The Company (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021 mi numberOfStates numberOfSegments numberOfHoldersOfMembershipInterest Number_of_provinces	Feb. 12, 2010
Nature Of Operations [Line Items]
Rail route network distance (in miles), over | mi	32,500
Number of states in which entity operates | numberOfStates	28
Number of Canadian provinces In which entity operates | Number_of_provinces	3
Number of operating transportation service segments | numberOfSegments	1
Consumer Products
Nature Of Operations [Line Items]
Percentage of total freight revenues from one operating segment	38.00%
Industrial Products
Nature Of Operations [Line Items]
Percentage of total freight revenues from one operating segment	24.00%
Agricultural Products
Nature Of Operations [Line Items]
Percentage of total freight revenues from one operating segment	23.00%
Coal
Nature Of Operations [Line Items]
Percentage of total freight revenues from one operating segment	15.00%
Burlington Northern Sante Fe Corporation
Nature Of Operations [Line Items]
Percentage of outstanding shares acquired by parent company		100.00%
Holders of membership interests | numberOfHoldersOfMembershipInterest	1