<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.24.0.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>189</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>357</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>52</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>9</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000001 - Document - Cover Page</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/CoverPage</Role>
      <ShortName>Cover Page</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000002 - Document - Audit Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/AuditInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Audit Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000003 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000004 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000005 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000006 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000007 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofChangesinEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000008 - Disclosure - The Company</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/TheCompany</Role>
      <ShortName>The Company</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000009 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/SignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000010 - Disclosure - Accounting Pronouncements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/AccountingPronouncements</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounting Pronouncements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000011 - Disclosure - Revenue from Contracts with Customers</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomers</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue from Contracts with Customers</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000012 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000013 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable, Net</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/AccountsReceivableNet</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable, Net</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000014 - Disclosure - Business Combinations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/BusinessCombinations</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Combinations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000015 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment, Net</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentNet</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment, Net</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000016 - Disclosure - Goodwill</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/Goodwill</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000017 - Disclosure - Leases</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/Leases</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000018 - Disclosure - Other Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/OtherAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Assets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000019 - Disclosure - Accounts Payable and Other Current Liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/AccountsPayableandOtherCurrentLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Payable and Other Current Liabilities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000020 - Disclosure - Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/Debt</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000021 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/CommitmentsandContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000022 - Disclosure - Employment Benefit Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/EmploymentBenefitPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Employment Benefit Plans</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000023 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactions</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000024 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954471 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bnsf.com/role/SignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954472 - Disclosure - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bnsf.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomers</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954473 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bnsf.com/role/IncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954474 - Disclosure - Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/BusinessCombinationsandAssetAcquisitionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954475 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment, Net (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentNetTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment, Net (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bnsf.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentNet</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954476 - Disclosure - Leases (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/LeasesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bnsf.com/role/Leases</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954477 - Disclosure - Other Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/OtherAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bnsf.com/role/OtherAssets</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954478 - Disclosure - Accounts Payable and Other Current Liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/AccountsPayableandOtherCurrentLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Payable and Other Current Liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bnsf.com/role/AccountsPayableandOtherCurrentLiabilities</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954479 - Disclosure - Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/DebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bnsf.com/role/Debt</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954480 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bnsf.com/role/CommitmentsandContingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954481 - Disclosure - Employment Benefit Plans (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/EmploymentBenefitPlansTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Employment Benefit Plans (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bnsf.com/role/EmploymentBenefitPlans</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954482 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bnsf.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactions</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954483 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bnsf.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954484 - Disclosure - The Company (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/TheCompanyDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>The Company (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bnsf.com/role/TheCompany</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954486 - Disclosure - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bnsf.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954487 - Disclosure - Income Tax Expense(Benefit) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Tax Expense(Benefit) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954488 - Disclosure - Reconciliation of Statutory and Effective Tax Rates (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/ReconciliationofStatutoryandEffectiveTaxRatesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Reconciliation of Statutory and Effective Tax Rates (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954489 - Disclosure - Components of Deferred Tax Assets / (Liabilities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/ComponentsofDeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Components of Deferred Tax Assets / (Liabilities) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954490 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954491 - Disclosure - Uncertain Tax Positions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/UncertainTaxPositionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Uncertain Tax Positions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954492 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable, Net (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/AccountsReceivableNetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable, Net (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bnsf.com/role/AccountsReceivableNet</ParentRole>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954493 - Disclosure - Business Combinations and Measurement Period Adjustments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/BusinessCombinationsandMeasurementPeriodAdjustmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Combinations and Measurement Period Adjustments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954494 - Disclosure - Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/BusinessCombinationsandAssetAcquisitionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bnsf.com/role/BusinessCombinationsandAssetAcquisitionsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954495 - Disclosure - Business Combinations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/BusinessCombinationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Combinations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bnsf.com/role/BusinessCombinationsandAssetAcquisitionsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954496 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment, Net (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentNetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment, Net (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bnsf.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentNetTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954497 - Disclosure - Goodwill Impairment and Carrying Value (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/GoodwillImpairmentandCarryingValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill Impairment and Carrying Value (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954498 - Disclosure - Lease Cost (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/LeaseCostDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Lease Cost (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954499 - Disclosure - Assets and Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/AssetsandLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Assets and Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954500 - Disclosure - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/SupplementalCashFlowInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954501 - Disclosure - Other Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/OtherInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954502 - Disclosure - Maturities of Lease Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/MaturitiesofLeaseLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Maturities of Lease Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954503 - Disclosure - Other Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/OtherAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bnsf.com/role/OtherAssetsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954504 - Disclosure - Accounts Payable and Other Current Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/AccountsPayableandOtherCurrentLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Payable and Other Current Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bnsf.com/role/AccountsPayableandOtherCurrentLiabilitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954505 - Disclosure - Debt Outstanding (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/DebtOutstandingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt Outstanding (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954506 - Disclosure - Notes and Debentures Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/NotesandDebenturesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes and Debentures Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954507 - Disclosure - Debt Obligation Maturities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/DebtObligationMaturitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt Obligation Maturities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954508 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies Personal Injury (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesPersonalInjuryDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies Personal Injury (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954509 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies Environmental (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesEnvironmentalDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies Environmental (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954511 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies BNSF Insurance Company (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesBNSFInsuranceCompanyDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies BNSF Insurance Company (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954512 - Disclosure - Guarantees (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/GuaranteesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantees (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954513 - Disclosure - Employment Benefit Plans Net Cost (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/EmploymentBenefitPlansNetCostDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Employment Benefit Plans Net Cost (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954514 - Disclosure - Employment Benefit Plans Change in Benefit Obligation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/EmploymentBenefitPlansChangeinBenefitObligationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Employment Benefit Plans Change in Benefit Obligation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954515 - Disclosure - Employment Benefit Plans Change in Plan Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/EmploymentBenefitPlansChangeinPlanAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Employment Benefit Plans Change in Plan Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954516 - Disclosure - Employment Benefit Plans Plans with ABO in Excess of Plan Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/EmploymentBenefitPlansPlanswithABOinExcessofPlanAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Employment Benefit Plans Plans with ABO in Excess of Plan Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954517 - Disclosure - Employment Benefit Plans AOCI (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/EmploymentBenefitPlansAOCIDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Employment Benefit Plans AOCI (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bnsf.com/role/EmploymentBenefitPlansTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954518 - Disclosure - Employment Benefit Plans Assumptions Used (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/EmploymentBenefitPlansAssumptionsUsedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Employment Benefit Plans Assumptions Used (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954519 - Disclosure - Employment Benefit Plans Plan Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/EmploymentBenefitPlansPlanAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Employment Benefit Plans Plan Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954520 - Disclosure - Employment Benefit Plans Expected Benefit Payments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/EmploymentBenefitPlansExpectedBenefitPaymentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Employment Benefit Plans Expected Benefit Payments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954521 - Disclosure - Employment Benefit Plans Other Details (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/EmploymentBenefitPlansOtherDetailsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Employment Benefit Plans Other Details (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954522 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bnsf.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bni-20231231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954523 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Reclassifications out of AOCI (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bnsf.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationsoutofAOCIDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Reclassifications out of AOCI (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File doctype="10-K" isDefinitelyFs="true" isUsgaap="true" original="bni-20231231.htm">bni-20231231.htm</File>
    <File>bni-20231231.xsd</File>
    <File>bni-20231231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>bni-20231231_def.xml</File>
    <File>bni-20231231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>bni-20231231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles>
    <File>bni-20231231_g1.jpg</File>
    <File>bni-20231231_g2.jpg</File>
  </SupplementalFiles>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="768">http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2023</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="34">http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
