One of the two major railroads serving South Carolina would be sold under an $85 million deal announced July 29 that would create the nation’s first transcontinental freight carrier.

The merger would create the United States’ first coast-to-coast rail network, spanning 50,000 miles and 43 states.

The largest rail union in the United States said on Tuesday it intends to oppose Union Pacific's proposed $85 billion acquisition of smaller rival Norfolk Southern in regulatory proceedings, citing concerns about how the largest-ever buyout in the sector will affect U.