1.0.0.3 true Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data in Thousands false 1 $ false false USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 false 2 $ false false USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 false 3 $ false false Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 2 Beginning Balance 2 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest us-gaap true credit instant monetary No definition available. false false false false false false true false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 true true 11131000000 11131 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 4 Common stock dividends, $1.20 per share 2 us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true -408000000 -408 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 5 Restricted stock and stock options expense 2 bni_RestrictedStockAndStockOptionsExpense bni false debit duration monetary The compensation expense recognized during the period pertaining to the share-based compensation plan. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true 32000000 32 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false The compensation expense recognized during the period pertaining to the share-based compensation plan. No authoritative reference available. false 6 Restricted stock activity and related tax expense of $1 2 bni_RestrictedStockActivityAndRelatedTaxBenefitsExpense bni false debit duration monetary Value of restricted stock activity and associated tax benefit (expense) during the period as a result of the share-based... false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true 1000000 1 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false Value of restricted stock activity and associated tax benefit (expense) during the period as a result of the share-based compensation plan. No authoritative reference available. false 8 Exercise of stock options and related tax benefit of $17 2 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true 43000000 43 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 10 Purchase of BNSF common stock 2 us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true -15000000 -15 [1] false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 12 Comprehensive income: 2 us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 13 Net income 2 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 488000000 488 false false 2 false true 1185000000 1185 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 14 Change in unrecognized prior service credit and actuarial losses, net of tax expense of $6 2 bni_ChangeInUnrecognizedPriorServiceCreditAndActuarialLossesNetOfTax bni false na duration monetary The adjustment out of other comprehensive income for prior service costs and actuarial losses recognized as a component of... false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true 9000000 9 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false The adjustment out of other comprehensive income for prior service costs and actuarial losses recognized as a component of net period benefit cost during the period, after tax. No authoritative reference available. false 15 Change in fuel/interest hedge mark-to-market and other items, net of tax expense of $155 2 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true 249000000 249 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 16 Recognized loss on derivative instruments-discontinued hedges, net of tax benefit of $16 2 bni_RecognizedLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsDiscontinuedHedgesNetOfTax bni false debit duration monetary Net of tax effect of discontinuance of hedge accounting on certain derivative instruments included in accumulated... false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true 27000000 27 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false Net of tax effect of discontinuance of hedge accounting on certain derivative instruments included in accumulated comprehensive income that was recognized in net income during the period. No authoritative reference available. false 17 Change in unrealized loss on securities held by equity method investees, net of tax expense of $1 2 bni_ChangeInUnrealizedLossOnSecuritiesHeldByEquityMethodInvesteesNetOfTaxExpense bni false credit duration monetary Change in accumulated gains and losses on securities held by equity method investees, net of tax effect. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true 1000000 1 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false Change in accumulated gains and losses on securities held by equity method investees, net of tax effect. No authoritative reference available. true 18 Total comprehensive income 2 us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true 1471000000 1471 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 19 Ending Balance 2 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest us-gaap true credit instant monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false true false 1 false true 12255000000 12255 false false 2 false true 12255000000 12255 false false 3 false true 11131000000 11131 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 21 Common Stock and Paid-in Capital 0 na true na na na No definition available. false true false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 22 Beginning Balance 2 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest us-gaap true credit instant monetary No definition available. false false false false false false true false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true 7636000000 7636 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 23 Beginning Balance, Shares 2 us-gaap_SharesIssued us-gaap true na instant shares No definition available. false false false false false false true false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true 541346000 541346 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 25 Restricted stock and stock options expense 2 bni_RestrictedStockAndStockOptionsExpense bni false debit duration monetary The compensation expense recognized during the period pertaining to the share-based compensation plan. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true 32000000 32 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false The compensation expense recognized during the period pertaining to the share-based compensation plan. No authoritative reference available. false 26 Restricted stock activity and related tax expense of $1 2 bni_RestrictedStockActivityAndRelatedTaxBenefitsExpense bni false debit duration monetary Value of restricted stock activity and associated tax benefit (expense) during the period as a result of the share-based... false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true 1000000 1 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false Value of restricted stock activity and associated tax benefit (expense) during the period as a result of the share-based compensation plan. No authoritative reference available. false 27 Restricted stock activity and related tax expense of $1, shares 2 bni_RestrictedStockActivityAndRelatedTaxBenefitExpenseShares bni false na duration shares Number of shares related to restricted stock activity and associated tax benefit (expense) during the period as a result of... false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true 506000 506 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false Number of shares related to restricted stock activity and associated tax benefit (expense) during the period as a result of the share-based compensation plan. No authoritative reference available. false 28 Exercise of stock options and related tax benefit of $17 2 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true 57000000 57 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 29 Exercise of stock options and related tax benefit of $17, shares 2 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised us-gaap true na duration shares No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true 1210000 1210 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 32 Comprehensive income: 2 us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 39 Ending Balance 2 