Together, the two would create the first transcontinental freight rail in the United States and the largest freight rail network in the country

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday criticized Union Pacific's plan to acquire Norfolk Southern in a $85 billion deal that would create the first U.

Union Pacific wants to buy Norfolk Southern in a $85 billion deal that would create the first transcontinental railroad in the U.S, potentially triggering a final wave of rail mergers across the country.