Segment Reporting - Schedule of Cost and Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2025	Jun. 30, 2025	Mar. 31, 2025	Sep. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2024	Mar. 31, 2024	Sep. 30, 2025	Sep. 30, 2024
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Railway operating revenues	$ 3,103			$ 3,051			$ 9,206	$ 9,099
Railway operating expenses
Compensation and benefits	738			690			2,169	2,126
Purchased services and rents	519			497			1,537	1,541
Fuel	237			216			700	757
Depreciation	348			339			1,040	1,011
Merger-related expenses	15			0			15	0
Restructuring and other charges	12			60			22	156
Eastern Ohio incident	(11)			(159)			(243)
Eastern Ohio incident								368
Total railway operating expenses	2,005			1,455			5,787	6,159
Income from railway operations	1,098			1,596			3,419	2,940
Other income – net	23			34			78	69
Interest expense on debt	197			203			597	608
Income before income taxes	924			1,427			2,900	2,401
Income taxes	213			328			671	512
Net income	711	$ 768	$ 750	1,099	$ 737	$ 53	2,229	1,889
Reportable Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Railway operating revenues	3,103			3,051			9,206	9,099
Railway operating expenses
Compensation and benefits	738			690			2,169	2,126
Purchased services and rents	414			405			1,224	1,244
Equipment rents	105			92			313	297
Fuel	237			216			700	757
Depreciation	348			339			1,040	1,011
Materials	104			96			302	286
Claims	75			66			200	164
Other	32			350			(45)	250
Merger-related expenses	15			0			15	0
Restructuring and other charges	12			60			22	156
Eastern Ohio incident	(11)			(159)			(243)
Eastern Ohio incident								368
Total railway operating expenses	2,005			1,455			5,787	6,159
Income from railway operations	1,098			1,596			3,419	2,940
Other income – net	23			34			78	69
Interest expense on debt	197			203			597	608
Income before income taxes	924			1,427			2,900	2,401
Income taxes	213			328			671	512
Net income	$ 711			$ 1,099			$ 2,229	$ 1,889

Equipment rents

No definition available.

Name:	nsc_EquipmentRents
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.