Commitments and Contingencies - Personal Injury (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Time deposits and money market accounts classified as cash and cash equivalents	$ 4,566	$ 1,606	$ 3,218	$ 2,329
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	$ 467		457
Unasserted Claim
Asbestos and Personal Injury [Abstract]
Percent of future unasserted asbestos claims to be filed within the next ten years	65.00%
Percent of future unasserted asbestos claims to be filed within the next fifteen years	80.00%
Percent of future unasserted asbestos claims to be filed within the next twenty-five years	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]
Accrued obligations for asbestos and other personal injury matters, current liabilities	$ 85		$ 85
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	367	375
Accruals	14	33
Payments	(14)	(37)
Ending balance	367	$ 371
Personal Injury | Minimum [Member]
Asbestos and Personal Injury [Abstract]
Future costs to settle claims and associated liability	320
Personal Injury | Maximum [Member]
Asbestos and Personal Injury [Abstract]
Future costs to settle claims and associated liability	$ 435