The balance as of the reporting period of the amount owed by the reporting entity to counterparties in securitized loan transactions.

Name:	nsc_AccountsReceivableSecuritizationBalance
Namespace Prefix:	nsc
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element is used to disclose the authority the Company has from the Board of Directors to issue additional debt or equity securities through public or private sale.

+ Details

Name:	nsc_AuthorityToIssueDebtEquitySecurities
Namespace Prefix:	nsc
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element is used to disclose the cash premium paid for the exchange of the existing debt to the new debt.

+ Details

Name:	nsc_CashPremiumDebtExchange
Namespace Prefix:	nsc
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The value of the financial instrument(s) that the original debt is being converted into in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 32

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4332-108586

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The year (YYYY) of expiration or mandatory redemption of the financial instrument issued in exchange for the original debt being converted in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtConversionConvertedInstrumentExpirationOrDueDateYear
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:gYearItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The dividend or interest rate, if any, associated with the financial instrument issued in exchange for the original debt being converted in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtConversionConvertedInstrumentRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of the original debt being converted in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtConversionOriginalDebtAmount1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The year (YYYY) in which the original debt was scheduled to mature.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtConversionOriginalDebtDueDateOfDebtYear
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:gYearItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The rate of interest that was being paid on the original debt issue that is being converted in the noncash (or part noncash) transaction. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtConversionOriginalDebtInterestRateOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash inflow from a debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 14

-Subparagraph (b)

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-Paragraph 19

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow for a borrowing having initial term of repayment within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph (b)

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-Publisher FASB

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Reflects the calculation as of the balance sheet date of the average interest rate weighted by the amount of short-term debt outstanding by type or by instrument at that time.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19

-Subparagraph b

-Article 5

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

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-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Debt (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Repayments of short-term debt			$ 100
Average variable interest rate	1.49%			1.49%	1.54%
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		400
Accounts Receivable Securitization Balance	100			100	200
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		6.00%
New debt, debt exchange	600
Cash premium, debt exchange	146
Authority to issue debt/equity securities				600
Unsecured Note 4.837% Due 2041
New debt, debt exchange	596
New rate, debt exchange	4.837%
New due date, debt exchange	2041
Unsecured Note 6.00% Due 2111
New debt, debt exchange	4
New rate, debt exchange	6.00%
New due date, debt exchange	2111
Unsecured Note 7.05% Due 2037
Original debt	422
Original rate	7.05%
Original due date, year	2037
Unsecured Note 7.90% Due 2097
Original debt	77
Original rate	7.90%
Original due date, year	2097
Unsecured Note 7.25% Due 2031
Original debt	27
Original rate	7.25%
Original due date, year	2031
Previously Issued Notes [Member]
Original debt	$ 526