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Properties - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) locomotive	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Sale of natural resource assets	$ 88
Impairment assets to be disposed of		$ 49
Gains and losses on properties	(39)	(42)	$ (171)
Interest costs incurred on debt	639	620	574
Interest costs capitalized	$ 14	$ 16	$ 17
Rail and other track material
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Number of locomotives held for sale | locomotive	703
Gains and losses on properties	$ 385
Income tax benefit for locomotive retirement adjustment	$ (97)

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Amount of gain (loss) on sale or disposal of assets, including but not limited to property plant and equipment, intangible assets and equity in securities of subsidiaries or equity method investee.

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