v2.4.1.9
Income Taxes (Details 6) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate [Abstract]        
Unrecognized tax benefits that would reduce the effective tax rate $ 33us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate $ 34us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate $ 41us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate  
Unrecognized tax benefits that would not reduce the effective tax rate 118unp_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsNotImpactingEffectiveTaxRate 25unp_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsNotImpactingEffectiveTaxRate 74unp_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsNotImpactingEffectiveTaxRate  
Total unrecognized tax benefits $ 151us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits $ 59us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits $ 115us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits $ 107us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits