Environmental loss contingency, statement of financial position, extensible enumeration, not disclosed flag Environmental Loss Contingency, Statement Of Financial Position, Extensible Enumeration, Not Disclosed Flag Environmental Loss Contingency, Statement Of Financial Position, Extensible Enumeration, Not Disclosed Flag Statistical Measurement [Domain] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Expected return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return (Loss) on Plan Assets Award Timing Predetermined Award Timing Predetermined [Flag] Entity File Number Entity File Number Additional Paid-in Capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Equity in the earnings of investee Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Tabular List, Table Tabular List [Table Text Block] Number of sites - representative sample Environmental Locations Representative Sample A representative sample of the total number of environmental locations and projects. Granted Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures [Abstract] Fair Values of Financial Instruments Fair Value Measurement and Measurement Inputs, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Text Block] Schedule of Carrying Amounts and Estimated Fair Values Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block] Trading Arrangements, by Individual Trading Arrangements, by Individual [Table] Measurement Basis [Axis] Measurement Basis [Axis] Basic (in dollars per share) Earnings per share, basic (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Adjustment to Compensation: Adjustment to Compensation [Axis] Named Executive Officers, Footnote Named Executive Officers, Footnote [Text Block] Commercial Paper Commercial Paper [Member] Intermodal Railway Operating Revenues Market Group Intermodal [Member] Railway Operating Revenues, Market Group, Intermodal Railway Operating Revenues Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block] Chemicals Chemicals [Member] Railway Operating Revenues, Market Group, Chemicals Related tax benefits realized Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Exercise of Option, Tax Benefit Adjustment to Compensation, Amount Adjustment to Compensation Amount Pension Benefits Pension Plan [Member] Percentage of potential losses covered by insurance on legal liabilities for bodily injury and property damage to third parties Percentage Of Potential Losses Covered By Insurance On Legal Liabilities For Bodily Injury And Property Damage To Third Parties Percentage Of Potential Losses Covered By Insurance On Legal Liabilities For Bodily Injury And Property Damage To Third Parties Conrail, Economic Conrail, Economic [Member] Conrail, Economic Stock options Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] Award Timing MNPI Disclosure Award Timing MNPI Disclosure [Text Block] Dividends on common stock Dividends, Common Stock, Cash Total stockholders’ equity Beginning balance Ending balance Equity, Attributable to Parent Insider Trading Policies and Procedures [Line Items] Stock-based compensation expense Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Expense Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Union Pacific Merger Union Pacific Merger [Member] Union Pacific Merger Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity Liabilities and Equity Insurance recoveries Unusual or Infrequent Item, or Both, Insurance Proceeds Pensions and other postretirement liabilities Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Liabilities and stockholders’ equity Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Cover page. Cover [Abstract] Reclassification Adjustments Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Portion at Fair Value Measurement Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member] Maximum Maximum [Member] Average transit days (or less) Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Averaging Transit Days Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Averaging Transit Days Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Arrangements by Share-Based Payment Award [Table] Fuel Fuel Costs Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote [Text Block] Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Line Items] Unusual or Infrequent Item, or Both [Domain] Unusual or Infrequent Item, or Both [Domain] Merchandise Railway Operating Revenues Market Group Merchandise [Member] Railway Operating Revenues Market Group Merchandise [Member] Forgone Recovery due to Disqualification of Tax Benefits, Amount Forgone Recovery due to Disqualification of Tax Benefits, Amount Merger Agreement Business Combination [Text Block] Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated [Flag] Income before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Entity Shell Company Entity Shell Company Other liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments [Table] Property sales and other transactions Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Company Selected Measure Amount Company Selected Measure Amount Award Timing MNPI Considered Award Timing MNPI Considered [Flag] Total comprehensive income Total comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Stock Repurchase Program Treasury Stock [Text Block] Name Measure Name Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Liabilities, Net Self-insured for bodily injury and property damage to third parties coverage amount, maximum Self Insured For Bodily Injury And Property Damage To Third Parties, Maximum Self Insured For Bodily Injury And Property Damage To Third Parties, Maximum Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Award Timing Method Award Timing Method [Text Block] Litigation Case [Domain] Litigation Case [Domain] Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Total assets Assets Estimated construction cost, noncancelable lease Lessee, Finance Lease, Estimated Cost Of Construction Lessee, Finance Lease, Estimated Cost Of Construction Investment, Name [Domain] Investment, Name [Domain] Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Finance lease term Lessee, Finance Lease, Term of Contract Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town Short-term Debt, Type [Domain] Short-Term Debt, Type [Domain] Receivable Type [Axis] Receivable Type [Axis] Business combination, consideration transferred, shares issued per acquiree share (in dollars per share) Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued And Issuable, Cash Paid Per Acquiree Share Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued And Issuable, Cash Paid Per Acquiree Share Ancillary Services Ancillary Services [Member] Ancillary Services Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount RSUs Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] Compensation Actually Paid vs. Other Measure Compensation Actually Paid vs. Other Measure [Text Block] Environmental locations representative sample liability payout period, in years Environmental Locations Representative Sample Liability Period Number of years over which environmental liabilities are expected to be paid out. Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Dividends on common stock (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Policy insurance coverage for bodily injury and property damage to third parties, minimum Policy Insurance Coverage For Bodily Injury And Property Damage To Third Parties, Minimum Policy Insurance Coverage For Bodily Injury And Property Damage To Third Parties, Minimum Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Prior Year Equity Awards Vested in Covered Year Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Prior Year Equity Awards Vested in Covered Year [Member] Equity method investments Equity Method Investments Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Not Adopted Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Not Adopted [Text Block] Business Combination [Domain] Business Combination [Domain] Common stock, shares outstanding, net of treasury shares (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Equipment rents Equipment rents Equipment rents PEO PEO [Member] Loss contingency, number of pending claims Loss Contingency, Pending Claims, Number Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenues Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block] Residual value guarantee, percentage Lessee, Finance Lease, Residual Value Guarantee, Percent Lessee, Finance Lease, Residual Value Guarantee, Percent Common Stock issued net of tax withholding (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period Materials and supplies Increase (Decrease) in Materials and Supplies Changes in assets and liabilities affecting operations: Adjustment to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Equity Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Total Compensation for Covered Year Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Equity Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Total Compensation for Covered Year [Member] Retained Income Retained Earnings [Member] Eastern Ohio incident Unusual or Infrequent Item, or Both, Loss, Gross Metals and construction Metals And Construction [Member] Railway Operating Revenues, Market Group, Metals/Construction Accounts receivable securitization program Accounts Receivable from Securitization Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Restatement Determination Date Restatement Determination Date $800 Million Credit Agreement Expiring In January 2029 $800 Million Credit Agreement Expiring In January 2029 [Member] $800 Million Credit Agreement Expiring In January 2029 Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] At beginning of year At end of period Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Continuing Operation Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Civil Penalty Civil Penalty [Member] Civil Penalty Income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Net Income OCI, before Reclassifications, before Tax, Attributable to Parent Income and other taxes Taxes Payable, Current Pension Adjustments Service Cost Pension Adjustments Service Cost [Member] Product and Service [Domain] Product and Service [Domain] Purchased services Purchased Services Purchased Services Restatement does not require Recovery Restatement Does Not Require Recovery [Text Block] Business Combination [Table] Business Combination [Table] Other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Current Assets Materials Cost, Direct Material Coal Railway Operating Revenues Market Group Coal [Member] Railway Operating Revenues, Market Group, Coal Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure [Text Block] Cash received upon exercise Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised City Area Code City Area Code Award Timing, How MNPI Considered Award Timing, How MNPI Considered [Text Block] All Trading Arrangements All Trading Arrangements [Member] Equity Awards Adjustments, Footnote Equity Awards Adjustments, Footnote [Text Block] Total Shareholder Return Vs Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Vs Peer Group [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Number of railroads Number Of Railroads Owning Joint Railcar Pooling Company Number Of Railroads Owning Joint Railcar Pooling Company Cash flows from investing activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation [Abstract] Pay vs Performance Disclosure Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] Net cash provided by operating activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Including Discontinued Operation Investments Long-Term Investments Subsequent Event Subsequent Event [Member] Amortization of net losses Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gain (Loss) Equity Valuation Assumption Difference, Footnote Equity Valuation Assumption Difference, Footnote [Text Block] PEO Total Compensation Amount PEO Total Compensation Amount Depreciation Depreciation Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted [Flag] Customer Trade Accounts Receivable [Member] Number of reportable segments Number of Reportable Segments Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Other comprehensive income of equity investees OCI, Equity Method Investment, before Tax, Parent Other Performance Measure, Amount Other Performance Measure, Amount Non-customer Other Receivables [Member] Other Receivables [Member] Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, State or Province Schedule of Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Grants In Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Table [Table Text Block] Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, options, grants in period, weighted average exercise