Current portion of ending balance Accrued Environmental Loss Contingencies, Current Maximum Maximum [Member] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Cash and Cash Equivalents [Domain] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Domain] Other liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Segment Reporting [Abstract] Goodwill Goodwill Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Retirement Plan Type [Axis] TTX Company TTX Company [Member] TTX Company Employment Benefit Plans Retirement Benefits [Text Block] Beginning balance Ending balance Loss Contingency Accrual 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. Operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent Total operating expenses Operating Expenses Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net of Tax, Period Change [Abstract] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Period Change [Abstract] Expected return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return (Loss) on Plan Assets Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Net cash used in financing activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation Accounts receivable, allowance for credit loss Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Consolidated Entities [Axis] Consolidated Entities [Axis] Internal-Use Software, Amortization Expense Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, Amortization Expense Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived [Line Items] Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived [Line Items] Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax Financing Activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation [Abstract] Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $23,215 and $22,327, respectively Property, Plant, and Equipment, after Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization Revenues Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Loss Contingencies [Table] Loss Contingencies [Table] Interest cost Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity [Abstract] Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity [Abstract] Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity [Abstract] Environmental Issue Environmental Issue [Member] Other comprehensive income (loss): Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Distributions 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. Consolidated Entities [Domain] Consolidated Entities [Domain] Related Party Transactions Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Equity Method Investments Equity Method Investee [Member] Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, Class [Axis] Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, Class [Axis] Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, State or Province Revenue from Contract with Customer Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block] Agricultural and Energy Products Agricultural Products [Member] Agricultural Products commodity group portion of total freight revenues. 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. Retirement Benefits [Abstract] Retirement Benefits [Abstract] Other, net Payment for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activity Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table] Related Party Transaction [Table] Personal Injury Personal Injury [Member] Personal Injury [Member] Other current assets Other Assets, Current Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town Operating income Operating Income (Loss) Tax Payable, Berkshire Taxes Payable Software, Internally Developed and Purchased Software, Internally Developed and Purchased [Member] Remaining performance obligations Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Receivables [Abstract] Receivables [Abstract] Total equity Beginning Balance Ending Balance Members' Equity Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Internal-Use Software, Net of Accumulated Amortization Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, after Accumulated Amortization Related Party Transaction [Domain] Related Party Transaction [Domain] 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. Number of alleged environmental contamination sites Administrative Judicial and Other Mandatory Cleanup Efforts Total Sites Administrative, Judicial and Other Mandatory Cleanup Efforts, Total Sites Internal-Use Software, Accumulated Amortization Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, Accumulated Amortization Entity File Number Entity File Number Service cost Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Car Hire Expenditures with TTX Other Expenses Parent Company Parent Company [Member] Benefit cost component type [Axis] Benefit cost component type [Axis] Benefit cost component type [Axis] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments [Table] Entity Information [Line Items] Entity Information [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 acquired of the remaining equity interest in the acquiree not already owned. Capital investments accrued but not yet paid Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Materials and other Other Cost and Expense, Operating Accounts receivable, net Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable 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. Related Party [Axis] Related and Nonrelated Parties [Axis] Product and Service [Domain] Product and Service [Domain] SEC Debt Shelf Registration SEC Debt Shelf Registration [Member] SEC Debt Shelf Registration [Member] Income taxes paid, net of refunds Income Tax Paid, after Refund Received Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current Book value of debt excluding finance leases Long-Term Debt Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Liabilities, Net Accounts payable and other current liabilities Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current Entity Small Business Entity Small Business Total comprehensive income Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Document Period End Date Document Period End Date 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 Changes in current assets and liabilities: Adjustment to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] 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] Net cash used in investing activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation Change in pension and retiree health and welfare benefits, net of tax Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Reclassification Adjustment, after Tax Payments Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies, Payments Other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Document Type Document Type BNSF Insurance Company BNSF Insurance Company [Member] BNSF Insurance Company [Member] Materials and supplies Materials, Supplies, and Other Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Entity Shell Company Entity Shell Company Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation Items [Domain] Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and Cash Equivalent [Abstract] Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Total freight revenues Total Freight Revenues Total Freight Revenues Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Axis] Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Income before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Total liabilities Liabilities Commitments and contingencies (see Note 7) Commitments and Contingencies Remaining Debt Securities Authorized by the Board Remaining Debt Securities Authorized by the Board Remaining Debt Securities Authorized by the Board Accounts payable and other current liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Liabilities and Equity Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, Class [Domain] Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, Class [Domain] Purchased services Purchased services The amount of expense for contract services provided to the Company. Coal Coal [Member] Pension and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefit Items Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Materials and supplies Increase (Decrease) in Materials and Supplies Supplemental Cash Flow Information Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Operating Activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Including Discontinued Operation [Abstract] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Related Party Transaction [Line Items] Related Party Transaction [Line Items] Pension and retiree health and welfare liability Liability, Defined Benefit Plan, Noncurrent Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Benefit cost component type [Domain] Benefit cost component type [Domain] [Domain] for Benefit cost component type [Axis] Entities [Table] Entities [Table] Beginning of period End of period Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Continuing Operation Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived [Table] Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived [Table] Entity Incorporation, State Country Name Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Accounting Policies and Interim Results Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Ownership Percentage in TTX Company Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage Compensation and benefits Labor and Related Expense Intangible Asset, Goodwill and Other [Abstract] Investment, Name [Domain] Investment, Name [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-Term Debt, Type [Domain] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Total current assets Assets, Current Statistical Measurement [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Member’s Equity Members Equity [Member] Member's equity. Accounts receivable, net Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Fair value of debt excluding finance leases Long-Term Debt, Fair Value Product and Service [Axis] Product and Service [Axis] Schedule of Net Benefit Costs Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block] Interest expense Interest and Debt Expense Pension Plan Pension Plan [Member] Accounts Receivable, Net Accounts and Nontrade Receivable [Text Block] Operating lease right-of-use assets Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset Consumer Products Consumer Products [Member] Consumer Products commodity group portion of total freight revenues. Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Long-term debt and finance leases due within one year Long-Term Debt and Lease Obligation, Current Segment Reporting Segment Reporting [Text Block] Minimum Minimum [Member] Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Period Increase (Decrease), Excluding Exchange Rate Effect, Including Discontinued Operation Disaggregation of Revenue Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block] Total liabilities and equity Liabilities and Equity Industrial Products Industrial Products [Member] Industrial Products commodity group portion of total freight revenues. Beginning Balance Ending Balance Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Amortization of actuarial (gains) losses Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Loss contingency, estimate of possible loss Possible future costs to settle claims Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss Business Combination [Line Items] Business Combination [Line Items] Related Party [Domain] Related and Nonrelated Parties [Domain] Net (benefit) cost recognized Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) Internal-Use Software, Useful Life Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, Useful Life Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Other (income) expense, net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Investing Activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation [Abstract] Related Party Transaction [Axis] Related Party Transaction [Axis] Purchases of investments and investments in time deposits Payments to Acquire Investments Document Quarterly Report Document Quarterly Report Segments [Domain] Segments [Domain] 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 Holders of membership interests Holders of Membership Interests Holders of Membership Interests Net receivables from contracts with customers Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Payments on long-term debt and finance leases Repayments of Long-Term Debt Equity Method Investments Related to TTX Equity Method Investments Business Combination [Table] Business Combination [Table] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized Interest Paid, Excluding Capitalized Interest, Operating Activity Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Long-term debt and finance leases Long-Term Debt and Lease Obligation Assets Assets [Abstract] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Current Assets Accounting Policies [Abstract] 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 Retirement Plan Type [Domain] Retirement Plan Type [Domain] Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Short-Term Investments in U.S. Treasury Bills Short-Term Investments Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward] Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward] Accrued Obligations for Environmental Matters Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Table Text Block] Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Table Text Block] Other, net Proceeds from (Payment for) Other Financing Activity Tax refunds from Berkshire Proceeds from Income Tax Refunds Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalent 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 Business Combination [Domain] Business Combination [Domain] Other revenues Accessorial and other [Domain] Accessorial and other [Member] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Accumulated depreciation Property, Plant, and Equipment, Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization Other, net Adjustment to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Other Item Business Combination [Axis] Business Combination [Axis] Net cash provided by operating activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Including Discontinued Operation Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Other comprehensive income (loss), net before reclassifications Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax Equity: Equity, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Document Transition Report Document Transition Report Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Number of months for highest consecutive compensation Number of months for Highest Consecutive Compensation Number of months for Highest Consecutive Compensation Investment, Name [Axis] Investment, Name [Axis] Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Payments Loss Contingency Accrual, Payments Operating expenses: Operating Expenses [Abstract] Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation Northern Sante Fe Corporation [Member] Northern Sante Fe Corporation [Member] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustment to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Noncash Item [Abstract] Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Tax payments to Berkshire Income Tax Payments, To Parent By Reporting Entity Income Tax Payments, To Parent By Reporting Entity Current portion of ending balance Loss Contingency, Accrual, Current City Area Code City Area Code Member’s equity Members' Capital Amortization of net loss Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gain (Loss) Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Text Block] Fuel Fuel Costs Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Net income Net income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-Term Debt, Type [Axis] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Schedule of Loss Contingencies by Contingency Schedule of Loss Contingencies by Contingency [Table Text Block] Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward] Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward] Internal-Use Software Intangible Asset [Text Block] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Total assets Assets Amortization of actuarial (gains) losses Amortization of Actuarial Gains/ Losses [Member] Amortization of Actuarial Gains/ Losses [Member] Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Defined Benefit Plan [Table] Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Axis] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Axis] Beginning balance Ending balance Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies