Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash distributions	$ 2,750	$ 2,750
Parent Company
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash distributions	2,750	2,750
Tax refund from parent company	0	426
Tax payments to parent company	$ 681	$ 173

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.

No definition available.

Name:	bni_CashDistributionsDividendsPaid
Namespace Prefix:	bni_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration