v2.4.1.9
Stock Options and Other Stock Plans (Details 5) (Stock Options [Member], USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Stock Options [Member]
     
Stock Option Aggregate Disclosures [Abstract]      
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised $ 194us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
$ 112us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
$ 244us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
Cash received from option exercises 54us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationCashReceivedFromExerciseOfStockOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
51us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationCashReceivedFromExerciseOfStockOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
84us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationCashReceivedFromExerciseOfStockOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
Treasury shares repurchased for employee payroll taxes (24)unp_TreasurySharesRepurchasedForEmployeePayrollTaxes
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
(21)unp_TreasurySharesRepurchasedForEmployeePayrollTaxes
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
(30)unp_TreasurySharesRepurchasedForEmployeePayrollTaxes
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
Tax benefit realized from option exercises 74us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitRealizedFromExerciseOfStockOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
43us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitRealizedFromExerciseOfStockOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
93us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitRealizedFromExerciseOfStockOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
Aggregate grant-date fair value of stock options vested $ 17unp_AggregateGrantDateFairValueOfStockOptionsVested
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
$ 16unp_AggregateGrantDateFairValueOfStockOptionsVested
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
$ 16unp_AggregateGrantDateFairValueOfStockOptionsVested
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember