Commitments and Contingencies - Personal Injury (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Time deposits and money market accounts classified as cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,875	$ 3,040	$ 2,875	$ 3,040	$ 2,329	$ 2,384
BNSF Insurance Company | Bank Time Deposits and Money Market Funds
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Time deposits and money market accounts classified as cash and cash equivalents	$ 409		$ 409		410
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
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 369	374	$ 375	375
Accruals	16	30	66	67
Payments	(23)	(16)	(79)	(54)
Ending balance	362	388	362	$ 388
Personal Injury | Minimum [Member]
Asbestos and Personal Injury [Abstract]
Future costs to settle claims and associated liability	320		320
Personal Injury | Maximum [Member]
Asbestos and Personal Injury [Abstract]
Future costs to settle claims and associated liability	430		430
Personal Injury | Current Liabilities [Member]
Asbestos and Personal Injury [Abstract]
Accrued obligations for asbestos and other personal injury matters, current liabilities	85		$ 85		$ 85
Asbestos Issue [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Increase in asbestos liability	$ 0	$ 5