v3.6.0.2

Commitments and Contingencies Insurance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Expense related to insurance premiums	$ 70	$ 75	$ 79
Unamortized insurance premiums	5	5
BNSF Insurance Company [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Insurance coverage premiums, net of reimbursements from third parties	70	73	79
Insurance claims paid	69	214	$ 98
Insurance claims receivable	$ 3	$ 15

Total amount of payments made by related insurance entity to related subsidiary during the reporting period to settle insured claims.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bni_ClaimPaymentsMadeByRelatedInsuranceEntityToRelatedSubsidiary
Namespace Prefix:	bni_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The expense in the period incurred with respect to protection provided by related insurance entity against risks other than risks associated with production (which are allocated to cost of sales).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bni_GeneralInsuranceExpenseRelatedInsuranceEntity
Namespace Prefix:	bni_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount due in settlement of a claim for reimbursement from related insurance entity when the Company has suffered a loss covered under an insurance policy.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bni_InsuranceSettlementsReceivableFromRelatedInsuranceEntity
Namespace Prefix:	bni_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Premiums written by related insurance entity, net of reimbursement form third parties

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bni_PremiumsWrittenByRelatedInsuranceEntityNetOfReimbursements
Namespace Prefix:	bni_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of unamortized costs of insurance coverage written by related insurance entity, which will be charged against earnings ratably over the period in which contractually agreed upon coverage's will be in effect; such periods expire within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bni_PrepaidInsuranceWrittenByRelatedInsuranceEntity
Namespace Prefix:	bni_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=bni_BnsfInsuranceCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

BNSF RAILWAY CO 10-K