Retirement Benefits [Abstract] Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Retirement Plan Type [Domain] Retirement Plan Type [Domain] Pension Plan [Member] Pension Plan [Member] Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Service cost Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost Interest Cost Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost Expected return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return (Loss) on Plan Assets Net cost (credit) recognized Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Consolidated Entities [Axis] Consolidated Entities [Axis] Consolidated Entities [Domain] Consolidated Entities [Domain] Equity Method Investee [Member] Equity Method Investee [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net of Tax, Period Change [Abstract] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net of Tax, Period Change [Abstract] Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Other comprehensive (loss) before reclassifications Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax Amounts reclassified from AOCI Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax Balance Equity [Abstract] Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table] Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table] Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items] Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items] Net of Tax Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table] Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table] Variable Interest Entities [Axis] Variable Interest Entities [Axis] Variable Interest Entity, Classification [Domain] Variable Interest Entity, Classification [Domain] Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member] Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] Company limited partner holding interest, percentage Variable Interest Entity, Qualitative or Quantitative Information, Ownership Percentage General partner holding interest, percentage Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP), Managing Member or General Partner, Ownership Interest Tax credits, reduction to income tax expense Affordable Housing Tax Credits and Other Tax Benefits, Amount Unamortized investment balance classified as Other Assets Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Unamortized Investment Balance Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Unamortized Investment Balance Maximum exposure to loss Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Rolling Maturity [Abstract] New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Table] New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Table] Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Domain] Income Statement Location [Domain] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Type of Adoption [Domain] Type of Adoption [Domain] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncement [Member] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncement [Member] New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] Future minimum lease payments Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due Other Assets Other Asset, Investment in Variable Interest Entity [Text Block] Other Asset, Investment in Variable Interest Entity [Text Block] Disclosure of Contract Asset and Liability [Abstract] Disclosure of Contract Asset and Liability [Abstract] Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table] Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table] Products and Services [Axis] Products and Services [Axis] Products and Services [Domain] Products and Services [Domain] Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] Accounts Receivable, Net Accounts Receivable, Net Schedule of Variable Interest Entities Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table Text Block] Income Statement [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Scenario [Axis] Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Revenues Revenue, Net Operating expenses: Operating Expenses [Abstract] Compensation and benefits Labor and Related Expense Purchased services Purchased services The amount of expense for contract services provided to the Company. Fuel Fuel Costs Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Equipment rents Equipment rents Rent paid for freight cars owned by other railroads or private companies, net of rents received, including lease expenses primarily for locomotives, railcars, containers and trailers. Materials and other Other Cost and Expense, Operating Total operating expenses Operating Expenses Operating income Operating Income (Loss) Interest expense Interest and Debt Expense Other (income) expense, net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Income before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Income tax expense Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Net income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Loss Contingencies [Table] Loss Contingencies [Table] Annual actuary study [Axis] Annual actuary study [Axis] Annual actuary study [Axis] Annual actuary study [Domain] Annual actuary study [Domain] [Domain] for annual actuary study [Axis] Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Unasserted Claim Unasserted Claim [Member] Personal Injury [Member] Personal Injury [Member] Personal Injury [Member] Range [Axis] Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Range [Domain] Minimum [Member] Minimum [Member] Maximum [Member] Maximum [Member] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Asbestos and Personal Injury [Abstract] Loss Contingency, Estimate [Abstract] Percent of future unasserted asbestos claims to be filed within the next ten years Percent of Future Unasserted Asbestos Claims To be Filed Within the Next Ten Years Percent of Future Unasserted Asbestos Claims To be Filed Within the Next Ten Years Percent of future unasserted asbestos claims to be filed within the next fifteen