Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Income Statement [Abstract]
Railway operating revenues	$ 3,051	$ 2,971	$ 9,099	$ 9,083
Railway operating expenses
Compensation and benefits	690	715	2,126	2,098
Purchased services and rents	497	517	1,541	1,519
Fuel	216	289	757	867
Depreciation	339	326	1,011	968
Materials and other	(188)	205	200	622
Restructuring and other charges	60	0	156	0
Eastern Ohio incident	(159)	163	368	966
Total railway operating expenses	1,455	2,215	6,159	7,040
Income from railway operations	1,596	756	2,940	2,043
Other income – net	34	40	69	153
Interest expense on debt	203	182	608	527
Income before income taxes	1,427	614	2,401	1,669
Income taxes	328	136	512	369
Net income	$ 1,099	$ 478	$ 1,889	$ 1,300
Earnings per share
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 4.86	$ 2.11	$ 8.35	$ 5.71
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 4.85	$ 2.10	$ 8.34	$ 5.70

Materials And Other Expense (Income)

No definition available.

Name:	nsc_MaterialsAndOtherExpenseIncome
Namespace Prefix:	nsc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of expense for contract services provided to the Company and rent paid for freight cars owned by other railroads or private companies net of rents received, including lease expenses, primarily for locomotives, railcars, containers, and trailers.

+ References

No definition available.