v2.4.1.9
Income Taxes (Details 4) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
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