years Percent of Future Unasserted Asbestos Claims to be Filed Within the Next Fifteen Years Percent of Future Unasserted Asbestos Claims to be Filed Within the Next Fifteen Years Percent of future unasserted asbestos claims to be filed within the next twenty-five years Percent of Future Unasserted Asbestos Claims to be Filed Within the Next Twenty-five Years Percent of Future Unasserted Asbestos Claims to be Filed Within the Next Twenty-five Years Length in years for 65 percent of future unasserted asbestos claims to be filed Length in Years for 65 Percent of Future Unasserted Asbestos Claims to be Filed Length in Years for 65 Percent of Future Unasserted Asbestos Claims to be Filed Length in years for 80 percent of future unasserted asbestos claims to be filed Length in Years for 80 Percent of Future Unasserted Asbestos Claims to be Filed Length in Years for 80 Percent of Future Unasserted Asbestos Claims to be Filed Length in years for 95 percent of future unasserted asbestos claims to be filed Length in Years for 95 Percent of Future Unasserted Claims to be Filed Length in Years for 95 Percent of Future Unasserted Claims to be Filed Loss Contingency, Accrual, Current Loss Contingency, Accrual, Current Future costs to settle claims and associated liability Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward] Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward] Beginning balance Loss Contingency Accrual Accruals / changes in estimates Loss Contingency, Provision and Changes in Estimates Amount of expense for newly incurred loss contingencies and revisions to previously reported estimates Payments Loss Contingency Accrual, Payments Ending balance Receivables [Abstract] Accounts Receivable, Net Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block] Schedule of Financing Receivables Past Due [Table] Schedule of Financing Receivables Past Due [Table] Financing Receivables, Period Past Due [Axis] Financing Receivables, Period Past Due [Axis] Financing Receivables, Period Past Due [Domain] Financing Receivables, Period Past Due [Domain] Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member] Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member] Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items] Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items] Allowance for bill adjustments and uncollectible accounts Allowance for Bill Adjustments and Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current A valuation allowance for trade and other receivables due to an Entity within one year (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer) that have bill adjustments or are expected to be uncollectible. Accounts receivable greater than 90 days old Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Accounts receivable, net Materials and supplies Materials, Supplies, and Other Other current assets Other Assets, Current Total current assets Assets, Current Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $8,954 and $8,627, respectively Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Goodwill Goodwill Intangible assets, net Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Total assets Assets LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Accounts payable and other current liabilities Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current Long-term debt due within one year Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Long-term debt Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent Casualty and environmental liabilities Casualty and environmental liabilities Noncurrent portion of costs accrued as of the balance sheet date for casualty, environmental and other loss contingencies. Intangible liabilities, net Intangible liabilities, net The aggregate sum of gross carrying value of a major finite-lived intangible liability class, less accumulated amortization and any impairment charges. Pension and retiree health and welfare liability Liability, Defined Benefit Plan, Noncurrent Other liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Total liabilities Liabilities Commitments and contingencies (see Notes 6 and 7) Commitments and Contingencies Equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Member's equity Members' Equity Accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Total equity Total liabilities and equity Liabilities and Equity New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract] Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract] Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract] Schedule of Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustment Restatement [Table] Schedule of Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustment Restatement [Table] Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] Restatement Adjustment [Member] Restatement Adjustment [Member] Early adoption of ASU 2018-02 New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Description Operating Expenses Operating Income Accounting Policies and Interim Results [Text Block] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract] Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block] Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Schedule of Operating Leased Assets [Table] Schedule of Operating Leased Assets [Table] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Equipment Equipment [Member] Operating Leased Assets [Line Items] Operating Leased Assets [Line Items] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Fair value of debt excluding capital leases and unamortized gains on interest rate swaps Long-term Debt, Fair Value Book value of debt excluding capital leases, the associated unamortized fair value adjustment and unamortized gains on interest rate swaps Long-term Debt Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Net income Other comprehensive income: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of equity method investees Change in Other Comprehensive Income of Equity Method Investees Change in Other Comprehensive Income of Equity Method Investees Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Total comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Right to use fixed assets [Member] Right to use fixed assets [Member] Right to use fixed assets [Member] Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Right to use fixed assets Right to use fixed assets Right to use fixed assets Accumulated amortization on right-to-use fixed assets Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Four Point Zero Five Percent Debentures Due June 15, 2048 [Member] [Member] [Member] Four Point Zero Five Percent Debentures Due June 15, 2048 [Member] [Member] [Member] Four Point Zero Five Percent Debentures Due June 15, 2048 [Member] [Member] [Member] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Corporate Debt Securities [Member] Corporate Debt Securities [Member] SEC Debt Shelf Registration [Member] SEC Debt Shelf Registration [Member] SEC Debt Shelf Registration [Member] Junior Subordinated Debt Junior Subordinated Debt [Member] Debentures issued Debt Instrument, Face Amount Interest rate on issued debentures Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Remaining Debt Securities Authorized by the Board Remaining Debt Securities Authorized by the Board Remaining Debt Securities Authorized by the Board Subordinated notes related to financial covenants Debt Instrument, Covenant Debt Certain issued and outstanding junior subordinated notes pertaining to certain financial covenants. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] Employment Benefit Plans Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Segments [Domain] Segments [Domain] Geographical [Axis] Geographical [Axis] Geographical [Domain] Geographical [Domain] Contract with Customer, Basis of Pricing [Axis] Contract with Customer, Basis of Pricing [Axis] Contract with Customer, Basis of Pricing [Domain] Contract with Customer, Basis of Pricing [Domain] Contract with Customer, Duration [Axis] Contract with Customer, Duration [Axis] Contract with Customer, Duration [Domain] Contract with Customer, Duration [Domain] Timing of Transfer of Good or Service [Axis] Timing of Transfer of Good or Service [Axis] Timing of Transfer of Good or Service [Domain] Timing of Transfer of Good or Service [Domain] Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Axis] Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Axis] Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Domain] Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Domain] Customer [Axis] Customer [Axis] Customer [Domain] Customer [Domain] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block] Schedule of Guarantor Obligations Schedule of Guarantor Obligations [Table Text Block] Cumulative effect of adopting ASC 606 [Abstract] Cumulative effect of adopting ASC 606 [Abstract] Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Table] Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Table] Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Axis] Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Axis] Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Domain] Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Domain] Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table] Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table] Related Party [Axis] Related Party [Axis] Related Party [Domain] Related Party [Domain] Related Party Transaction [Axis] Related Party Transaction [Axis] Related Party Transaction [Domain] Related Party Transaction [Domain] Related Party Transaction [Line Items] Related Party Transaction [Line Items] Schedule of Related Party Transactions [Table Text Block] Schedule of Related Party Transactions [Table Text Block] Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Trading Securities [Table] Trading Securities [Table] Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Axis] Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Axis] Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Domain] Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Domain] Schedule of Trading Securities [Line Items] Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items] Trading Securities, Debt Trading Securities, Debt Trading Securities, Equity Trading Securities, Equity Trading Securities, Total Trading Securities Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract] Consumer Products [Member] Consumer Products [Member] Consumer Products commodity group portion of total freight revenues. Industrial Products [Member] Industrial Products [Member] Industrial Products commodity group portion of total freight revenues. Agricultural Products [Member] Agricultural Products [Member] Agricultural Products commodity group portion of total freight revenues. Coal [Member] Coal [Member] Non-rail logistics subsidiary [Domain] non-rail logistics subsidiary [Domain] non-rail logistics subsidiary [Domain] Accessorial and other [Domain] Accessorial and other [Domain] Accessorial and other [Member] Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Total other revenues Total other revenues Total other revenues Cargo and Freight Revenue Total Freight Revenues Total Freight Revenues Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Related Party Transactions Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity [Abstract] Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity [Abstract] Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member] Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member] Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 [Member] Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 [Member] Accounting Standards Update 2018-02 [Domain] Accounting Standards Update 2018-02 [Domain] Accounting Standards Update 2018-02 [Domain] Member's Equity Members Equity [Member] Member's equity. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption Cash distributions Cash Distributions/ Dividends Paid The cash outflow from the distribution of an entity's earnings in the form of dividends to common shareholders or distributions to the parent company. Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Remaining Performance Obligations [Abstract] Remaining Performance Obligations [Abstract] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Long-term casualty and environmental liabilities, net Long term casualty and environmental liabilities, net The net change during the reporting period in the amount of noncurrent costs accrued for casualty, environmental and other loss contingencies. Other, net Other Operating Activities, Cash Flow Statement Changes in current assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Accounts receivable, net Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Materials and supplies Increase (Decrease) in Materials and Supplies Other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Current Assets Accounts payable and other current liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities INVESTING ACTIVITIES Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Capital expenditures excluding equipment Capital Expenditures Excluding Equipment The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets, excluding equipment, that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets. Acquisition of equipment Acquisition of equipment The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of equipment which includes locomotive, freight cars and other equipment, some or all of which may be sold and leased back by the Company through either an operating or capital lease. Purchases of investments and investments in time deposits Payments to Acquire Investments Proceeds from sales of investments and maturities of time deposits Proceeds from Sale of Trading Securities Held-for-investment Other, net Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Net cash used for investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Payments on long-term debt Repayments of Long-term Debt Cash distributions Other, net Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value [Abstract] Beginning of period End of period SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized Interest Paid, Net Capital investments accrued but not yet paid Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid Income taxes paid, net of refunds Income Taxes Paid, Net Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block] Schedule of Guarantor Obligations [Table] Schedule of Guarantor Obligations [Table] Guarantee Entity Name [Axis] Guarantee Entity Name [Axis] Guarantee Entity Name [Axis] Guarantee Entity Name [Domain] Guarantee Entity Name [Domain] Guarantee Entity Name [Domain] Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. [Member] Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. [Member] Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LP Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LP [Member] Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LP [Member] Guarantor Obligations, Nature [Axis] Guarantor Obligations, Nature [Axis] Guarantor Obligations, Nature [Domain] Guarantor Obligations, Nature [Domain] Payment Guarantee Payment Guarantee [Member] Indemnification Agreement Indemnification Agreement [Member] Guarantor Obligations [Line Items] Guarantor Obligations [Line Items] BNSF Ownership Percentage Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent Principal Amount Guaranteed Principal Amount Guaranteed Principal Amount Guaranteed Maximum Future Payments Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted Maximum Recourse Amount Maximum Recourse Amount Maximum Recourse Amount Remaining Term (in years) Remaining Term Remaining Term Capitalized Obligations Guarantor Obligations, Current Carrying Value Accumulated depreciation Insurance [Table] Insurance [Table] Insurance [Table] BNSF Insurance Company [Member] BNSF Insurance Company [Member] BNSF Insurance Company [Member] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Axis] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Axis] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Domain] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Domain] Commercial Paper, Bank Time Deposits, and Money Market Funds [Member] Commercial Paper, Bank Time Deposits, and Money Market Funds [Member] Commercial Paper, Bank Time Deposits, and Money Market Funds [Member] Insurance [Line Items] Insurance [Line Items] Insurance [Line Items] Third party investments, classified as cash and cash equivalents Environmental Issue [Member] Environmental Issue [Member] Number of alleged environmental contamination sites (in sites) Administrative Judicial and Other Mandatory Cleanup Efforts Total Sites Administrative, Judicial and Other Mandatory Cleanup Efforts, Total Sites Number of environmental superfund sites (in sites) Administrative Judicial and Other Mandatory Cleanup Efforts Superfund Sites Administrative, Judicial and Other Mandatory Cleanup Efforts, Superfund Sites Recorded Liability For Third Party Environmental Tort Claims Recorded Liability For Third Party Environmental Tort Claims Recorded Liability For Third Party Environmental Tort Claims Accrued obligations for environmental matters, current liabilities Accrued Environmental Loss Contingencies, Current Years in which accrued environmental costs will be paid over Site Contingency, Estimated Time Frame for Accrued Cost Distributions Site Contingency, Estimated Time Frame for Accrued Cost Distributions Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward] Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward] Beginning balance Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies Accruals / changes in estimates Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies, Provision and Changes in Estimates Amount of expense for newly incurred environmental loss contingencies and revisions to previously reported estimates