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Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP), the largest U.S. railroad operator, is reportedly close to finalizing an agreement to acquire Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC), according to Bloomberg. The deal, expected as early as next week,

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern confirmed that they are in “advanced” merger talks that would create a single U.S railroad with service stretching from the East to the West Coast. The Associated Press reported last week that the companies were discussing a tie-up but neither company acknowledged that until Thursday morning.