Employment Benefit Plans Change in Plan Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Abstract]
Pension and Health and Welfare Benefit Plans, Liabilities		$ 289	$ 390
Pension and Health and Welfare Benefit Plans, Current Liabilities		30	30
Pension and Health and Welfare Benefit Plans, Other Assets		93	26
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		2,342	2,490
Actual return on plan assets		95	(3)
Employer contributions	[1]	11	12
Benefits paid		(145)	(141)
Administrative expenses		(1)	(1)
Settlements		(13)	(15)
Ending balance		2,289	2,342
Funded status (plan assets less projected benefit obligations)		(31)	(110)
Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		0	0
Employer contributions	[2]	20	17
Plan participants' contributions		5	6
Benefits paid		(25)	(23)
Ending balance		0	0
Funded status (plan assets less projected benefit obligations)		$ (258)	$ (280)

[1] Other than contributions to the BNSF Retirement Plan, employer contributions were classified as Other, Net under Operating Activities in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

[2] Employer contributions were classified as Other, Net under Operating Activities in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.