Name:	unp_LossContingencyAccrualCarryingValueChangeInPriorYears
Namespace Prefix:	unp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of loss contingency liability.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121557415&loc=d3e14326-108349

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of loss contingency liability expected to be resolved within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualCarryingValueCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of cash outflow reducing loss contingency liability.

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualPayments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Amount charged against operating income increasing loss contingency liability, after adjustments to reduce previously estimated charges.