Merger (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]

The acquisition valuation was completed at December 31, 2010, and is summarized in the following tables (in millions):

Cash paid as merger consideration	$	15,874
Value of Berkshire common stock issued as merger consideration	10,577
Total merger consideration to acquire the remaining shares of Predecessor	26,451
Value of Predecessor already owned by Berkshire valued at merger price of $100.00 per share	7,678
Value of Berkshire equity awards to replace pre-existing Predecessor equity awards	366
Total purchase price recorded	$	34,495

Assets			Liabilities and net assets acquired
Cash and cash equivalents	$	971	Accounts payable and other current liabilities	$	2,261
Accounts receivable	808		Long-term debt due within one year	649
Materials and supplies	630		Long-term debt	10,493
Current portion of deferred income taxes	210		Deferred income taxes	13,413
Other current assets	144		Intangible liabilities	2,056
Property and equipment	43,987		Casualty and environmental liabilities	928
Goodwill	14,803		Pension and retiree health and welfare liability	865
Intangible assets	2,025		Other liabilities	513
Other assets	2,095		Net assets acquired	34,495
Total assets	$	65,673	Total liabilities and net assets acquired	$	65,673

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]

The following unaudited pro forma financial data summarizes BNSF’s results of operations as if the Merger had occurred as of January 1, 2009 (in millions):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2010
Revenues	$	16,883
Net income	$	2,549