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Income Taxes (Details 4) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
12 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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Dec. 31, 2014
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Dec. 31, 2013
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Current Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Abstract] | |||
| Current liability for unrecognized tax benefits | $ 6us-gaap_LiabilityForUncertainTaxPositionsCurrent | ||
| Reconciliation Of Changes In Unrecognized Tax Benefits Liabilities/(Assets) [Abstract] | |||
| Unrecognized tax benefits at January 1 | 59us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits | 115us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits | 107us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits |
| Increases for positions taken in current year | 92us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions | 24us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions | 29us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions |
| Increases for positions taken in prior years | 21us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions | 15us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions | 4us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions |
| Decreases for positions taken in prior years | (14)us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions | (30)us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions | (19)us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions |
| Payments to and settlements with taxing authorities | (7)us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities | (63)us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities | 0us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities |
| Increases/(decreases) for interest and penalties | 1unp_IncreasesDecreasesForInterestAndPenalties | 0unp_IncreasesDecreasesForInterestAndPenalties | (4)unp_IncreasesDecreasesForInterestAndPenalties |
| Lapse of statutes of limitations | (1)us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations | (2)us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations | (2)us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations |
| Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31 | $ 151us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits | $ 59us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits | $ 115us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits |
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- Details
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- Definition
The net amount of increases and decreases in unrecognized tax benefits for interest and penalties. No definition available.
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- Definition
The current portion of the amount recognized for uncertain tax positions as of the balance sheet date. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Details
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- Definition
Amount of unrecognized tax benefits pertaining to uncertain tax positions taken in tax returns. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of decrease in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from tax positions taken in prior period tax returns. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of decrease in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from settlements with taxing authorities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of increase in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from tax positions that have been or will be taken in current period tax return. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of increase in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from tax positions taken in prior period tax returns. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of decrease in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from lapses of applicable statutes of limitations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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