v2.4.1.9
Debt (Details 1) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Item]    
Total debt $ 11,480us-gaap_LongTermDebt $ 9,577us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Current portion of debt (462)us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent (705)us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent
Total long-term debt 11,018us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations 8,872us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
Notes And Debentures [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Item]    
Total debt 9,266us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
8,068us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
Stated percentage rate range, minimum 2.30%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMinimum
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
 
Stated percentage rate range, maximum 7.90%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMaximum
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
 
Debt due through Jan. 01, 2054  
Capitalized Leases [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Item]    
Total debt 1,520us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember
1,702us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember
Stated percentage rate range, minimum 3.10%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMinimum
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember
 
Stated percentage rate range, maximum 8.40%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMaximum
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember
 
Debt due through Dec. 10, 2028  
Equipment Obligations [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Item]    
Total debt 597us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= unp_EquipmentObligationsMember
110us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= unp_EquipmentObligationsMember
Stated percentage rate range, minimum 3.20%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMinimum
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= unp_EquipmentObligationsMember
 
Stated percentage rate range, maximum 6.70%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMaximum
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= unp_EquipmentObligationsMember
 
Debt due through Jan. 02, 2031  
Receivables Securitization Facility [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Item]    
Total debt 400us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= unp_ReceivablesSecuritizationFacilityMember
0us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= unp_ReceivablesSecuritizationFacilityMember
Floating Rate Term Loan [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Item]    
Total debt 200us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= unp_FloatingRateTermLoanMember
200us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= unp_FloatingRateTermLoanMember
Debt due through Oct. 31, 2016  
Mortgage Bonds [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Item]    
Total debt 57us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MortgagesMember
57us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MortgagesMember
Stated percentage rate range, minimum 4.80%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMinimum
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MortgagesMember
 
Stated percentage rate range, maximum 4.80%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMaximum
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MortgagesMember
 
Debt due through Jan. 01, 2030  
Medium-Term Notes [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Item]    
Total debt 23us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
32us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
Stated percentage rate range, minimum 9.30%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMinimum
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
 
Stated percentage rate range, maximum 10.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMaximum
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
 
Debt due through Apr. 15, 2020  
Tax-Exempt Financings [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Item]    
Total debt 8us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= unp_TaxExemptFinancingsMember
12us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= unp_TaxExemptFinancingsMember
Debt due through Dec. 01, 2015  
Unamortized Discount [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Item]    
Total debt $ (591)us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= unp_UnamortizedDiscountMember
$ (604)us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= unp_UnamortizedDiscountMember