we’ll connect approximately 100 ports and create a rail network that spans over 50,000 route miles across 43 states. We will, like never before, link East Coast and West Coast freight.
Formal approvals are likely to take two years to realize, but once we come together, we will be able to eliminate freight handoffs, offering more cost-effective shipping, reducing highway congestion and expanding access to underserved regions. We’re building a stronger, more connected America.
We have evaluated this partnership and believe Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern are the right fit. Our SPIRIT values are well-aligned with their Building America culture. The combination of our people, technology, operational rigor, and determination to keep getting better will deliver service that’s truly unmatched. And even with all that each railroad has achieved on its own, we know we can do so much more by combining.
Our vision is bold: to ensure railroading stays a top, family-sustaining career; to strengthen the U.S. supply chain; to unlock the full potential of American manufacturing; and to create new sources of economic growth. And it’s achievable.
This combination honors the legacy of those who came before us and opens new possibilities for those coming up in the business.
This morning, I joined the CEO of Union Pacific, with the full support of our respective boards and executive teams, to announce a historic agreement: Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern will combine to create America’s first transcontinental railroad.
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity—not just for our companies, but for our industry and our country. We’re bringing together the strengths of two iconic railroads—strengths built by you. Together, we’ll connect approximately 100 ports and create a rail network that spans over 50,000 route miles across 43 states. We will, like never before, link East Coast and West Coast freight.
Formal approvals are likely to take two years to realize, but once we come together, we will be able to eliminate freight handoffs, offering more cost-effective shipping, reducing highway congestion and expanding access to underserved regions. We’re building a stronger, more connected America.
We have evaluated this partnership and believe Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern are the right fit. Our SPIRIT values are well-aligned with their Building America culture. The combination of our people, technology, operational rigor, and determination to keep getting better will deliver service that’s truly unmatched. And even with all that each railroad has achieved on its own, we know we can do so much more by combining.
Our vision is bold: to ensure railroading stays a top, family-sustaining career; to strengthen the U.S. supply chain; to unlock the full potential of American manufacturing; and to create new sources of economic growth. And it’s achievable.
This combination honors the legacy of those who came before us and opens new possibilities for those coming up in the business.
- To our craft professionals: we envision that every union employee who wants a job in the combined company will have one.
- To our nonagreement employees: you will have opportunities to grow as part of a larger, combined enterprise, and we’ll be thoughtful and deliberate as we evaluate how best to integrate our teams and help you grow professionally.
- To everyone: you have my commitment to act in your best interest and to share updates as we move forward. We will ensure you have the time, resources and support you need to make the right decisions for yourself and your loved ones.
We know you’ll have questions—about what happens next, and when. There is time. The transaction is subject to review and approval by the Surface Transportation Board and our shareholders. We would expect the approved merger to close by early 2027.
Until then, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern will continue to operate separately and independently. The most important thing we can do is stay focused—on safety, on service, and on delivering for our customers and each other.
I know that’s easier said than done. There will be chatter, inside and outside the company. That’s a reflection of how historic this moment is—and how much people are paying attention to what we do next.
Tomorrow we will hold a Company-Wide Town Hall, where we will share more information and begin to answer your questions. We’re also going to equip our leaders with information to help answer your questions and our HR team will host sessions in August to walk through details. It is important to speak up—if you feel it, say it, and we’ll listen.
Thank you for your continued dedication. I’m proud of what we’ve built, grateful for your hard work, and excited for what’s next for us.
Let’s move America forward—together.
Mark George
President & CEO
Norfolk Southern
Until then, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern will continue to operate separately and independently. The most important thing we can do is stay focused—on safety, on service, and on delivering for our customers and each other.
I know that’s easier said than done. There will be chatter, inside and outside the company. That’s a reflection of how historic this moment is—and how much people are paying attention to what we do next.
Tomorrow we will hold a Company-Wide Town Hall, where we will share more information and begin to answer your questions. We’re also going to equip our leaders with information to help answer your questions and our HR team will host sessions in August to walk through details. It is important to speak up—if you feel it, say it, and we’ll listen.
Thank you for your continued dedication. I’m proud of what we’ve built, grateful for your hard work, and excited for what’s next for us.
Let’s move America forward—together.
Mark George
President & CEO
Norfolk Southern