Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employment Benefit Plans
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Merger
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Activities
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]
Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Other Assets
Other Asset, Investment in Variable Interest Entity [Text Block]
Other Asset, Investment in Variable Interest Entity [Text Block]
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Statement [Table]
Statement [Table]
Statement, Scenario [Axis]
Statement, Scenario [Axis]
Scenario, Unspecified [Domain]
Scenario, Unspecified [Domain]
Predecessor [Member]
Predecessor [Member]
Successor
Successor [Member]
Statement, Equity Components [Axis]
Statement, Equity Components [Axis]
Equity Component [Domain]
Equity Component [Domain]
Parent
Parent [Member]
Common Stock [Member]
Common Stock [Member]
Common Stock Including Additional Paid in Capital [Member]
Common Stock Including Additional Paid in Capital [Member]
Retained Earnings [Member]
Retained Earnings [Member]
Treasury Stock [Member]
Treasury Stock [Member]
Member's Equity
Members Equity [Member]
Member's equity.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
InterCompanyNotesReceivable [Member]
InterCompanyNotesReceivable [Member]
InterCompanyNotesReceivable [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Statement [Line Items]
NetContribution
NetContribution
Net contribution from Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.
Net contribution from LLC
NetContributionFromLLC
Net contribution from Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, Shares, Value
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent
Balance, Shares, Issued
Shares, Issued
Comprehensive income:
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Net income
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent
Change in unrecognized prior service credit and actuarial losses, net of tax expense/(benefit)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax
Change in fuel hedge mark-to-market, net of tax expense/(benefit)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax
Recognized loss on derivative instruments discontinued hedges net of tax expense/(benefit)
Recognized Loss On Derivative Instruments Discontinued Hedges Net Of Tax
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.
Change In Other Comprehensive Income Of Equity Method Investees
Change In Other Comprehensive Income Of Equity Method Investees
Change In Other Comprehensive Income Of Equity Method Investees.
Total comprehensive income
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent
Common Stock Dividends
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash
Cash distributions to Parent
Cash Distributions To Parent Company By Reporting Entity
Cash distributions declared to parent company by the reporting entity.
Restricted stock and stock options expense
Restricted stock and stock options expense
The compensation expense recognized during the period pertaining to the share-based compensation plan.
Restricted Stock Activity Shares
Restricted Stock Activity And Related Tax Benefit (Expense) Shares
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.
Restricted Stock Activity Value
Restricted Stock Activity And Related Tax Benefit (Expense)
The net tax benefit (expense) resulting from restricted stock activity during the period as a result of the share-based compensation plan.
Exercise of stock options and related tax benefit, shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period
Exercise of stock options and related tax expense/(benefit)
Exercise of stock options and related tax benefit
The net tax benefit resulting from the issuance of stock during the period as a result of the exercise of stock options.
Exercise of stock options and related tax benefit, value
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised, Net of Tax Benefit (Expense)
Purchase of BNSF Common Stock, Shares
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired
Purchase of BNSF Common Stock, Value
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method
Balance, Shares, Issued
Balance, Shares, Value
Increase (Decrease) in Notes Receivable, Related Parties
Increase (Decrease) in Notes Receivable, Related Parties
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Predecessor
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
Deferred income taxes
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Long-term casualty and environmental liabilities, net
Long term casualty and environmental liabilities, net
The net change during the reporting period in the amount of noncurrent costs accrued for casualty, environmental and other loss contingencies.
Contributions to qualified pension plan
Pension Contributions
Other, net
Other, net
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.
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, net
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable
Change in accounts receivable securitization program
Change in Accounts Receivable Securitization Program
Change in Accounts Receivable Securitization Program
Materials and supplies
Inc(Dec) in Materials and Supplies
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.
Other current assets
Increase (Decrease) in Other Current Assets
Accounts payable and other current liabilities
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract]
Capital expenditures excluding equipment
Capital Expenditures Excluding Equipment
The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets, excluding equipment, that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets.
Acquisition of equipment
Acquisition of equipment
The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of equipment which includes locomotive, freight cars and other equipment, some or all of which may be sold and leased back by the Company through either an operating or capital lease.
Proceeds from sale of equipment financed
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Gross Proceeds
Construction costs for facility financing obligation
Construction costs for facility financing obligation
Payments for construction costs of a facility that the Company intended to sell to a third party and subsequently lease back.
Partnership investment
Payments for (Proceeds from) Limited Partnership
Other, net
Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities
Net cash used for investing activities
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract]
Net decrease in commercial paper and bank borrowings
Repayments of Commercial Paper
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt
Payments on long-term debt
Repayments of Long-term Debt
Cash distributions/dividends paid
Cash Distributions/ Dividends Paid
The cash outflow from the distribution of an entity's earnings in the form of dividends to common shareholders or distributions to the parent company.