price, table [Table Text Block] Employees covered by collective bargaining agreements Employees Covered By Collective Bargaining Agreements Employees Covered By Collective Bargaining Agreements Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Litigation Status [Axis] Litigation Status [Axis] Individual: Individual [Axis] Vesting [Axis] Vesting [Axis] Dividends Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock Other current assets Other Assets, Current Investments [Abstract] Investments [Abstract] Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Net cash used in investing activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation Aggregate Change in Present Value of Accumulated Benefit for All Pension Plans Reported in Summary Compensation Table Aggregate Change in Present Value of Accumulated Benefit for All Pension Plans Reported in Summary Compensation Table [Member] Interest (net of amounts capitalized) Interest Paid, Excluding Capitalized Interest, Operating Activity Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Forgone Recovery, Explanation of Impracticability Forgone Recovery, Explanation of Impracticability [Text Block] Environmental Remediation Contingency [Axis] Environmental Remediation Contingency [Axis] Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current Cash flows from operating activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Continuing Operation [Abstract] Carrying Amount Reported Value Measurement [Member] Merger-related expenses Business Combination, Acquisition-Related Cost, Expense Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Options exercised (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Equity [Abstract] Equity [Abstract] Estimated litigation liability Estimated Litigation Liability Building Building [Member] Schedule of Stock Options, Restricted Stock Units, and Performance Share Units Disclosure of Share-Based Compensation Arrangements by Share-Based Payment Award [Table Text Block] Segment Reporting Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Current maturities of long-term debt Long-Term Debt and Lease Obligation, Current Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Long-Lived Tangible Asset [Axis] New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] Agriculture, forest and consumer products Agriculture, Forest And Consumer Products [Member] Agriculture, Forest And Consumer Products Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Schedule of Pension and Postretirement Benefit Cost Components Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block] Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return [Text Block] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] Fair Value, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Commercial paper outstanding Commercial Paper Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Depreciation Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax [Abstract] PEO Name PEO Name Prior Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Any Prior Year that Fail to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Covered Year Prior Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Any Prior Year that Fail to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Covered Year [Member] Outstanding Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Outstanding Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Defined Benefit Plan [Table] Arrangement Duration Trading Arrangement Duration Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Three year vesting schedule Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Tranche One [Member] Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Exercise Price Award Exercise Price Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Conrail, Voting Conrail, Voting [Member] Conrail, Voting Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Additional 402(v) Disclosure Additional 402(v) Disclosure [Text Block] Investment sales and other transactions Payment for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activity Other – net Adjustment to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Other Item Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Stock-Based Compensation Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Text Block] Assets Assets [Abstract] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Awards measurement cycle (in years) Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Performance Measurement Period This elements is used to disclose the cycle, in years, when corporate performance achieves predetermined goals. Underlying Security Market Price Change Underlying Security Market Price Change, Percent Vesting [Domain] Vesting [Domain] Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits Retirement Benefits [Text Block] Business Combination [Line Items] Business Combination [Line Items] Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] Vesting Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in Covered Year Vesting Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in Covered Year [Member] Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Accum. Other Comprehensive Loss AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Investment, Name [Axis] Investment, Name [Axis] Business Combination, Asset Acquisition, Transaction between Entities under Common Control, and Joint Venture Formation [Abstract] Amortization of prior service benefit Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit) Fair Value as of Grant Date Award Grant Date Fair Value Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Stock Price or TSR Estimation Method Stock Price or TSR Estimation Method [Text Block] Net benefit Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) Compensation and benefits Labor and Related Expense Other than stock options (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Securitization Borrowings Securitization Borrowings [Member] Securitization Borrowings [Member] Investment purchases Payments to Acquire Investments Total railway operating expenses Costs and Expenses Document Quarterly Report Document Quarterly Report Percentage of potential losses covered by insurance on damage to property owned or in control Percentage Of Potential Losses Covered By Insurance On Damage To Property Owned Or In Control Percentage Of Potential Losses Covered By Insurance On Damage To Property Long-term debt, including current maturities Long-Term Debt, Fair Value Changed Peer Group, Footnote Changed Peer Group, Footnote [Text Block] Number of operating segments Number of Operating Segments Union Pacific Union Pacific [Member] Union Pacific Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote [Text Block] New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract] Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract] Interest cost Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost Other than stock options (in dollars per share) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Title Trading Arrangement, Individual Title Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount Schedule of Cost and Expense Schedule of Cost and Expense [Table Text Block] Schedule of Cost and Expense Current environmental liability Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingency, Undiscounted, to be Paid, Year One Restatement Determination Date: Restatement Determination Date [Axis] Non-PEO NEO Non-PEO NEO [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Name Trading Arrangement, Individual Name Materials and supplies Materials, Supplies, and Other Award Type [Domain] Award Type [Domain] Equity Awards Adjustments Equity Awards Adjustments [Member] Pension Benefits Adjustments, Footnote Pension Benefits Adjustments, Footnote [Text Block] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Compensation Amount Outstanding Recovery Compensation Amount Senior notes issued Debt Instrument, Face Amount Related tax benefits realized Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Exercise of Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Tax Benefit Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Exercise of Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Tax Benefit Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation Disclosure [Line Items] Fair Value Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] Retirement Plan Type [Domain] Retirement Plan Type [Domain] Schedule of Investments [Line Items] Schedule of Investments [Line Items] MNPI Disclosure Timed for Compensation Value MNPI Disclosure Timed for Compensation Value [Flag] Name Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures, Individual Name Oversight Costs Oversight Costs [Member] Oversight Costs Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Not Yet Determined Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Not Yet Determined [Text Block] Revenue, payment terms (in days) Revenue, Payment Terms Revenue, Payment Terms Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Long-term debt Long-Term Debt and Lease Obligation Litigation Case [Axis] Litigation Case [Axis] Environmental Remediation Contingency [Domain] Environmental Remediation Contingency [Domain] Segments [Domain] Segments [Domain] Available borrowing capacity Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity PSUs Performance Shares [Member] Aggregate Pension Adjustments Service Cost Aggregate Pension Adjustments Service Cost [Member] Number of locations with one or more subsidiaries in conjunction with other parties identified as potentially responsible parties Number Of Locations With One Or More Subsidiaries In Conjunction With Other Parties Identified As Potentially Responsible Parties Number of locations the company or its subsidiaries in conjunction with other parties have been identified as potentially responsible parties by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Liability associated with those sites Environmental Locations Representative Sample Liability Liability associated with the representative sample of environmental locations and projects. Minimum Minimum [Member] Dividend equivalent payments, diluted Participating Securities, Distributed and Undistributed Earnings (Loss), Diluted Accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Consent decree period (in years) Litigation Settlement, Consent Decree, Period Litigation Settlement, Consent Decree, Period Company Selected Measure Name Company Selected Measure Name Environmental matters liabilities Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Aggregate Available Trading Arrangement, Securities Aggregate Available Amount Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] Income available to common stockholders, diluted Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted All Executive Categories All Executive Categories [Member] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Four year vesting schedule Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Two [Member] Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Non-GAAP Measure Description Non-GAAP Measure Description [Text Block] Accounts receivable securitization balance Accounts Receivable Securitization Balance The balance as of the reporting period of the amount owed by the reporting entity to counterparties in securitized loan transactions. Business Combination [Axis] Business Combination [Axis] Entity Small Business Entity Small Business New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Table] Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Table] Document Transition Report Document Transition Report Equity method investment, ownership (as a percent) Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage New Accounting Pronouncements Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Text Block] Claims Operating Insurance and Claims Costs, Production Underlying Securities Award Underlying Securities Amount Policy insurance coverage for potential losses on damage to property owned or in control, maximum Policy Insurance Coverage For Potential Losses On Damage To Property Owned Or In Control, Maximum Policy Insurance Coverage For Potential Losses On Damage To Property Owned Or In Control, Maximum Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Document Period End Date Document Period End Date PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures, Table Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures [Table Text Block] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Schedule of Investments [Table] Schedule of Investments [Table] Document Type Document Type Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalent [Abstract] Name Outstanding Recovery, Individual Name Loss Contingencies [Table] Loss Contingencies [Table] Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital Product and Service [Axis] Product and Service [Axis] Railway operating revenues Total Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Litigation Status [Domain] Litigation Status [Domain] All Individuals All Individuals [Member] Norfolk Southern Norfolk Southern Corporation [Member] Norfolk Southern Corporation Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Property additions Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Name Forgone Recovery, Individual Name Total current assets Assets, Current Statistical Measurement [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Year-over-Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years That are Outstanding and Unvested Year-over-Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years That are Outstanding and Unvested [Member] Loss contingency accrual Loss Contingency Accrual Eastern Ohio Incident Eastern Ohio Incident [Member] Eastern Ohio Incident Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Peer Group Issuers, Footnote Peer Group Issuers, Footnote [Text Block] Income available to common stockholders, basic Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Erroneous Compensation Analysis Erroneous Compensation Analysis [Text Block] Self insured for bodily injury and property damage to third parties, pollution releases , additional liability Self Insured For Bodily Injury And Property Damage To Third Parties, Pollution Releases , Additional Liability Self Insured For Bodily Injury And Property Damage To Third Parties, Pollution Releases , Additional Liability Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Other comprehensive income (loss) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated [Flag] Long-term line of credit Long-Term Line of Credit Gains and losses on properties Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets Common stock transactions Common Stock Transactions Common stock transactions, including proceeds from stock options exercised and payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation Diluted (in dollars per share) Earnings per share, diluted (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Due to affiliate, average interest rate (as a percent) Related Party Transaction, Rate Dividend equivalent payments, basic Participating Securities, Distributed and Undistributed Earnings (Loss), Basic Eastern Ohio incident Unusual or Infrequent Item, or Both, Gain, Gross Erroneously Awarded Compensation Recovery Erroneously Awarded Compensation Recovery [Table] Accounts receivable – net   Accounts receivable – net Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Title of 12(b) Security Title of 12(b) Security Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward] AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward] Number of school districts as plaintiffs Loss Contingency, Number of Plaintiffs Earnings per share Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Stock-based compensation Shares Issued, Value, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Net Shares Issued, Value, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Net Number of individuals Litigation Settlement, Number Of Individuals Litigation Settlement, Number Of Individuals Specified termination fee Business Combination, Specified Termination Fee Business Combination, Specified Termination Fee TTX Company TTX Company [Member] TTX Company [Member] Share repurchases Stock repurchased and retired during period Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value Short-term Debt, Type [Axis] Short-Term Debt, Type [Axis] Conrail Inc Conrail Inc [Member] Jointly owned LLC between NS and CSX that is treated by NS as an equity method investee Income taxes (net of refunds) Income Taxes Paid, Net Award Timing Disclosures [Line Items] Service cost Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost Policy insurance coverage for potential losses on damage to property owned or in control, minimum Policy Insurance Coverage For Potential Losses On Damage To Property Owned Or In Control, Minimum Policy Insurance Coverage For Potential Losses On Damage To Property Owned Or In Control, Minimum Settlement payment Payments for Legal Settlements Finance lease option to extend lease, term Lessee, Finance Lease, Option To Extend Lease, Term Lessee, Finance Lease, Option To Extend Lease, Term Net income Net income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Subsequent Event [Table] Subsequent Event [Table] Expiration Date Trading Arrangement Expiration Date Reportable Segment Reportable Segment [Member] Reportable Segment Pending Litigation Pending Litigation [Member] Current liabilities other than debt Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Stockholders’ equity: Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Award vesting period (in years) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Properties less accumulated depreciation Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Debt repayments Repayments of Debt and Lease Obligation Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Purchase and retirement of common stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Adoption Date Trading Arrangement Adoption Date Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income [Text Block] Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Contract assets Contract with Customer, Asset, after Allowance for Credit Loss Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures [Table] Income from railway operations Operating Income (Loss) Other Environmental Claims Other Environmental Claims [Member] Other Environmental Claims Retained income Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Unusual or Infrequent Item, or Both [Axis] Unusual or Infrequent Item, or Both [Axis] Schedule of Stock-Based Compensation Expense and Related Tax Benefits Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Cost by Plan [Table Text Block] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Year-end Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Covered Year that are Outstanding and Unvested Year-end Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Covered Year that are Outstanding and Unvested [Member] Executive Category: Executive Category [Axis] Net of forfeitures Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures Other Other Operating Income (Expense), Net Comprehensive income: Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Self insured for bodily injury and property damage to third parties, pollution releases above Self Insured For Bodily Injury And Property Damage To Third Parties, Pollution Releases Above Self Insured For Bodily Injury And Property Damage To Third Parties, Pollution Releases Above Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value of Equity Award Amounts Reported in Summary Compensation Table Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value of Equity Award Amounts Reported in Summary Compensation Table [Member] Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Schedule of Accounts Receivable Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Other income – net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustment to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity [Abstract] Cash flows from financing activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation [Abstract] Equity Awards Adjustments, Excluding Value Reported in Compensation Table Equity Awards Adjustments, Excluding Value Reported in the Compensation Table [Member] Contract liabilities Contract with Customer, Liability Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation All Adjustments to Compensation All Adjustments to Compensation [Member] Automotive Automotive [Member] Railway Operating Revenues, Market Group, Automotive Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Total tax benefit Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Expense, Tax Benefit Other Postretirement Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] Termination Date Trading Arrangement Termination Date Net cash used in financing activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation Known cleanup and remediation locations and projects Environmental Cleanup Locations Number of known locations and projects of environmental loss contingencies. Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Adopted Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Adopted [Flag] Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract] Measure: Measure [Axis] Materials and other Materials And Other Expense (Income) Materials And Other Expense (Income) Receivable [Domain] Receivable [Domain] Purchased services and rents Purchased Services And Rents 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. Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Long-Lived Tangible Asset [Domain] Weighted-average shares outstanding (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Schedule of Earnings Per Share Calculation Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Expenses for operation of the Shared Assets Areas Investment, Expenses For Operation Of Shared Assets Areas Investment, Expenses For Operation Of Shared Assets Areas Subsequent Events [Abstract] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Pay vs Performance Disclosure, Table Pay vs Performance [Table Text Block] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Forgone Recovery due to Violation of Home Country Law, Amount Forgone Recovery due to Violation of Home Country Law, Amount Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Forgone Recovery due to Expense of Enforcement, Amount Forgone Recovery due to Expense of Enforcement, Amount Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items] Common stock, par or stated value per share (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Environmental Environmental [Member] Environmental Common stock issued (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Issued Number of motions Litigation Settlement, Number Of Daubert Motions Litigation Settlement, Number Of Daubert Motions Other comprehensive income (loss) of equity investees AOCI, Equity Method Investment, Parent [Member] Business combination, consideration transferred, shares issued per acquiree share Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued And Issuable, Entity Shares Issued Per Acquiree Share Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued And Issuable, Entity Shares Issued Per Acquiree Share Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive income (loss) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Litigation settlement, amount agreed and awarded to other party Litigation Settlement, Amount Awarded to Other Party Interest expense on debt Interest Expense, Nonoperating Trading Arrangement: Trading Arrangement [Axis] Total Shareholder Return Amount Total Shareholder Return Amount Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Subsequent Events Subsequent Events [Text Block] Insider Trading Arrangements [Line Items] Security Exchange Name Security Exchange Name Total liabilities Liabilities Maximum borrowing capacity Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Common stock, net of treasury shares Common Stock, Value, Outstanding Pension Adjustments Prior Service Cost Pension Adjustments Prior Service Cost [Member] Ancillary services percent of total railway operating revenues (as a percent) Ancillary Services Percent Of Total Railway Operating Revenues Ancillary Services Percent Of Total Railway Operating Revenues Stock repurchased during period (in shares) Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares Investments Investment Holdings [Text Block] Railway operating expenses Operating Expenses [Abstract] Material Terms of Trading Arrangement Material Terms of Trading Arrangement [Text Block] Other current liabilities Other Liabilities, Current Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Abstract] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted [Flag] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalent Subsequent Event [Line Items] Subsequent Event [Line Items] Common Stock Common Stock [Member] PSUs earned and paid out (in shares) RSUs vested (in shares) PSUs earned (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Non-NEOs Non-NEOs [Member] Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect and Discontinued Operation Dilutive effect of outstanding options and share-settled awards (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Adjustment Pension and other postretirement expense Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, before Tax, after Reclassification Adjustment, Attributable to Parent