Document and Entity Information[Abstract] Document and Entity Information Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Document Type Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Voluntary Filers Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Filer Category Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Consolidated Statements of Income Railway operating revenues Railway operating revenues Revenues, Total Railway operating expenses: Compensation and benefits Labor and Related Expense, Total The amount of expense for contract services provided to the Company and rent paid for freight cars owned by other railroads or private companies net of rents received, including lease expenses, primarily for locomotives, railcars, containers, and trailers. Purchased services and rents Fuel Cost Of Services Depreciation Depreciation Materials and other operating expenses not separately disclosed. This element is used when other, more specific, elements are not appropriate. Materials and other Materials and other Operating Expenses Total railway operating expenses Income from railway operations Income from railway operations Other Nonoperating Income Expense Other Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total Other income - net Total other income - net Interest expense on debt Interest expense on debt Interest expense on debt Sum of operating profit (loss) and non-operating income (expense) before income taxes. Income before income taxes Income before income taxes Provision for income taxes Provision for income taxes Provision for income taxes Provision for income taxes Net income Net income Per share amounts: Basic Basic earnings per share Basic Diluted Diluted earnings per share Diluted Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) [Abstract] Consolidated Balance Sheets Assets Abstract Assets Cash equivalents at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Short-term investments Total short-term investments Total short-term investments Accounts receivable - net Accounts receivable - net Accounts Receivable, Net, Current, Total Aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of unapplied materials and supplies to be used in the performance or support of carrier operations. Materials and supplies Deferred Tax Assets Net Current Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Ending Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Beginning Balance Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Total Net current deferred tax asset Other current assets Other current assets Total current assets Total current assets Long Term Investments Investments Total long-term investments Total long-term investments Properties less accumulated depreciation Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Total properties Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total Net Book Value Other assets Other assets Other assets Assets Total assets Liabilities and stockholders' equity [Abstract] Liabilities and stockholders' equity Accounts payable Total accounts payable Short-term debt Short-term Borrowings, Total Income and other taxes Taxes Payable, Current, Total Other Liabilities Current Other current liabilities Total other current liabilities Current maturities of long-term debt Current maturities of long-term debt Current maturities of long-term debt Total current liabilities Total current liabilities Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Obligations Long-term debt Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Total Other Liabilities Noncurrent Other Liabilities, Noncurrent, Total Other liabilities Total other liabilities Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent Net long-term deferred tax liability Deferred income taxes Net long-term deferred tax liability Net long-term deferred tax liability Liabilities Total liabilities Stockholders' equity: Common stock $1.00 per share par value, 1,350,000,000 shares authorized; outstanding 367,893,915 and 366,233,106 shares, respectively, net of treasury shares Common stock $1.00 per share par value, 1,350,000,000 shares authorized; outstanding ______________ and 369,019,990 shares, respectively, net of treasury shares Common stock $1.00 per share par value, 1,350,000,000 shares authorized; outstanding 357,362,604 and 369,019,990 shares, respectively, net of treasury shares Additional Paid In Capital Additional Paid in Capital, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Beginning Balance Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Total Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated other comprehensive loss - ending balance Accumulated other comprehensive loss - beginning balance Accumulated other comprehensive loss - ending balance Accumulated other comprehensive loss - beginning balance Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total Retained income Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained income Retained income Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Balance Balance Total stockholders' equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) [Abstract] Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par or stated value per share Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, net of treasury shares Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance Common stock, shares outstanding, net of treasury shares Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) [Abstract] Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Abstract Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation Depreciation, Total Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Deferred income taxes Total deferred income taxes Gain Loss On Sale Of Property And Investments Gain Loss On Sale Of Property And Investments Gains and losses on properties and investments Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Increase (Decrease) in Operating Assets [Abstract] Changes in assets and liabilities affecting operations: Accounts receivable Accounts receivable The net change during the reporting period in the aggregate value of all materials and supplies held by the reporting entity, associated with underlying transactions that are classified as operating activities. increase (decrease) in Materials and supplies Materials and supplies Materials and supplies Increase Decrease In Other Operating Assets Other current assets IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets' have the same label Other current assets Current liabilities other than debt The net cash inflow (outflow) from other operating activities. This element is used when there is not a more specific and appropriate element in the taxonomy. Other - net Other - net Other, net Net cash provided by operating activities Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from investing activities Property additions Property additions Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Property sales and other transactions Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Investments, including short-term Investments, including short-term Payments to Acquire Investments, Total Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Investment sales and other transactions Investment sales and other transactions Investment sales and other transactions Net Cash Used in Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from financing activities Payments Of Dividends Dividends Dividends Payments of Dividends, Total Proceeds from stock options exercised Common stock issued - net Purchase and retirement of common stock Purchase and retirement of common stock Proceeds from issuance of long-term-debt Proceeds from borrowings - net Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt, Total Repayments of Long-term Debt Debt repayments Debt repayments Debt repayments Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash used in financing activities Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents At end of year At beginning of year Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information Interest (net of amounts capitalized) Interest Paid, Net, Total Income taxes (net of refunds) Income Taxes Paid, Net, Total Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) [Abstract] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Parent [Member] Common Stock [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] Retained Income [Member] Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable Noncontrolling Interest Abstract oNoncontrollingInterestAbstract Comprehensive income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Other comprehensive income Other comprehensive income Other comprehensive income (loss) Other comprehensive income (loss) Total comprehensive income Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Dividends Common Stock Cash Dividends on Common Stock Dividends on Common Stock Share repurchases Share repurchases Share repurchases - cost Stock repurchased and retired during period, cost Stock-based compensation, including tax benefit Stockholders Equity Other Other Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) [Abstract] Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Tax Effect from Share-based Compensation Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Other Income - Net (Unaudited) [Abstract] Other Income - Net Schedule Of Other Nonoperating Income By Component [Text Block] Other Income - Net Income Taxes (Unaudited) [Abstract] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes Fair Value (Unaudited) [Abstract] Fair Value Fair Value Measurement Inputs Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Value Investments This represents the entire disclosure related to investment Investment disclosure text block Investments Properties (Unaudited) [Abstract] Properties Property Plant And Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Properties Current Liabilities (Unaudited)[Abstract] Current Liabilities Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Current Liabilities Debt (Unaudited) [Abstract] Debt Long Term Debt [Text Block] Debt Lease Commitments (Unaudited) [Abstract] Lease Commitments Leases Of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block] Lease Commitments Other Liabilities (Unaudited) [Abstract] Other Liabilities Other Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Other Liabilities Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (Unaudited) [Abstract] Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits Stock-based Compensation (Unaudited) Stock-Based Compensation Stock Based Compensation Abstract StockBasedCompensationAbstract Stock-Based Compensation Stockholders' Equity Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block] Other comprehensive income/loss Stockholders' Equity Stock Repurchase Program (Unaudited) [Abstract] Stock Repurchase Program This element is used to disclose the repurchase of common stock through the company's repurchase program Stock Repurchase Programs Stock Repurchase Program Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Earnings Per Share Derivative Financial Instruments (Unaudited) [Abstract] Derivative Financial Instruments Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Derivative Financial Instruments Commitments and Contingencies (Unaudited) [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Schedule II Valuation And Qualifying Accounts Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Nature of Operations [Text Block] Description of Business This element is used to disclose the company's accounting policy for the use of estimates. Use Of Estimates [Text Block] Use of Estimates Revenue Recognition, Policy [Text Block] Revenue Recognition Derivatives, Policy [Text Block] Derivatives Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Text Block] Cash Equivalents Allowance for doubtful accounts policy. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Policy Text Block Allowance for Doubtful Accounts This element is used to disclose the company's accounting policies for materials and supplies. Materials And Supplies Accounting Policies [Text Block] Materials and Supplies Investment, Policy [Text Block] Investments Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Text Block] Properties This element is used to disclose required accounting changes adopted by the company during the reported periods. Required Accounting Changes [Text Block] Required Accounting Changes Schedule Of Other Nonoperating Income Expense By Component Schedule Of Other Nonoperating Income Expense By Component [Text Block] Other Income - Net This element is used to disclose the schedule of current and deferred federal and state income taxes. Provision For Income Taxes [Text Block] Provisions for Income Taxes This element is used to disclose the reconciliation of the amounts computed by apply the statutory federal corporate tax rate to the provision for income taxes. Reconciliation Of Statutory Rate To Effective Rate [Text Block] Reconciliation of Statutory Rate to Effective Rate This element is used to disclose the deferred tax assets and liabilities for the reporting period. Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities [Text Block] Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities UnrecognizedTaxBenefit Unrecognized tax benefit text block Uncertain Tax Positions Financial Instruments Owned At Fair Value Financial Instruments Owned At Fair Value [Text Block] Schedule of Carrying Amounts and Estimated Fair Values Investment Holdiings [Text Block] Investments Short-term investments Property, Plant and Equipment [Text Block] Properties This element is used to disclose the schedule of current liabilities. Schedule Of Current Liabilities [Text Block] Current Liabilities This element is used to disclose total debt with weighted average interest rates and maturities. Debt With Interest Rates And Maturities Debt with weighted average interest rates and maturities This element is used to disclose the total of future contractually required payments on leases defined as operating and capital. Future Minimum Lease Payments Table [Text Block] Future minimum lease payments This element is used to disclose the minimum and contingent rents related to operating lease expense for the reporting periods. Operating Lease Expense Table [Text Block] Operating lease expense This element is used to disclose the schedule of other liabilities. Schedule Of Other Liabilities [Text Block] Other Liabilities This element is used to disclose the change in benefit obligations and plan assets related to the defined benefit pension plan and other postretirement defined benefit plan. Schedule Of Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations And Plan Assets Table [Text Block] Pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and plan assets Disclosures about an individual defined benefit pension plan or an other postretirement defined benefit plan. It may be appropriate to group certain similar plans. Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures Table [Text Block] Pension and other postretirement benefit cost components Net cost (benefit) This element is used to disclose changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income/loss. Schedule Of Other Changes In Plan Assets And Benefit Obligations Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income Loss Table [Text Block] Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss This element is used to disclose major assumptions used to determine the funded status of the pension and other postretirement benefit plans. Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Assumptions Table [Text Block] Pension and other postretirement benefit assumptions This element is used to disclose the effects on the pension and other postretirement benefit plans based on a one-percentage-point change in the assumed health care cost trend. Health Care Cost Trend Assumptions Table [Text Block] Health care cost trend assumptions This element is used to disclose the pension plan weighted-average asset allocations bye asset category for the reporting period. Pension Plan Weighted Average Asset Allcoations Table [Text Block] Pension plan weighted-average asset allocations by asset category This element is used to disclose the fair value of pension plan assets within the fair value hierarchy. Pension Plan Assets Fair Value Table [Text Block] Fair value of plan assets The benefits (as of the date of the latest statement of financial position presented), expected to be paid in each of the next five years, and in the aggregate for the next succeeding five years. The expected benefits should be estimated based on the same assumptions used to measure the company's benefit obligation at the end of the year and should include estimated future employee service. Defined Benefit Plan Estimated Future Benefit Payments Description [Text Block] Estimated future benefit payments For each plan, identification of the award pricing model or other valuation method used in calculating the weighted average fair values disclosed. The model is also used to calculate the compensation expense that is shown within the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow. Examples of valuation techniques are lattice models (binomial model), closed-form models (Black-Scholes-Merton formula), and a Monte Carlo simulation technique. Fair value is the amount at which an asset (or liability) could be bought (or incurred) or sold (or settled) in a current transaction between willing parties, that is, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. May include disclosures about the assumptions underlying application of the method selected. Option grant fair value assumptions method used [Text Block] LTIP and TSOP grant assumptions