Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010 Successor	Dec. 31, 2011 Successor	Feb. 12, 2010 Predecessor	Dec. 31, 2009 Predecessor
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 2,235	$ 2,972	$ 224	$ 1,721
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,532	1,807	192	1,537
Deferred income taxes	710	1,509	127	612
Long-term casualty and environmental liabilities, net	(25)	(43)	(2)	(90)
Contributions to qualified pension plan	(400)	(36)	0	(255)
Other, net	(204)	(249)	(78)	45
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	(118)	(219)	(21)	116
Change in accounts receivable securitization program	0	0	0	(50)
Materials and supplies	(23)	(87)	3	(108)
Other current assets	104	(15)	(123)	(38)
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	539	381	(258)	(77)
Net cash provided by operating activities	4,350	6,020	64	3,413
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures excluding equipment	(1,829)	(2,562)	(137)	(1,991)
Acquisition of equipment	(445)	(763)	(67)	(733)
Proceeds from sale of equipment financed	0	0	0	368
Construction costs for facility financing obligation	0	0	0	(37)
Partnership investment	(443)	0	0	0
Other, net	(255)	(211)	68	(244)
Net cash used for investing activities	(2,972)	(3,536)	(136)	(2,637)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net decrease in commercial paper and bank borrowings	0	0	0	(100)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	1,500	1,500	0	825
Payments on long-term debt	(493)	(596)	(30)	(429)
Cash distributions/dividends paid	(1,250)	(3,500)	(226)	(546)
Proceeds from stock options exercised	0	0	21	59
Purchase of BNSF common stock	0	0	0	(16)
Excess tax benefits from equity compensation plans	0	0	9	29
Proceeds from facility financing obligation	0	0	0	51
Other, net	(19)	(15)	0	(13)
Net cash used for by financing activities	(262)	(2,611)	(226)	(140)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	1,116	(127)	(298)	636
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	971	2,087	1,269	633
End of period	2,087	1,960	971	1,269
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	539	666	97	587
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	665	(13)	0	264
Non-cash asset financing	$ 40	$ 1	$ 8	$ 514