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 Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Consolidated Statements of Income 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 Per share amounts: Basic Basic earnings per share Basic Diluted Diluted earnings per share Diluted Common Stock Dividends Per Share Cash Paid Dividends Consolidated Balance Sheets Assets Abstract Assets Cash and cash equivalents at carrying value At end of period 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 Properties less accumulated depreciation of $9,217 and $9,262, respectively 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 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 347,773,580 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 Statement Of Financial Position 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 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 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 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 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 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 Stock-Based Compensation Stock Based Compensation Abstract StockBasedCompensationAbstract Stock-Based Compensation Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Earnings Per Share Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Stockholders' Equity Stock Repurchase Program [Abstract] Stock Repurchase Program Treasury Stock [Text Block] Stock Repurchase Program Investments Investment Holdings [Text Block] Investments Short-term investments Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Comprehensive Income Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block] Comprehensive Income Stockholders' Equity Fair Value Fair Value Measurement Inputs Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Value Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block] LTIP and TSOP Grant Assumptions Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Table Text Block] Schedule of Earnings Per Share Calculation Investment [Table Text Block] Schedule of Investments Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block] Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Schedule of Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Comprehensive Income Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block] Schedule of Carrying Amounts and Estimated Fair Values Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] 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] Norfolk Southern Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan LTIP [Member] Norfolk Southern Corporation Thoroughbred Stock Option Plan TSOP [Member] Norfolk Southern Corporation Performance Share Units PSU [Member] Share-based compensation cost during the period with respect to the award, which will be recognized in income or capitalized as part of the cost of an asset. Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award Compensation Cost, Excluding Tax Effect Stock-based compensation costs Share-based compensation cost - tax effect during the period with respect to the award, which will be recognized in income or capitalized as part of the cost of an asset. Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award Tax Effect Stock-based compensation tax effect - benefit Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Expiration Dating Stock option term, in years This element is used to disclose the grant price of the LTIP and TSOP stock option grants. Stock Option Grant Price Stock option grant price Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, anniversary award vesting period Award vesting period This element is used to disclose the number of years holders of LTIP options who remain actively employed, are eligible for dividend equivalent payments on a particular stock option grant. LTIP Dividend Equivalent Payment Years LTIP dividend equivalent payment, in years Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Dividend Rate When Dividend Equivalents Are Paid Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Dividend Rate When Dividend Equivalents Are Paid Dividend yield for period dividend equivalents paid The estimated dividend rate (a percentage of the share price) to be paid (expected dividends) to holders of the underlying shares over the option's term where no dividend equivalent payments are made. Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate When Dividend Equivalents Are Not Paid Dividend yield for period dividend equivalents not paid Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate Minimum Expected volatility rate, minimum Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate Maximum Expected volatility rate, maximum Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Weighted Average Volatility Rate Average expected volatility rate Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate Average risk-free interest rate Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term Average expected option life, in years Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, options, grants in period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures, Total Stock options granted The grant-date fair value of options granted during the reporting period as calculated by applying the disclosed option pricing methodology. Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Grants In Period Grant Date Fair Value Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, options, grants in period grant date fair value Option per share grant-date fair value Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Stock Options Exercised Stock options exercised Proceeds from stock options exercised Common stock issued, net Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities Related excess tax benefits realized Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, equity instruments other than options, grants in period Grants other than stock options This element is used to disclose the grant price of incentive award grants. Incentive Award Grant Price Grant-date fair value This element is used to disclose the period of time over which an employee's restricted stock unit award is earned. Restricted Stock Unit Restriction Period Restriction period, in years This element is used to disclose the number of restricted stock units paid out in cash during the period related to Restricted Stock Unit awards, net of any forfeits. Restricted Stock Units Paid In Cash Restricted stock units earned and paid out in cash Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted-average grant-date fair value of shares vested Restricted shares vested Weighted-average fair value of restricted stock units earned and paid out Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures Restricted shares earned and distributed Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures, Total The weighted average grant date fair value of incentive awards paid out during the reporting period. Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award Options, Paid Out In Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted-average grant-date fair value of restricted shares distributed This element is used to disclose the reduction in the entity's income taxes that arise when compensation cost (from incentive awards) recognized on the entity's tax return exceeds compensation cost from incentive awards recognized in the income statement related to Restricted Stock Units and Restricted Shares. RSU And Restricted Shares Tax Benefit Expense RSU and Restricted Shares tax benefit/expense RSU and Restricted Shares tax benefit/expense This element is used to disclose the number of PSUs paid out in one-half Common Stock and one-half cash during the reporting period related to Performance Share Unit awards, net of any forfeits and unearned awards. Performance Share Units Paid In Cash Performance share units earned and paid out The grant-date fair value of incentive awards paid out during the reporting period. Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award Options Paid Out In Period Grant Date Fair Value Grant-date fair value for PSUs paid out This element is used to disclose the fair value at pay out of incentive awards paid out during the reporting period. Incentive Award Payout Fair Value Fair value at payout Reductions in the entity's income taxes that arise when compensation cost (from incentive awards) recognized on the entity's tax return exceeds compensation cost from incentive awards recognized on the income statement. Tax Benefit Expense From Incentive Awards Tax benefit/expense Percentage of PSUs grants earned and paid in common shares Percentage of Performance Share Units grants earned and paid in common shares Percentage of PSU grants earned and paid in common shares Percentage of PSUs grants earned and paid in cash Percentage of Performance Share Units grants earned and paid in cash Percentage of PSU grants earned and paid in cash Increase Decrease In Income Tax Expense Due To Tax Return Examination Increase Decrease In Income Tax Expense Due To Tax Return Examination Income tax examination benefit recorded Deferred Other Tax Expense (Benefit) Decrease to deferred income tax expense, due to tax law changes Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Period Increase (Decrease) Unrecognized tax benefits, period increase (decrease) Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Period Increase (Decrease), Total This element is used to disclose the deferred tax expense charge as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. Medicare Part D Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Dividends Paid to ESOP Dividend equivalent payments Dividend equivalent payments Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Income available to common stockholders, basic Income available to common stockholders Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Weighted-average shares outstanding Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic, Total Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted Income available to common stockholders, diluted Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted, Total Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment Diluted effect of outstanding options and share-settled awards Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment, Total Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Total This element is used to disclose the number of options having exercise prices exceeding the average market price of Common Stock. Options With Exercise Prices Above Average Market Price Options having exercise prices exceeding average market price Treasury Stock, Number of Shares Held Shares held by consolidated subsidiaries Treasury Stock, Value Treasury Stock, Value, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Value, Beginning Balance Value of shares held by consolidated subsidiaries Stock repurchased and retired during period, shares Share repurchases Share repurchases Share repurchases - cost Stock repurchased and retired during period, cost Stock repurchased and retired since inception of stock repurchase program, shares. Stock repurchased and retired since inception shares Stock repurchased and retired since inception of stock repurchase program in 2005, shares Stock repurchased and retired since inception, value. Stock repurchased and retired since inception, value Stock repurchased and retired since inception of stock repurchase program in 2005, cost Schedule of Investments [Table] Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, by Type [Axis] Summary of Investments, by Type [Domain] Certificates of Deposit [Member] Corporate Bonds [Member] Commercial Paper [Member] Fair Value, Option, Qualitative Disclosures Related to Election, by Eligible Item or Group [Axis] Fair Value, Option, Eligible Item or Group [Domain] Equity interest in affiliate Conrail Equity [Member] Voting interest in affiliate Conrail Voting [Member] Conrail Voting [Member] Available-for-sale securities Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities, Current, Total Held-to-maturity Securities Held-to-maturity securities Held-to-maturity Securities, Total This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment losses recognized. Income Loss Equity In Affiliate Investment in Conrail This element is used to disclose the "purchased services and rents" and "fuel" expenses for the use of the Shared Assets Area. Expenses For Use Of Shared Assets Area Expenses for the use of the Shared Assets Area Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Equity in the earnings of Conrail Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Total Due to Affiliate, Current Due to affiliate, current Due to Affiliate Due to affiliate, noncurrent