A Transcontinental Railroad Is America's Most Sustainable Path Forward for Freight

The combined Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern railroad will convert an estimated 2.1 million truckloads of freight from road to rail annually, eliminating approximately 3.8 million metric tons of CO2 emissions each year and removing billions of truck-miles from America’s public highways.
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern are both named to USA Today’s 2025 list of America’s Climate Leaders. The transcontinental railroad advances environmental stewardship in four ways: removing trucks from the road, running trains more efficiently, investing in cleaner technologies and giving customers better tools to reach their own sustainability goals. Every one of these benefits follows directly from the operational logic of single-line service.

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Removing Trucks from the Road

Rail is the most sustainable way to move freight over land. According to the Association of American Railroads, shifting freight from highway to rail reduces carbon emissions up to 75%. One intermodal train can remove as many as 550 trucks from the road. Oliver Wyman data estimates the combined company will convert 2.1 million truckloads from road to rail annually — eliminating approximately 3.6 billion truck-miles and 3.8 million metric tons of CO2 emissions yearly by the end of year three.

The reduction in interchange traffic also directly benefits communities near those hubs. Every weekday in Chicago, over 1,000 trucks move freight within the city from one railroad to the next. A transcontinental railroad will remove that burden. Interchange cities including Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City and New Orleans will see meaningful reductions in local truck congestion and air pollution.

2.1M

Truckloads converted from road to rail annually — Oliver Wyman projection

3.8M

Million metric tons of CO2 emissions eliminated annually by the end of year three – Oliver Wyman projection

~75%

Reduction in carbon emissions per shipment when shifting from highway to rail — Association of American Railroads

How a Transcontinental Railroad Runs More Sustainably

Single-line service reduces emissions by enabling more efficient routing and fewer handoffs. Today, trains must stop, idle or slow at exchange points, burning fuel and releasing emissions with every unnecessary pause. The combined network would eliminate an estimated 2,550 rail car and container handlings and 65,000 car-miles each day.

Investing in Cleaner Technologies

Union Pacific is developing the industry’s first hybrid battery-electric locomotive and anticipates completing the installation of an advanced Energy Management System on its entire fleet of road locomotives by 2026. Norfolk Southern leads the industry in locomotive modernization, extending each unit’s life by at least 20 years with up to 55% greater hauling capacity, up to 25% improved fuel efficiency and 20% less maintenance. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern are also piloting emissions capture tender cars, which siphon off carbon and/or air pollutants without affecting locomotive power.

Giving Customers Better Sustainability Tools

The combined company will offer carbon calculators, rail emissions reports, biofuel credits and other tools to help businesses measure and achieve their Scope 3 emissions goals and enable consistent reporting. Every ton of freight shifted from highway to rail reduces a shipper’s transportation carbon footprint. The combined company will make that shift easier, more measurable and more accountable than any interline arrangement ever could.

“By moving large volumes of long-haul freight off highways and onto rail, the merger would improve roadway safety and reduce wear on public infrastructure. The analysis projects a major reduction in long-haul truck traffic on key interstate highway corridors as freight converts to rail under the merger.”

David Hunt

Vice President, Oliver Wyman, Statement to the STB

FAQ

How does a transcontinental railroad benefit the environment?

Shifting freight from highway to rail reduces carbon emissions up to 75%, with one intermodal train removing as many as 550 trucks from the road. An Oliver Wyman study estimates the combined company will convert 2.1 million truckloads to rail annually — eliminating approximately 3.8 million metric tons of CO2 emissions and 3.6 billion truck-miles from public highways each year.

How will the proposed combination reduce congestion and pollution in major cities?

Today, trains must exchange freight at congested interchange hubs — and over 1,000 trucks move goods across Chicago alone every weekday to complete those handoffs. Single-line service eliminates those transfers, reducing truck traffic in interchange cities including Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City and New Orleans and improving local air quality in the communities that surround those corridors.

How will the combined company help customers track their environmental impact?

The combined company will provide shippers with carbon calculators, rail emissions reports and biofuel credits. These tools are designed to help businesses quantify their transportation footprint, demonstrate measurable progress on Scope 3 emissions goals and make informed mode decisions with full environmental visibility.

Are Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern investing in cleaner locomotive technology?

Yes. Union Pacific is developing the industry’s first hybrid battery-electric locomotive and complete installation of an advanced Energy Management System across its entire fleet by 2026. Norfolk Southern’s locomotive upgrades extend unit life by at least 20 years while improving fuel efficiency by up to 25%. Both companies are also piloting emissions capture tender cars, which siphon off carbon and/or air pollutants without affecting locomotive power.

Make Your Voice Heard

More than 2,000 businesses, unions, farmers and community leaders have already told the Surface Transportation Board why this combination matters. Tell Congress why America’s first transcontinental railroad matters for American jobs, supply chains and economic growth.

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Benefits described are intended and proposed, subject to STB review and approval.
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Please review Union Pacific’s cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements.