Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] 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 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 Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Schedule of Guarantor Obligations Schedule of Guarantor Obligations [Table Text Block] New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract] Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Loss Contingencies [Table] Loss Contingencies [Table] Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Personal Injury Personal Injury [Member] Personal Injury [Member] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Minimum Minimum [Member] Maximum Maximum [Member] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Loss contingency, estimate of possible loss 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 Current portion of ending balance Loss Contingency, Accrual, Current Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] 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] 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 Retirement Benefits [Abstract] Employment Benefit Plans Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Assets Assets [Abstract] Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Accounts receivable, net Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current 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 $12,401 and $12,101, respectively Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Goodwill Goodwill Operating lease right-of-use assets Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset 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 and finance leases due within one year Long-term Debt and Lease Obligation, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Long-term debt and finance leases Long-term Debt and Lease Obligation Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Liabilities, Net Operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, 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. Pension and retiree health and welfare liability Liability, Defined Benefit Plan, Noncurrent Other liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Total liabilities Liabilities Commitments and contingencies (see Note 5) Commitments and Contingencies Equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Member’s equity Members' Equity Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Total equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total liabilities and equity Liabilities and Equity Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Disaggregation of Revenue Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block] Environmental Issue Environmental Issue [Member] Number of alleged environmental contamination sites Administrative Judicial and Other Mandatory Cleanup Efforts Total Sites Administrative, Judicial and Other Mandatory Cleanup Efforts, Total Sites Future costs to settle claims and associated liability 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 Current portion of ending balance Accrued Environmental Loss Contingencies, Current 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] Parent Company Parent Company [Member] Related Party Transaction [Line Items] Related Party Transaction [Line Items] 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. Tax payments to parent company Income Tax Payments, To Parent By Reporting Entity Income Tax Payments, To Parent By Reporting Entity Tax refunds from Parent company Proceeds from Income Tax Refunds Accounts Payable, Related Parties Accounts Payable, Related Parties 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 Equity Method Investments Equity Method Investments Receivables [Abstract] Accounts Receivable, Net Accounts and Nontrade Receivable [Text Block] Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Net income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Other comprehensive income: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Change in pension and retiree health and welfare benefits, net of tax Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Reclassification Adjustment, after Tax 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 Revenue from Contract with Customer Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block] Related Party Transactions Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] 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 Commercial Paper, Bank Time Deposits, and Money Market Funds [Member] Commercial Paper, Bank Time Deposits, and Money Market Funds [Member] Consolidated Entities [Axis] Consolidated Entities [Axis] Consolidated Entities [Domain] Consolidated Entities [Domain] BNSF Insurance Company BNSF Insurance Company [Member] BNSF Insurance Company [Member] Insurance recoveries Insurance Recoveries Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Schedule of Guarantor Obligations [Table] Schedule of Guarantor Obligations [Table] Ownership [Axis] Ownership [Axis] Ownership [Domain] Ownership [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] Guarantee Entity Name [Axis] Guarantee Entity Name [Axis] Guarantee Entity Name [Axis] Guarantee Entity Name [Domain] Guarantee Entity Name [Domain] Guarantee Entity Name [Domain] 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 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] Three Point Zero Five Percent Due February 15, 2051 Three Point Zero Five Percent Due February 15, 2051 [Member] Three Point Zero Five Percent Due February 15, 2051 [Member] Three Point Six Percent Debenture Due September 1, 2020 Three Point Six Percent Debenture Due September 1, 2020 [Member] Three Point Six Percent Debenture Due September 1, 2020 [Member] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Corporate Debt Securities Corporate Debt Securities [Member] SEC Debt Shelf Registration SEC Debt Shelf Registration [Member] SEC Debt Shelf Registration [Member] Junior Subordinated Debt Junior Subordinated Debt [Member] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument, Face Amount Debt Instrument, Face Amount Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 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. 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] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 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 Debt and Equity Securities, FV-NI, 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 and finance leases Repayments of Long-term Debt Cash distributions Other, net Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Net cash used in financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Excluding Exchange Rate Effect Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value [Abstract] Beginning of period Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents End of period Supplemental Cash Flow Information Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized Interest Paid, Excluding Capitalized Interest, Operating Activities Capital investments accrued but not yet paid Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid Income taxes paid, net of refunds Income Taxes Paid, Net Non-cash asset financing Lease Obligation Incurred 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 Small Business Entity Small Business Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Shell Company Entity Shell Company Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity [Abstract] Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Member’s Equity Members Equity [Member] Member's equity. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Beginning Balance Cash distributions Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Ending Balance Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Segments [Domain] Segments [Domain] Consumer Products Consumer Products [Member] Consumer Products commodity group portion of total freight revenues. Industrial Products Industrial Products [Member] Industrial Products commodity group portion of total freight revenues. Agricultural Products Agricultural Products [Member] Agricultural Products commodity group portion of total freight revenues. Coal Coal [Member] Non-rail logistics subsidiary non-rail logistics subsidiary [Domain] non-rail logistics subsidiary [Domain] Accessorial and other Accessorial and other [Domain] Accessorial and other [Member] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Revenues Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Total freight revenues Total Freight Revenues Total Freight Revenues Total other revenues Total other revenues Total other revenues Net receivables from contracts with customers Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss Remaining performance obligations Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount Accounts receivable, allowance for credit loss Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss Schedule of Related Party Transactions Schedule of Related Party Transactions [Table Text Block] Schedule of Net Benefit Costs Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block] Income Statement [Abstract] 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 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 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 Pension Plan [Member] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Number of months for highest consecutive compensation Number of months for Highest Consecutive Compensation Number of months for Highest Consecutive Compensation Total number of years of salaried employees to qualify for pension plans Total Number of Years of Salaried Employees to qualify for Pension Plan Retirement Total Number of Years of Salaried Employees to qualify for Pension Plan Retirement Number of funded plans Defined Contribution Plan, Number of Funded Plans Defined Contribution Plan, Number of Funded Plans Transition period Defined Benefit Plan, Transition Period Defined Benefit Plan, Transition Period Curtailment gain as a result of plan amendments Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Increase (Decrease) for Plan Amendment Curtailment gain Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailment Amortization of prior service credits Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit) 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 Amortization of net gain Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gain (Loss) Net cost recognized Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Benefit cost component type [Axis] Benefit cost component type [Axis] Benefit cost component type [Axis] Benefit cost component type [Domain] Benefit cost component type [Domain] [Domain] for Benefit cost component type [Axis] Amortization of net gain Amortization of Actuarial Gains/ Losses [Member] Amortization of Actuarial Gains/ Losses [Member] Amortization of prior service costs/ credits Amortization of prior service costs/ credits [Member] Amortization of prior service costs/ credits [Member] Pension and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefit Items Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Equity Method Investments 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] Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Other comprehensive income (loss), net before reclassifications Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax Reclassification from AOCI, Before Tax Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax Tax expense (benefit) Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax Ending Balance Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Accounting Policies and Interim Results Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]