Proceeds from stock options exercised
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised
Purchase of BNSF common stock
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock
Excess tax benefits from equity compensation plans
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities
Proceeds from facility financing obligation
Proceeds from facility financing obligation
Proceeds from the financing related to the construction of a facility that the Company intends to sell to a third party and subsequently lease back.
Increase (Decrease) in Notes Receivable, Related Parties
Other, net
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities
Net cash used for by financing activities
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value [Abstract]
Beginning of period
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value
End of period
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized
Interest Paid, Net
Income taxes paid, net of refunds
Income Taxes Paid, Net
Non-cash asset financing
Capital Lease Obligations Incurred
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues
Revenue, Net
Operating expenses:
Operating Expenses [Abstract]
Compensation and benefits
Labor and Related Expense
Fuel
Fuel Costs
Purchased services
Purchased services
The amount of expense for contract services provided to the Company.
Equipment rents
Equipment rents
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.
Materials and other
Materials and other
Materials and other operating expenses not separately disclosed. This element is used when other, more specific, elements are not appropriate.
Total operating expenses
Operating Expenses
Operating income
Operating Income (Loss)
Interest expense
Interest and Debt Expense
Interest income, related parties
Interest Income Related Parties
Interest income received from related parties.
Other expense, net
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Income before income taxes
Income before income taxes
Sum of operating profit (loss) and non-operating income (expense) before income taxes.
Income tax expense
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Net income
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment, Net
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
ASSETS
Assets [Abstract]
Current assets:
Assets, Current [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable, net
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current
Materials and supplies
Materials and supplies
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.
Current portion of deferred income taxes
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current
Other current assets
Other Assets, Current
Total current assets
Assets, Current
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,056 and $659, respectively
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Goodwill
Goodwill
Intangible assets, net
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net
Other assets
Other Assets, Noncurrent
Total assets
Assets
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]
Current liabilities:
Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Accounts payable and other current liabilities
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current
Long-term debt due within one year
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Current
Total current liabilities
Liabilities, Current
Deferred income taxes
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent
Long-term debt
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Intangible liabilities, net
Intangible liabilities, net
The aggregate sum of gross carrying value of a major finite-lived intangible liability class, less accumulated amortization and any impairment charges.
Casualty and environmental liabilities
Casualty and environmental liabilities
Noncurrent portion of costs accrued as of the balance sheet date for casualty, environmental and other loss contingencies.
Pension and retiree health and welfare liability
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities, Noncurrent
Other liabilities
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent
Total liabilities
Liabilities
Commitments and contingencies (see Notes 6, 13 and 14)
Commitments and Contingencies
Equity:
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Common stock, $1 par value, 1,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding and paid-in-capital
Common Stock, Including Additional Paid in Capital
Retained earnings
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
Intercompany notes receivable
Notes Receivable, Related Parties, Noncurrent
Member's equity (see Note 2)
Member's equity
Total of Member's Capital (deficit) items, which includes both contributed capital and earned capital.
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax
Total equity
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Total liabilities and equity
Liabilities and Equity
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
The Company
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Accounts Payable and Other Current Liabilities
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block]
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Accounting Pronouncements
Description of New Accounting Pronouncements Not yet Adopted [Text Block]
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Data - Unaudited
Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]
Receivables [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable, Net
Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block]
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets and Liabilities
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]
Entities [Table]
Legal Entity [Axis]
Legal Entity [Axis]
Entity [Domain]
Entity [Domain]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name
Entity Registrant Name
Entity Central Index Key
Entity Central Index Key
Current Fiscal Year End Date
Current Fiscal Year End Date
Entity Filer Category
Entity Filer Category
Document Type
Document Type
Document Period End Date
Document Period End Date
Document Fiscal Year Focus
Document Fiscal Year Focus
Document Fiscal Period Focus
Document Fiscal Period Focus
Amendment Flag
Amendment Flag
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer
Entity Voluntary Filers
Entity Voluntary Filers
Entity Current Reporting Status
Entity Current Reporting Status
Entity Public Float
Entity Public Float
Stockholder's Equity Paranthetical [Abstract]
Stockholder's Equity Paranthetical [Abstract]
Successor [Member]
Change in fuel hedge mark-to-market, net of tax expense/(benefit)
Fuel Interest Hedge Mark To Market Tax Benefit (Expense)
The net tax benefit (expense) resulting from the change in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instrument designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges, net of tax effect.
Balance Sheet Paranthetical [Abstract]
Balance Sheet Paranthetical [Abstract]
Document Information [Table]
Document Information [Table]
Document Information, Document [Axis]
Document Information, Document [Axis]
Document [Domain]
Document [Domain]
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Information [Line Items]
Assets
accumulated depreciation
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment
Common stock, par value
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share
Common stock, shares authorized
Common Stock, Shares Authorized
Common stock, shares issued
Common Stock, Shares, Issued
Common stock, shares outstanding
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding