Document and Entity Information[Abstract] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] 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 [Abstract] Railway operating revenues Railway operating revenues Revenues, Total Operating Expenses [Abstract] 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 Net income Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Per share amounts: Basic Basic earnings per share Basic Diluted Diluted earnings per share Diluted Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Assets Abstract Assets Cash and cash equivalents at carrying value At end of year At beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents Cash and 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 Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Properties less accumulated depreciation of $9,464 and $9,262, respectively 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 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 Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent Net long-term deferred tax liability 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 330,386,089 and 357,362,604 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 Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Accumulated Depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Ending Balance Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Beginning Balance Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Properties, accumulated depreciation 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 [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 The gains (losses) included in the results of operations resulting form the sale of property or investments. Gain Loss On Properties And Investments Gains and losses on properties and investments t Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in assets and liabilities affecting operations: Accounts receivable Accounts receivable Accounts receivable increase (decrease) in Materials and supplies Materials and supplies Materials and supplies Increase (Decrease) in Other Current Assets Other current assets Current liabilities other than debt Current liabilities other than debt Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities, Total Other Operating Activities, Cash Flow Statement 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, Common Stock Dividends Proceeds From Stock Options Exercised, Including Tax Benefit Proceeds From Stock Options Exercised Including Tax Benefit Common stock issued, net Purchase and retirement of common stock Purchase and retirement of common stock Proceeds from Debt, Net of Issuance Costs Proceeds from borrowings - net Proceeds from borrowings, net 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, at Carrying Value [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] 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 Consolidated Statements Of Changes In Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Parent [Member] Parent [Member] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Additional Paid-In Capital [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] Retained Earnings [Member] Retained Income [Member] Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Comprehensive income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Other comprehensive income Other comprehensive income Other comprehensive income (loss) Other comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), 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 Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Stock-based compensation, including tax benefit Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures, Total Stockholders' Equity, Other Other Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Other Income - Net [Abstract] Other Income and Other Expense Disclosure [Text Block] Other Income - Net Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes Fair Value [Abstract] Fair Value Measurement Inputs Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Value Investments [Abstract] Investment Holdings [Text Block] Investments Short-term investments Properties [Abstract] Property Plant And Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Properties Current Liabilities [Abstract] Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Current Liabilities Debt [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Lease Commitments [Abstract] Leases Of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block] Lease Commitments Other Liabilities [Abstract] Other Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Other Liabilities Pensions And Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract] Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Pensions And Other Postretirement Benefits Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract] Stock Based Compensation Abstract StockBasedCompensationAbstract Stock-Based Compensation Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Stockholders' Equity Stock Repurchase Program [Abstract] Stock Repurchase Program [Abstract] Treasury Stock [Text Block] Stock Repurchase Program Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Earnings Per Share Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments And Contingencies Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) [Abstract] Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract] Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts Nature of Operations [Text Block] Description Of Business Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Use Of Estimates Revenue Recognition, Policy [Text Block] Revenue Recognition 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 or accounting changes that will be effective at a later date but have a retroactive effect on the current periods. Required Accounting Changes [Text Block] Required Accounting Changes Schedule Of Other Nonoperating Income By Component [Text Block] Other Income - Net Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block] Provisions For Income Taxes Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block] Reconciliation Of Statutory Rate To Effective Rate Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block] Reconciliation Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Carrying Amounts And Estimated Fair Values Investment [Table Text Block] 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 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 Schedule of Rent 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 Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block] Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations And Plan Assets Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block] Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Cost Components Schedule of Defined Benefit Plan Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Other Changes In Plan Assets And Benefit Obligations Recognized In Other Comprehensive Loss Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block] Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Assumptions Schedule of Effect of One-Percentage-Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Table Text Block] Health Care Cost Trend Assumptions This element is used to disclose the pension plan weighted-average asset allocations by asset category for the reporting period. Pension Plan Weighted-Average Asset Allcoations [Table Text Block] Pension Plan Weighted-Average Asset Allocations, By Asset Category Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets [Table Text Block] Fair Value Of Plan Assets Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block] Estimated Future Benefit Payments Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Type and Plan Name [Axis] Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Award Type And Plan Name [Domain] Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Award Type and Plan Name [Domain] Restricted Stock Units R S U [Member] Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] Performance Share Units (PSUs) [Member] Performance Share Units Psus [Member] Performance Share Units (PSUs) [Member] Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Assumptions Used For LTIP And TSOP Grants Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Stock Option Activity Summary of stock options exercised. Summary Of Stock Options Exercised Table [Text Block] Summary Of Stock Options Exercised Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Activity [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Other Share Activity Disclosure of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Stock Available For Future Grants Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Schedule Of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Of Equity Investees Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Calculation