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest us-gaap true credit instant monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false true false 1 false true 7726000000 7726 false false 2 false true 7726000000 7726 false false 3 false true 7636000000 7636 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 40 Ending Balance, Shares 2 us-gaap_SharesIssued us-gaap true na instant shares No definition available. false false false false false false false true false 1 false true 543062000 543062 false false 2 false true 543062000 543062 false false 3 false true 541346000 541346 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 41 Treasury Stock 0 na true na na na No definition available. false true false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 42 Beginning Balance 2 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest us-gaap true credit instant monetary No definition available. false false false false false false true false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true -8395000000 -8395 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 43 Beginning Balance, Shares 2 us-gaap_SharesIssued us-gaap true na instant shares No definition available. false false false false false false true false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true -202165000 -202165 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 47 Restricted stock activity and related tax expense of $1, shares 2 bni_RestrictedStockActivityAndRelatedTaxBenefitExpenseShares bni false na duration shares Number of shares related to restricted stock activity and associated tax benefit (expense) during the period as a result of... false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true 1000 1 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false Number of shares related to restricted stock activity and associated tax benefit (expense) during the period as a result of the share-based compensation plan. No authoritative reference available. false 48 Exercise of stock options and related tax benefit of $17 2 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true -14000000 -14 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 49 Exercise of stock options and related tax benefit of $17, shares 2 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised us-gaap true na duration shares No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true -243000 -243 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 50 Purchase of BNSF common stock 2 us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true -15000000 -15 [1] false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 51 Purchase of BNSF common stock, shares 2 us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired us-gaap true na duration shares No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true -233000 -233 [1] false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 52 Comprehensive income: 2 us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 59 Ending Balance 2 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest us-gaap true credit instant monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false true false 1 false true -8424000000 -8424 false false 2 false true -8424000000 -8424 false false 3 false true -8395000000 -8395 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 60 Ending Balance, Shares 2 us-gaap_SharesIssued us-gaap true na instant shares No definition available. false false false false false false false true false 1 false true -202640000 -202640 false false 2 false true -202640000 -202640 false false 3 false true -202165000 -202165 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 61 Retained Earnings 0 na true na na na No definition available. false true false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 62 Beginning Balance 2 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest us-gaap true credit instant monetary No definition available. false false false false false false true false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true 12764000000 12764 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 64 Common stock dividends, $1.20 per share 2 us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true -408000000 -408 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 72 Comprehensive income: 2 us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 73 Net income 2 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true 1185000000 1185 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 79 Ending Balance 2 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest us-gaap true credit instant monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false true false 1 false true 13541000000 13541 false false 2 false true 13541000000 13541 false false 3 false true 12764000000 12764 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 81 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss 0 na true na na na No definition available. false true false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 82 Beginning Balance 2 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest us-gaap true credit instant monetary No definition available. false false false false false false true false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true -874000000 -874 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 92 Comprehensive income: 2 us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 94 Change in unrecognized prior service credit and actuarial losses, net of tax expense of $6 2 bni_ChangeInUnrecognizedPriorServiceCreditAndActuarialLossesNetOfTax bni false na duration monetary The adjustment out of other comprehensive income for prior service costs and actuarial losses recognized as a component of... false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true 9000000 9 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false The adjustment out of other comprehensive income for prior service costs and actuarial losses recognized as a component of net period benefit cost during the period, after tax. No authoritative reference available. false 95 Change in fuel/interest hedge mark-to-market and other items, net of tax expense of $155 2 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true 249000000 249 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 96 Recognized loss on derivative instruments-discontinued hedges, net of tax benefit of $16 2 bni_RecognizedLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsDiscontinuedHedgesNetOfTax bni false debit duration monetary Net of tax effect of discontinuance of hedge accounting on certain derivative instruments included in accumulated... false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true 27000000 27 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false Net of tax effect of discontinuance of hedge accounting on certain derivative instruments included in accumulated comprehensive income that was recognized in net income during the period. No authoritative reference available. false 97 Change in unrealized loss on securities held by equity method investees, net of tax expense of $1 2 bni_ChangeInUnrealizedLossOnSecuritiesHeldByEquityMethodInvesteesNetOfTaxExpense bni false credit duration monetary Change in accumulated gains and losses on securities held by equity method investees, net of tax effect. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true 1000000 1 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false Change in accumulated gains and losses on securities held by equity method investees, net of tax effect. No authoritative reference available. true 99 Ending Balance 2 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest us-gaap true credit instant monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false true false 1 true true -588000000 -588 false false 2 true true -588000000 -588 false false 3 true true -874000000 -874 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 1 Total-to-date share repurchases through September 30, 2009, under the Company's share repurchase program, were 192 million shares at an average price of $41.53 per share, leaving 18 million shares available for repurchase out of the 210 million shares authorized. false 3 50 false Millions Thousands UnKnown false true