Commitments and Contingencies - Personal Injury (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 3,040	$ 2,470	$ 3,040	$ 2,470	$ 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	65.00%		65.00%
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 65 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	$ 345		$ 345
Future costs to settle personal injury claims, maximum	455		455
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	374	385	375	387
Accruals	30	17	67	53
Payments	(16)	(14)	(54)	(52)
Ending balance	388	388	388	$ 388
Bank Time Deposits and Money Market Funds | BNSF Insurance Company
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	390		390		$ 485
Current Liabilities [Member]
Asbestos and Personal Injury [Abstract]
Accrued obligations for asbestos and other personal injury matters, current liabilities	80		$ 80
Asbestos Issue [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Increase in personal injury expense	$ 5
Decrease in personal injury expense		$ 2