$NSC
NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORP Stock $nsc

$nsc Overview Financials Valuation SEC Filings Company Website

2020 Q4 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000070216521000006 Filed on February 04, 2021

Income Statement

Concept	2020 Q4	2019 Q4	2019 Q3
Revenue	$2.573B	$2.690B	$2.841B
YoY Change	-4.35%	-7.11%	-3.6%
Cost Of Revenue	$1.221B	$1.369B	$1.491B
YoY Change	-10.81%	-5.46%	-3.68%
Gross Profit	$1.352B	$1.321B	$1.350B
YoY Change	2.35%	-8.77%	-3.5%
Gross Profit Margin	52.55%	49.11%	47.52%
Selling, General & Admin	$81.00M	$74.00M	$68.00M
YoY Change	9.46%	-16.85%	-33.98%
% of Gross Profit	5.99%	5.6%	5.04%
Research & Development
YoY Change
% of Gross Profit
Depreciation & Amortization	$287.0M	$285.0M	$286.0M
YoY Change	0.7%	1.06%	3.62%
% of Gross Profit	21.23%	21.57%	21.19%
Operating Expenses	$368.0M	$359.0M	$1.845B
YoY Change	2.51%	-2.97%	-4.26%
Operating Profit	$984.0M	$962.0M	$996.0M
YoY Change	2.29%	-10.76%	-2.35%
Interest Expense	-$160.0M	-$152.0M	$150.0M
YoY Change	5.26%	2.7%	5.63%
% of Operating Profit	-16.26%	-15.8%	15.06%
Other Income/Expense, Net	$43.00M	$18.00M	$22.00M
YoY Change	138.89%		-26.67%
Pretax Income	$867.0M	$828.0M	$868.0M
YoY Change	4.71%	-10.97%	-4.41%
Income Tax	$196.0M	$162.0M	$211.0M
% Of Pretax Income	22.61%	19.57%	24.31%
Net Earnings	$671.0M	$666.0M	$657.0M
YoY Change	0.75%	-5.13%	-6.41%
Net Earnings / Revenue	26.08%	24.76%	23.13%
Basic Earnings Per Share	$2.65	$2.56	$2.50
Diluted Earnings Per Share	$2.64	$2.55	$2.49
COMMON SHARES
Basic Shares Outstanding			262.1M shares
Diluted Shares Outstanding			264.3M shares

Balance Sheet

Concept	2020 Q4	2019 Q4	2019 Q3
SHORT-TERM ASSETS
Cash & Short-Term Investments	$1.115B	$580.0M	$452.0M
YoY Change	92.24%	62.01%	-38.0%
Cash & Equivalents	$1.115B	$580.0M	$452.0M
Short-Term Investments
Other Short-Term Assets	$134.0M	$337.0M	$325.0M
YoY Change	-60.24%	17.01%	364.29%
Inventory	$221.0M	$244.0M	$266.0M
Prepaid Expenses
Receivables	$848.0M	$920.0M	$973.0M
Other Receivables	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Total Short-Term Assets	$2.318B	$2.081B	$2.016B
YoY Change	11.39%	11.76%	-4.41%
LONG-TERM ASSETS
Property, Plant & Equipment	$31.35B	$31.61B	$31.39B
YoY Change	-0.85%	1.68%	2.22%
Goodwill
YoY Change
Intangibles
YoY Change
Long-Term Investments	$2.662B	$2.646B	$3.376B
YoY Change	0.6%	4.5%	8.59%
Other Assets	$709.0M	$800.0M	$714.0M
YoY Change	-11.38%	351.98%	82.14%
Total Long-Term Assets	$35.64B	$35.84B	$35.48B
YoY Change	-0.55%	4.26%	3.71%
TOTAL ASSETS
Total Short-Term Assets	$2.318B	$2.081B	$2.016B
Total Long-Term Assets	$35.64B	$35.84B	$35.48B
Total Assets	$37.96B	$37.92B	$37.50B
YoY Change	0.1%	4.65%	3.24%
SHORT-TERM LIABILITIES
YoY Change
Accounts Payable	$1.016B	$1.428B	$1.407B
YoY Change	-28.85%	-5.12%	0.93%
Accrued Expenses	$89.00M	$97.00M	$97.00M
YoY Change	-8.25%
Deferred Revenue
YoY Change
Short-Term Debt	$0.00	$0.00	$350.0M
YoY Change
Long-Term Debt Due	$579.0M	$316.0M	$401.0M
YoY Change	83.23%	-45.98%	-19.8%
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$2.160B	$2.300B	$2.761B
YoY Change	-6.09%	-11.23%	13.11%
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Long-Term Debt	$12.10B	$11.88B	$11.09B
YoY Change	1.87%	12.5%	4.23%
Other Long-Term Liabilities	$1.987B	$1.744B	$1.727B
YoY Change	13.93%	37.76%	32.64%
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$1.987B	$1.744B	$1.727B
YoY Change	13.93%	37.76%	32.64%
TOTAL LIABILITIES
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$2.160B	$2.300B	$2.761B
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$1.987B	$1.744B	$1.727B
Total Liabilities	$23.17B	$22.74B	$22.26B
YoY Change	1.9%	8.92%	6.81%
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
Retained Earnings	$12.88B	$13.21B	$13.31B
YoY Change	-2.45%	-1.73%	-2.46%
Common Stock
YoY Change
Preferred Stock
YoY Change
Treasury Stock (at cost)	$19.00M	$19.00M
YoY Change	0.0%	0.0%
Treasury Stock Shares	20.32M shares	20.32M shares
Shareholders Equity	$14.79B	$15.18B	$15.24B
YoY Change
Total Liabilities & Shareholders Equity	$37.96B	$37.92B	$37.50B
YoY Change	0.1%	4.65%	3.24%

Cashflow Statement

Concept	2020 Q4	2019 Q4	2019 Q3
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income	$671.0M	$666.0M	$657.0M
YoY Change	0.75%	-5.13%	-6.41%
Depreciation, Depletion And Amortization	$287.0M	$285.0M	$286.0M
YoY Change	0.7%	1.06%	3.62%
Cash From Operating Activities	$870.0M	$895.0M	$1.045B
YoY Change	-2.79%	6.29%	-1.23%
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital Expenditures	-$441.0M	-$525.0M	-$515.0M
YoY Change	-16.0%	-16.0%	5.1%
Acquisitions
YoY Change
Other Investing Activities	$84.00M	$84.00M	$44.00M
YoY Change	0.0%	-22.22%	-67.41%
Cash From Investing Activities	-$357.0M	-$441.0M	-$471.0M
YoY Change	-19.05%	-14.7%	32.68%
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Cash Dividend Paid
YoY Change
Common Stock Issuance & Retirement, Net
YoY Change
Debt Paid & Issued, Net
YoY Change
Cash From Financing Activities	-757.0M	-414.0M	-394.0M
YoY Change	82.85%	-40.52%	24.68%
NET CHANGE
Cash From Operating Activities	870.0M	895.0M	1.045B
Cash From Investing Activities	-357.0M	-441.0M	-471.0M
Cash From Financing Activities	-757.0M	-414.0M	-394.0M
Net Change In Cash	-244.0M	40.00M	180.0M
YoY Change	-710.0%	-110.78%	-53.49%
FREE CASH FLOW
Cash From Operating Activities	$870.0M	$895.0M	$1.045B
Capital Expenditures	-$441.0M	-$525.0M	-$515.0M
Free Cash Flow	$1.311B	$1.420B	$1.560B
YoY Change	-7.68%	-3.2%	0.78%

Facts In Submission

Frame	Concept Type	Concept / XBRL Key	Value	Unit
CY2020	dei	Entity Central Index Key EntityCentralIndexKey	0000702165
CY2020	dei	Document Fiscal Year Focus DocumentFiscalYearFocus	2020
CY2020	dei	Document Fiscal Period Focus DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus	FY
CY2020	dei	Amendment Flag AmendmentFlag	false
CY2020	dei	Current Fiscal Year End Date CurrentFiscalYearEndDate	--12-31
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CY2020	dei	Document Type DocumentType	10-K
CY2020	dei	Document Annual Report DocumentAnnualReport	true
CY2020	dei	Document Period End Date DocumentPeriodEndDate	2020-12-31
CY2020	dei	Current Fiscal Year End Date CurrentFiscalYearEndDate	--12-31
CY2020	dei	Document Transition Report DocumentTransitionReport	false
CY2020	dei	Entity Incorporation State Country Code EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode	VA
CY2020	dei	Entity Tax Identification Number EntityTaxIdentificationNumber	52-1188014
CY2020	dei	Entity Address Address Line1 EntityAddressAddressLine1	Three Commercial Place
