Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern are in merger talks to create the largest railroad in North America that would connect the East and West Coasts.

Union Pacific , the largest U.S. freight railroad operator, is exploring a possible acquisition of Norfolk Southern to create a $200 billion coast-to-coast rail network, a person familiar with the matter said.

Union Pacific is in talks to merge with Norfolk Southern, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday, in a deal that would shake up the railroad business in America.The Journal cited people familiar with the matter.