Payments Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies, Payments Ending balance Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Maturity Schedule [Abstract] Other Intangible Assets and Liabilities Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets and Liabilities [Text Block] Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets and Liabilities [Text Block] Tax Period [Axis] Tax Period [Axis] Tax Period [Domain] Tax Period [Domain] Earliest Tax Year [Member] Earliest Tax Year [Member] Parent Company Parent Company [Member] Cash distributions Tax payments to parent company Income Tax Payments, To Parent By Reporting Entity Income Tax Payments, To Parent By Reporting Entity Receivable from parent company Accounts Receivable, Related Parties Payable to parent company Accounts Payable, Related Parties Tax payable to parent related to prior year tax audits Tax payable to parent by reporting entity Tax payable to parent by reporting entity Related Party Transaction Revenue with Affiliates Revenue from Related Parties Related Party Transaction Expenditures from Transactions with Related Party Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] Ownership Percentage in TTX Company Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage Investments related to TTX Equity Method Investments Entities [Table] Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Entity Information [Line Items] Entity Information [Line Items] Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Document Type Document Type Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets and Liabilities Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets and Liabilities Amortization Expense Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets and Liabilities Amortization Expense [Table Text Block] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets and Liabilities Amortization Expense [Table Text Block] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets and Liabilities, Future Amortization Expense Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets and Liabilities, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets and Liabilities, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block] Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation [Member] Northern Sante Fe Corporation [Member] Northern Sante Fe Corporation [Member] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Acquired remaining outstanding shares, percentage Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Remaining Equity Interest Acquired, Percentage In a business combination achieved in stages, this element represents the percentage aquired of the remaining equity interest in the acquiree not already owned. Holders of membership interests Holders of Membership Interests Holders of Membership Interests Schedule of Loss Contingencies by Contingency Schedule of Loss Contingencies by Contingency [Table Text Block] Accrued Obligations for Environmental Matters Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Table Text Block] Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Table Text Block] Amortized intangible assets, gross carrying amount Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Amortized intangible assets, accumulated amortization Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Amortized intangible liabilities, gross carrying amount Finite-Lived Intangible Liabilities, Gross Amount before amortization of liabilities, excluding financial liabilities, lacking physical substance with a finite life. Amortized intangible liabilities, accumulated amortization Finite-Lived Intangible Liabilities, Accumulated Amortization Finite-Lived Intangible Liabilities, Accumulated Amortization Amortization of Intangible Assets Amortization of Intangible Assets Amortization of Intangible Liabilities Amortization of Intangible Liabilities Amortization of Intangible Liabilities Finite-Lived Intangible Assets and Liabilities, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract] Amortization of intangible assets, Remainder of 2018 Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Remainder of Fiscal Year Amortization of intangible liabilities, Remainder of 2018 Finite-Lived Intangible Liabilities, Amortization Expense, Remainder of Fiscal Year Finite-Lived Intangible Liabilities, Amortization Expense, Remainder of Fiscal Year Amortization of intangible assets, 2019 Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two Amortization of intangible liabilities, 2019 Finite-Lived Intangible Liabilities, Amortization Expense, Year Two Finite-Lived Intangible Liabilities, Amortization Expense, Year Two Amortization of intangible assets, 2020 Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three Amortization of intangible liabilities, 2020 Finite-Lived Intangible Liabilities, Amortization Expense, Year Three Finite-Lived Intangible Liabilities, Amortization Expense, Year Three Amortization of intangible assets, 2021 Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four Amortization of intangible liabilities, 2021 Finite-Lived Intangible Liabilities, Amortization Expense, Year Four Finite-Lived Intangible Liabilities, Amortization Expense, Year Four Amortization of intangible assets, 2022 Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five Amortization of intangible liabilities, 2022 Finite-Lived Intangible Liabilities, Amortization Expense, Year Five Finite-Lived Intangible Liabilities, Amortization Expense, Year Five Schedule of Net Benefit Costs Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block] Trading Securities [Table Text Block] Trading Securities [Table Text Block] Adjustments for Change in Accounting Principle [Axis] Adjustments for Change in Accounting Principle [Axis] Adjustments for Change in Accounting Principle [Domain] Adjustments for Change in Accounting Principle [Domain] Restatement to Prior Year Income [Table Text Block] Restatement to Prior Year Income [Table Text Block]