CY2020	dei	Entity Address Postal Zip Code EntityAddressPostalZipCode	23510-2191
CY2020	dei	Entity File Number EntityFileNumber	1-8339
CY2020	dei	Entity Registrant Name EntityRegistrantName	NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION
CY2020	dei	Entity Address City Or Town EntityAddressCityOrTown	Norfolk,
CY2020	dei	Entity Address State Or Province EntityAddressStateOrProvince	VA
CY2020	dei	City Area Code CityAreaCode	(757)
CY2020	dei	Local Phone Number LocalPhoneNumber	629-2680
CY2020	dei	Security12b Title Security12bTitle	Norfolk Southern Corporation Common Stock (Par Value $1.00)
CY2020	dei	Trading Symbol TradingSymbol	NSC
CY2020	dei	Security Exchange Name SecurityExchangeName	NYSE
CY2020	dei	Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer	Yes
CY2020	dei	Entity Voluntary Filers EntityVoluntaryFilers	No
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CY2020	dei	Entity Interactive Data Current EntityInteractiveDataCurrent	Yes
CY2020	dei	Entity Filer Category EntityFilerCategory	Large Accelerated Filer
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CY2020	us-gaap	Equity Method Investment Other Than Temporary Impairment EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment	99000000	USD
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CY2018	us-gaap	Equity Method Investment Other Than Temporary Impairment EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment	0	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Receivable IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable	-71000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Receivable IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable	-87000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Receivable IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable	70000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Materials And Supplies IncreaseDecreaseInMaterialsAndSupplies	-23000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Materials And Supplies IncreaseDecreaseInMaterialsAndSupplies	37000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Materials And Supplies IncreaseDecreaseInMaterialsAndSupplies	-15000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Current Assets IncreaseDecreaseInOtherCurrentAssets	-3000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Current Assets IncreaseDecreaseInOtherCurrentAssets	4000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Current Assets IncreaseDecreaseInOtherCurrentAssets	46000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities	34000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities	-185000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities	223000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Operating Activities Cash Flow Statement OtherOperatingActivitiesCashFlowStatement	-248000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Operating Activities Cash Flow Statement OtherOperatingActivitiesCashFlowStatement	-118000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Operating Activities Cash Flow Statement OtherOperatingActivitiesCashFlowStatement	-168000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	3637000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	3892000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	3726000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	1494000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	2019000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	1951000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment	333000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment	377000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment	204000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Investments PaymentsToAcquireInvestments	13000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Investments PaymentsToAcquireInvestments	18000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Investments PaymentsToAcquireInvestments	10000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	1000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	104000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	-99000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-1175000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-1764000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-1658000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends Common Stock PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock	960000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends Common Stock PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock	949000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends Common Stock PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock	844000000	USD
CY2020	nsc	Common Stock Transactions CommonStockTransactions	69000000	USD
CY2019	nsc	Common Stock Transactions CommonStockTransactions	27000000	USD
CY2018	nsc	Common Stock Transactions CommonStockTransactions	40000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock	1439000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock	2099000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock	2781000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Proceeds From Debt Net Of Issuance Costs ProceedsFromDebtNetOfIssuanceCosts	784000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Debt Net Of Issuance Costs ProceedsFromDebtNetOfIssuanceCosts	2192000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Debt Net Of Issuance Costs ProceedsFromDebtNetOfIssuanceCosts	2023000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Repayments Of Debt And Capital Lease Obligations RepaymentsOfDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations	381000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Repayments Of Debt And Capital Lease Obligations RepaymentsOfDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations	1188000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Repayments Of Debt And Capital Lease Obligations RepaymentsOfDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations	750000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities	0	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities	23000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities	0	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	-1927000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	-1994000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	-2312000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Including Exchange Rate Effect CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect	535000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Including Exchange Rate Effect CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect	134000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Including Exchange Rate Effect CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect	-244000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	580000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	446000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	690000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	1115000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	580000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	446000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Interest Paid Net InterestPaidNet	577000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Interest Paid Net InterestPaidNet	555000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Interest Paid Net InterestPaidNet	496000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Income Taxes Paid Net IncomeTaxesPaidNet	311000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Taxes Paid Net IncomeTaxesPaidNet	543000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Taxes Paid Net IncomeTaxesPaidNet	519000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	16359000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	2666000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	-119000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	2547000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	3.04
CY2018	us-gaap	Dividends Common Stock Cash DividendsCommonStockCash	844000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Stock Repurchased And Retired During Period Value StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue	2781000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Value Share Based Compensation StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation	81000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Tax Cuts And Jobs Act Of2017 Reclassification From Aoci To Retained Earnings Tax Effect TaxCutsAndJobsActOf2017ReclassificationFromAociToRetainedEarningsTaxEffect	0	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	15362000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	2722000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	72000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	2794000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	3.60
CY2019	us-gaap	Dividends Common Stock Cash DividendsCommonStockCash	949000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Stock Repurchased And Retired During Period Value StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue	2099000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Value Share Based Compensation StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation	76000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	15184000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	2013000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	-103000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	1910000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	3.76
CY2020	us-gaap	Dividends Common Stock Cash DividendsCommonStockCash	960000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Stock Repurchased And Retired During Period Value StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue	1439000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Value Share Based Compensation StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation	96000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	14791000000	USD
CY2020	nsc	Operating Route Miles OperatingRouteMiles	19300	mi
CY2020	nsc	Employees Covered By Collective Bargaining Agreements EmployeesCoveredByCollectiveBargainingAgreements	0.80
CY2020	us-gaap	Use Of Estimates UseOfEstimates	<div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Use of Estimates</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%"> </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We periodically review our estimates, including those related to the recoverability and useful lives of assets, as well as liabilities for litigation, environmental remediation, casualty claims, income taxes and pension and other postretirement benefits. Changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised estimates.</span></div>
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable	6000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable	9000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Write Offs AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableWriteOffs	32000000	USD
CY2020	nsc	Number Of Depreciable Asset Classes Used Range NumberOfDepreciableAssetClassesUsedRange	75	depreciable_asset_class
CY2020	us-gaap	Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax	9789000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax	11296000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax	11458000000	USD
CY2020	nsc	Revenue Payment Terms RevenuePaymentTerms	P15D
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Accounts Receivable Net Current AccountsReceivableNetCurrent	848000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accounts Receivable Net Current AccountsReceivableNetCurrent	920000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Expense PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitExpense	91000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Expense PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitExpense	63000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Expense PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitExpense	61000000	USD
CY2020	nsc	Corporate Owned Life Insurance Income CorporateOwnedLifeInsuranceIncome	85000000	USD
CY2019	nsc	Corporate Owned Life Insurance Income CorporateOwnedLifeInsuranceIncome	69000000	USD
CY2018	nsc	Corporate Owned Life Insurance Income CorporateOwnedLifeInsuranceIncome	-10000000	USD
CY2020	nsc	Other Income Expense Net OtherIncomeExpenseNet	-23000000	USD
CY2019	nsc	Other Income Expense Net OtherIncomeExpenseNet	-26000000	USD
