2.2.0.7 true Debt (Details) (USD $) 0606 - Disclosure - Debt (Details) true false false false 1 USD false false USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 Pure Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance pure xbrli 0 Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 $ false 2 USD false false USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 $ false 3 USD true false false false bni_GuaranteeCompanyOneMember dei_LegalEntityAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi bni_GuaranteeCompanyOneMember dei_LegalEntityAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 Pure Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance pure xbrli 0 $ false 4 USD true false false false bni_GuaranteeCompanyTwoMember dei_LegalEntityAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi bni_GuaranteeCompanyTwoMember dei_LegalEntityAxis explicitMember Pure Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance pure xbrli 0 USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 $ false 5 USD true false false false bni_GuaranteeCompanyOthersMember dei_LegalEntityAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi bni_GuaranteeCompanyOthersMember dei_LegalEntityAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 Pure Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance pure xbrli 0 $ false 6 USD true false false false us-gaap_SuccessorMember us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_SuccessorMember us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 Pure Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance pure xbrli 0 $ false 7 USD true false false false us-gaap_PredecessorMember us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_PredecessorMember us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 Pure Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance pure xbrli 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 $ false 8 USD true false false false us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 $ false 9 USD true false false false us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 $ false 10 USD true false false false us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 $ false 11 USD true false false false us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 $ false 12 USD true false false false us-gaap_DebenturesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionMember us-gaap_ScheduleOfSharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionBySettlementTermsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_DebenturesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionMember us-gaap_ScheduleOfSharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionBySettlementTermsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 Pure Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance pure xbrli 0 $ 5 Debt and other obligations of non-consolidated entities guaranteed by the Company 3 bni_DebtAndOtherObligationsOfNonconsolidatedEntitiesGuaranteedByCompanyAbstract bni false na duration Debt and other obligations of non-consolidated entities guaranteed by the Company. false false false false false true false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:stringItemType string Debt and other obligations of non-consolidated entities guaranteed by the Company. false 6 BNSF Ownership Percentage 4 bni_OwnershipPercentage bni false na instant BNSF ownership percentage of non-consolidated entities for which BNSF guarantees debt or other obligations. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false true false false 0.005 0.005 true false false 4 false true false false 0 0 true false false 5 false true false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false us-types:percentItemType pure BNSF ownership percentage of non-consolidated entities for which BNSF guarantees debt or other obligations. No authoritative reference available. false 7 Principal Amount Guaranteed 4 bni_PrincipalAmountGuaranteed bni false credit instant Principal Amount Guaranteed. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 true true false false 190000000 190000000 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 true true false false 3000000 3000000 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Principal Amount Guaranteed. No authoritative reference available. false 8 Principal Amount Guaranteed for Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LP 4 bni_PrincipalAmountGuaranteedForNonConsolidatedEntity bni false na instant Principal Amount Guaranteed For Non consolidated Entity. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 N/A N/A [1] true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false us-types:textBlockItemType textblock Principal Amount Guaranteed For Non consolidated Entity. No authoritative reference available. false 9 Maximum Future Payments 4 us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure us-gaap true credit instant No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false true false false 190000000 190000000 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false true false false 3000000 3000000 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) the guarantor could be required to make under the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees before reduction for potential recoveries under recourse or collateralization provisions. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph b false 10 Maximum Future Payments for Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LP 4 bni_MaximumFuturePaymentsForNonConsolidatedEntity bni false na instant Maximum Future Payments for Non Consolidated Entity. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 N/A N/A [1] true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:stringItemType string Maximum Future Payments for Non Consolidated Entity. No authoritative reference available. false 11 Maximum Recourse Amount 4 bni_MaximumRecourseAmount bni false debit instant Maximum Recourse Amount. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false true false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false true false false 1000000 1000000 [2] true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Maximum Recourse Amount. No authoritative reference available. false 12 Maximum Recourse Amount for Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LP 4 bni_MaximumRecourseAmountForNonConsolidatedEntity bni false na instant Maximum Recourse Amount for non consolidated entity. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 N/A N/A [1],[2] true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:stringItemType string Maximum Recourse Amount for non consolidated entity. No authoritative reference available. false 13 Remaining Term (in years) 4 bni_RemainingTerm bni false na instant Remaining Term (in years). false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false true false false 7 7 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:integerItemType integer Remaining Term (in years). No authoritative reference available. false 14 Remaining Term (in years) 4 bni_RemainingTermInYears bni false na instant Remaining Term. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 Termination of Ownership Termination of Ownership true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 Various Various true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:stringItemType string Remaining Term. No authoritative reference available. false 15 Capitalized Obligations 4 us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsCurrentCarryingValue us-gaap true credit instant No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false true false false 2000000 2000000 [3] true false false 4 false true false false 12000000 12000000 [4] true false false 5 false true false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary The current carrying amount of the liability for the freestanding or embedded guarantor's obligations under the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 5 -Paragraph 9 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph c false 16 Debt (Textuals) [Abstract] 3 bni_DebtTextualsAbstract bni false na duration Debt Textuals. false false false false false true false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:stringItemType string Debt Textuals. false 17 Maximum borrowing capacity under long-term revolving bank credit facility 4 us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity us-gaap true credit instant No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 1200000000 1200000000 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 129 -Paragraph 2, 4 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 false 18 Expiry date of long-term revolving bank credit facility 4 bni_ExpiryDateOfLongTermRevolvingBankCreditFacility bni false na instant Expiry date of long-term revolving bank credit facility. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 September, 2012 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:stringItemType string Expiry date of long-term revolving bank credit facility. No authoritative reference available. false 19 Senior unsecured debt ratings for BNSF 4 bni_SeniorUnsecuredDebtRatingsForCompany bni false na instant Senior unsecured debt ratings for BNSF. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 A3/BBB+ false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 Baa1/BBB Baa1/BBB false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:stringItemType string Senior unsecured debt ratings for BNSF. No authoritative reference available. false 20 Annual facility fees 4 bni_AnnualFacilityFees bni false na instant Annual facility fees. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 0.0007 0.0007 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:pureItemType pure Annual facility fees. No authoritative reference available. false 21 Bank borrowings against the revolving credit facility 4 us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAmountOutstanding us-gaap true credit instant No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Amount borrowed under the credit facility as of the balance-sheet date. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 false 22 Commercial paper outstanding 4 us-gaap_CommercialPaper us-gaap true credit instant No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 0 0 false false false 2 false true false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of short-term borrowings using unsecured obligations issued by banks, corporations and other borrowers to investors. The maturities of these money market securities generally do not exceed 270 days. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Article 7 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19 -Subparagraph a(3) -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph 2 -Article 9 false 23 Total borrowing capacity available under the revolving bank credit facility 4 us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity us-gaap true credit instant No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 1200000000 1200000000 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 false 24 Additional debt securities authorized for issuance 4 bni_AdditionalDebtSecuritiesAuthorizedForIssuance bni false credit duration Additional debt securities authorized for issuance by the Board of Managers. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 750000000 750000000 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Additional debt securities authorized for issuance by the Board of Managers. No authoritative reference available. false 25 Total debt securities available for issuance during the period 4 bni_TotalDebtSecuritiesAvailableForIssuanceDuringPeriod bni false credit duration Total debt securities available for issuance during the period, which were authorized by the Board of Managers. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 1500000000 1500000000 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Total debt securities available for issuance during the period, which were authorized by the Board of Managers. No authoritative reference available. false 26 Total remaining debt securities authorized for issuance 4 bni_TotalRemainingDebtSecuritiesAuthorizedForIssuance bni false credit instant Total remaining debt securities authorized for issuance by the Board of Managers. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 750000000 750000000 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Total remaining debt securities authorized for issuance by the Board of Managers. No authoritative reference available. false 27 Capital lease obligations entered into during the period 4 us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsIncurred us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false true false false 19000000 19000000 true false false 7 false true false false 8000000 8000000 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary The increase during the period in capital lease obligations due to entering into new capital leases. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 32 false 28 Capital lease terms of obligations entered into during the period, Minimum 4 bni_CapitalLeaseTermsOfObligationsEnteredIntoDuringPeriodMinimum bni false na duration Capital lease terms of obligations entered into during the period, Minimum. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 5 years 5 years true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 5 years 5 years true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:stringItemType string Capital lease terms of obligations entered into during the period, Minimum. No authoritative reference available. false 29 Capital lease terms of obligations entered into during the period, Maximum 4 bni_CapitalLeaseTermsOfObligationsEnteredIntoDuringPeriodMaximum bni false na duration Capital lease terms of obligations entered into during the period, Maximum. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 7 years 7 years true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 7 years 7 years true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:stringItemType string Capital lease terms of obligations entered into during the period, Maximum. No authoritative reference available. false 30 Principal Amount Guaranteed 4 bni_PrincipalAmountGuaranteed bni false credit instant Principal Amount Guaranteed. false false false false false false false false false false false label false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false true false false 190000000 190000000 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false true false false 3000000 3000000 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Principal Amount Guaranteed. No authoritative reference available. false 31 Maximum Recourse Amount 4 bni_MaximumRecourseAmount bni false debit instant Maximum Recourse Amount. false false false false false false false false false false false label false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false true false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false true false false 1000000 1000000 [2] true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Maximum Recourse Amount. No authoritative reference available. false 32 Guarantee Expiry Range, Minimum 4 bni_GuaranteeExpiryRangeMinimum bni false na instant Guarantee Expiry Range Minimum. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 2011 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:stringItemType string Guarantee Expiry Range Minimum. No authoritative reference available. false 33 Guarantee Expiry Range, Maximum 4 bni_GuaranteeExpiryRangeMaximum bni false na instant Guarantee Expiry Range Maximum. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 2013 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:stringItemType string Guarantee Expiry Range Maximum. No authoritative reference available. false 34 Future minimum lease payments associated with VIE leases 4 bni_FutureMinimumLeasePaymentsAssociatedWithVieLeases bni false credit instant Future minimum lease payments associated with VIE leases. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 5000000000 5000000000 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Future minimum lease payments associated with VIE leases. No authoritative reference available. false 36 Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] 2 us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems us-gaap true na duration No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:stringItemType string Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. false 37 Long term debt 3 us-gaap_LongTermDebt us-gaap true credit instant No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false true false false 10594000000 10594000000 true false false 9 false true false false 9416000000 9416000000 true false false 10 false true false false 10072000000 10072000000 true false false 11 false true false false 8746000000 8746000000 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Including current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date. May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer, and after deducting unamortized discount or premiums, if any. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Article 7 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Article 9 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 20, 22 -Article 5 false 39 Shares Subject to Mandatory Redemption by Settlement Terms [Line Items] 2 us-gaap_SharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionBySettlementTermsLineItems us-gaap true na duration No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 true false false xbrli:stringItemType string Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. false 40 Debentures issued 3 us-gaap_DebtInstrumentIncreaseAdditionalBorrowings us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 true true false false 750000000 750000000 true false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Increase for additional borrowings on the debt instrument during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph f -Article 4 false 41 Interest on debentures 3 us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage us-gaap true na instant No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false true false false 0.0575 0.0575 true false false us-types:percentItemType pure Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 false 42 Due date of debentures 3 us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate us-gaap true na duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false false false false 0 0 true false false 9 false false false false 0 0 true false false 10 false false false false 0 0 true false false 11 false false false false 0 0 true false false 12 false false false false 0 0 2040-05-01 2040-05-01 true false false xbrli:dateItemType date Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, which may be presented in a variety of ways (year, month and year, day, month and year, quarter, etc.). 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 Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 129 -Paragraph 2, 4 false 1 There is no cap to the liability that can be sought from BNSF for BNSF's negligence or the negligence of the indemnified party. However, BNSF could receive reimbursement from certain insurance policies if the liability exceeds a certain amount. 2 Reflects the maximum amount the Company could recover from a third party other than the counterparty. 3 Reflects capitalized obligations that are recorded on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet. 4 Reflects the asset and corresponding liability for the fair value of these guarantees required by authoritative accounting guidance related to guarantees. 12 36 false NoRounding UnKnown UnKnown false true