Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Buildings and leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum	3
Property and Equipment, Useful Life, Maximum	30
Bridges/tunnels/culverts
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum	20
Property and Equipment, Useful Life, Maximum	50
Track property
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum	5
Property and Equipment, Useful Life, Maximum	50
Computer equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum	2
Property and Equipment, Useful Life, Maximum	7
Locomotives and rail cars
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum	5
Property and Equipment, Useful Life, Maximum	30
Vehicles and mobile equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum	5
Property and Equipment, Useful Life, Maximum	10
Signals and crossing equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum	10
Property and Equipment, Useful Life, Maximum	30
Track equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum	5
Property and Equipment, Useful Life, Maximum	10
Other equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum	3
Property and Equipment, Useful Life, Maximum	20