CY2018	nsc	Other Income Expense Net OtherIncomeExpenseNet	16000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	153000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	106000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	67000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Current Federal Tax Expense Benefit CurrentFederalTaxExpenseBenefit	307000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Current Federal Tax Expense Benefit CurrentFederalTaxExpenseBenefit	356000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Current Federal Tax Expense Benefit CurrentFederalTaxExpenseBenefit	499000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Current State And Local Tax Expense Benefit CurrentStateAndLocalTaxExpenseBenefit	68000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Current State And Local Tax Expense Benefit CurrentStateAndLocalTaxExpenseBenefit	83000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Current State And Local Tax Expense Benefit CurrentStateAndLocalTaxExpenseBenefit	131000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Current Income Tax Expense Benefit CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	375000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Current Income Tax Expense Benefit CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	439000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Current Income Tax Expense Benefit CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	630000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredFederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	111000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredFederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	280000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredFederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	156000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Deferred State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredStateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	31000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Deferred State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredStateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	50000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Deferred State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredStateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	17000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	142000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	330000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	173000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	517000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	769000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	803000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Income Tax Expense Benefit At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	531000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.210
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Income Tax Expense Benefit At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	733000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.210
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Income Tax Expense Benefit At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	728000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.210
CY2020	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes IncomeTaxReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	85000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	0.033
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes IncomeTaxReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	110000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	0.031
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes IncomeTaxReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	120000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	0.035
CY2020	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Share Based Compensation Excess Tax Benefit Amount EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationShareBasedCompensationExcessTaxBenefitAmount	-39000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Share Based Compensation Excess Tax Benefit Percent EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationShareBasedCompensationExcessTaxBenefitPercent	-0.015
CY2019	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Share Based Compensation Excess Tax Benefit Amount EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationShareBasedCompensationExcessTaxBenefitAmount	-29000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Share Based Compensation Excess Tax Benefit Percent EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationShareBasedCompensationExcessTaxBenefitPercent	-0.008
CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Share Based Compensation Excess Tax Benefit Amount EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationShareBasedCompensationExcessTaxBenefitAmount	-22000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Share Based Compensation Excess Tax Benefit Percent EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationShareBasedCompensationExcessTaxBenefitPercent	-0.007
CY2020	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Other Reconciling Items IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherReconcilingItems	-60000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Other Adjustments EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustments	-0.024
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Other Reconciling Items IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherReconcilingItems	-45000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Other Adjustments EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustments	-0.013
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Other Reconciling Items IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherReconcilingItems	-23000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Other Adjustments EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustments	-0.007
CY2020	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	517000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.204
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	769000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.220
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	803000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Compensation And Benefits DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefits	222000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccruals	93000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.231
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Compensation And Benefits DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefits	218000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccruals	89000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Other DeferredTaxAssetsOther	198000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Other DeferredTaxAssetsOther	202000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Gross DeferredTaxAssetsGross	509000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Gross DeferredTaxAssetsGross	513000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance	57000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance	54000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net DeferredTaxAssetsNet	452000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net DeferredTaxAssetsNet	459000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Property Plant And Equipment DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipment	6820000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Property Plant And Equipment DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipment	6714000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Other DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOther	554000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Other DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOther	560000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Liabilities DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilities	7374000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Liabilities DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilities	7274000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities DeferredTaxLiabilities	6922000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities DeferredTaxLiabilities	6815000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Valuation Allowance Deferred Tax Asset Change In Amount ValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetChangeInAmount	3000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Valuation Allowance Deferred Tax Asset Change In Amount ValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetChangeInAmount	4000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Valuation Allowance Deferred Tax Asset Change In Amount ValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetChangeInAmount	6000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	24000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	21000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Current Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions	4000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Current Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions	4000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Settlements With Taxing Authorities UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities	4000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Settlements With Taxing Authorities UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities	0	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Reductions Resulting From Lapse Of Applicable Statute Of Limitations UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations	2000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Reductions Resulting From Lapse Of Applicable Statute Of Limitations UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations	1000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	22000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	24000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate	17000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Proceeds From Income Tax Refunds ProceedsFromIncomeTaxRefunds	46000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Tax Adjustments Settlements And Unusual Provisions TaxAdjustmentsSettlementsAndUnusualProvisions	-19000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Equity Method Investments EquityMethodInvestments	2662000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Equity Method Investments EquityMethodInvestments	2646000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Cash Surrender Value Of Life Insurance CashSurrenderValueOfLifeInsurance	902000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Cash Surrender Value Of Life Insurance CashSurrenderValueOfLifeInsurance	767000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Other Investments OtherInvestments	26000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Other Investments OtherInvestments	15000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Investments LongTermInvestments	3590000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Investments LongTermInvestments	3428000000	USD
CY2020Q4	nsc	Long Term Purchase Commitment Future Access Fees Due Related Party Transaction Year One LongTermPurchaseCommitmentFutureAccessFeesDueRelatedPartyTransactionYearOne	41000000	USD
CY2020Q4	nsc	Long Term Purchase Commitment Future Access Fees Due Related Party Transaction Year Two LongTermPurchaseCommitmentFutureAccessFeesDueRelatedPartyTransactionYearTwo	41000000	USD
CY2020	nsc	Number Of Railroads Owning Joint Railcar Pooling Company NumberOfRailroadsOwningJointRailcarPoolingCompany	8	railroad
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Gross PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross	43330000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment	11985000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Net PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	31345000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Gross PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross	43596000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment	11982000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Net PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	31614000000	USD
