The combination of two large rail companies would create the first coast-to-coast network, but the deal could reduce competition.

Union Pacific Corp. could reach an agreement to acquire Norfolk Southern Corp. and create a transcontinental rail behemoth as soon as early next week, people familiar with the matter said.The deal, which would be the largest deal ever in the rail industry,

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern could announce a tentative merger agreement as early as this week, according to a published report. Bloomberg cited sources familiar with the talks in its report on Friday.