Commitments and Contingencies - Personal Injury (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,728	$ 1,926	$ 2,728	$ 1,926	$ 2,384	$ 2,225
Unasserted Claim
Asbestos and Personal Injury [Abstract]
Percent of future unasserted asbestos claims to be filed within the next ten years	60.00%		60.00%
Percent of future unasserted asbestos claims to be filed within the next fifteen years	80.00%		80.00%
Percent of future unasserted asbestos claims to be filed within the next twenty-five years	95.00%		95.00%
Length in years for 60 percent of future unasserted asbestos claims to be filed			10 years
Length in years for 80 percent of future unasserted asbestos claims to be filed			15 years
Length in years for 95 percent of future unasserted asbestos claims to be filed			25 years
Personal Injury
Asbestos and Personal Injury [Abstract]
Future costs to settle personal injury claims, minimum	$ 330		$ 330
Future costs to settle personal injury claims, maximum	440		440
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	373	386	375	387
Accruals	19	18	37	36
Payments	(18)	(19)	(38)	(38)
Ending balance	374	$ 385	374	$ 385
Bank Time Deposits and Money Market Funds | BNSF Insurance Company
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	375		375		$ 485
Current Liabilities [Member]
Asbestos and Personal Injury [Abstract]
Accrued obligations for asbestos and other personal injury matters, current liabilities	$ 80		$ 80