CY2020	nsc	Sale Of Natural Resource Assets SaleOfNaturalResourceAssets	88000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Impairment Of Long Lived Assets To Be Disposed Of ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsToBeDisposedOf	49000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Interest Costs Incurred InterestCostsIncurred	639000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Interest Costs Incurred InterestCostsIncurred	620000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Interest Costs Incurred InterestCostsIncurred	574000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Interest Costs Capitalized InterestCostsCapitalized	14000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Interest Costs Capitalized InterestCostsCapitalized	16000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Interest Costs Capitalized InterestCostsCapitalized	17000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Salaries Current AccruedSalariesCurrent	552000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Salaries Current AccruedSalariesCurrent	710000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Loss Contingency Accrual Carrying Value Current LossContingencyAccrualCarryingValueCurrent	182000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Loss Contingency Accrual Carrying Value Current LossContingencyAccrualCarryingValueCurrent	212000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Vacation Current AccruedVacationCurrent	121000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Vacation Current AccruedVacationCurrent	136000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Accounts Payable Other Current AccountsPayableOtherCurrent	105000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accounts Payable Other Current AccountsPayableOtherCurrent	106000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Accounts Payable Current AccountsPayableCurrent	1016000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accounts Payable Current AccountsPayableCurrent	1428000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Interest Payable Current InterestPayableCurrent	141000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Interest Payable Current InterestPayableCurrent	149000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Liability Current OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent	89000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Other Accrued Liabilities Current OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent	53000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Other Accrued Liabilities Current OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent	63000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities Current OtherLiabilitiesCurrent	302000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Liability Current OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent	97000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities Current OtherLiabilitiesCurrent	327000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Finance Lease Liability FinanceLeaseLiability	25000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Finance Lease Liability FinanceLeaseLiability	8000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Debt Instrument Unamortized Discount Premium And Debt Issuance Costs Net DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet	1012000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Debt Instrument Unamortized Discount Premium And Debt Issuance Costs Net DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet	809000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Debt And Capital Lease Obligations DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations	12681000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Debt And Capital Lease Obligations DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations	12196000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Obligations Current LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent	579000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Obligations Current LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent	316000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Obligations LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations	12102000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Obligations LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations	11880000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal In Year Two LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo	553000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal In Year Three LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree	603000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal In Year Four LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour	403000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal In Year Five LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive	555000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal After Year Five LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive	9988000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Obligations LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations	12102000000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Restricted Cash RestrictedCash	88000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Restricted Cash RestrictedCash	88000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Renewal Term LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm	P99Y
CY2020	nsc	Lessee Operating Lease Termination Period LesseeOperatingLeaseTerminationPeriod	P30D
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Right Of Use Asset OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset	433000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Right Of Use Asset OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset	539000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Liability Current OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent	89000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Liability Current OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent	97000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Liability Noncurrent OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent	344000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Liability Noncurrent OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent	441000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Liability OperatingLeaseLiability	433000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Liability OperatingLeaseLiability	538000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Operating Lease Cost OperatingLeaseCost	109000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Operating Lease Cost OperatingLeaseCost	114000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Variable Lease Cost VariableLeaseCost	42000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Variable Lease Cost VariableLeaseCost	57000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Short Term Lease Cost ShortTermLeaseCost	9000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Short Term Lease Cost ShortTermLeaseCost	5000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Lease Cost LeaseCost	160000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Lease Cost LeaseCost	176000000	USD
CY2019Q1	nsc	Lessee Operating Lease Lease Not Yet Commenced Estimated Cost Of Construction LesseeOperatingLeaseLeaseNotYetCommencedEstimatedCostOfConstruction	550000000	USD
CY2019Q1	nsc	Lessee Operating Lease Lease Not Yet Commenced Residual Value Guarantee Percent LesseeOperatingLeaseLeaseNotYetCommencedResidualValueGuaranteePercent	0.90
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Undiscounted Excess Amount LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityUndiscountedExcessAmount	71000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue	504000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term1 OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1	P8Y2M4D
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term1 OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1	P8Y3M
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Weighted Average Discount Rate Percent OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent	0.0350
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Weighted Average Discount Rate Percent OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent	0.0352
CY2020	us-gaap	Right Of Use Asset Obtained In Exchange For Operating Lease Liability RightOfUseAssetObtainedInExchangeForOperatingLeaseLiability	22000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Right Of Use Asset Obtained In Exchange For Operating Lease Liability RightOfUseAssetObtainedInExchangeForOperatingLeaseLiability	49000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Operating Lease Payments OperatingLeasePayments	109000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Operating Lease Payments OperatingLeasePayments	114000000	USD
CY2019	nsc	Sale Leaseback Transaction Gross Proceeds SaleLeasebackTransactionGrossProceeds	82000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Sale And Leaseback Transaction Gain Loss Net SaleAndLeasebackTransactionGainLossNet	15000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Next Twelve Months LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueNextTwelveMonths	101000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Two LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearTwo	76000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Three LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearThree	67000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Four LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFour	58000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Five LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFive	57000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due After Year Five LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueAfterYearFive	145000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Weighted Average Volatility Rate ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsWeightedAverageVolatilityRate	0.24
CY2020	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Effect Of One Percentage Point Increase On Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentagePointIncreaseOnAccumulatedPostretirementBenefitObligation	8000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Liability OperatingLeaseLiability	433000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Next Twelve Months LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueNextTwelveMonths	110000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Two LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearTwo	104000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Three LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearThree	79000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Four LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFour	70000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Five LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFive	61000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due After Year Five LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueAfterYearFive	206000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue	630000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Undiscounted Excess Amount LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityUndiscountedExcessAmount	92000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Liability OperatingLeaseLiability	538000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Operating Leases Rent Expense Minimum Rentals OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumRentals	102000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Operating Leases Rent Expense Contingent Rentals OperatingLeasesRentExpenseContingentRentals	102000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Liability Noncurrent OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent	344000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Liability Noncurrent OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent	441000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Loss Contingency Accrual Carrying Value Noncurrent LossContingencyAccrualCarryingValueNoncurrent	169000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Loss Contingency Accrual Carrying Value Noncurrent LossContingencyAccrualCarryingValueNoncurrent	171000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Compensation Liability Classified Noncurrent DeferredCompensationLiabilityClassifiedNoncurrent	107000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Compensation Liability Classified Noncurrent DeferredCompensationLiabilityClassifiedNoncurrent	104000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Other Accrued Liabilities Noncurrent OtherAccruedLiabilitiesNoncurrent	187000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Other Accrued Liabilities Noncurrent OtherAccruedLiabilitiesNoncurrent	159000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities Noncurrent OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent	1987000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities Noncurrent OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent	1744000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Accumulated Benefit Obligation DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation	2600000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Accumulated Benefit Obligation DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation	2300000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Pension Plans With Accumulated Benefit Obligations In Excess Of Plan Assets Aggregate Projected Benefit Obligation DefinedBenefitPlanPensionPlansWithAccumulatedBenefitObligationsInExcessOfPlanAssetsAggregateProjectedBenefitObligation	359000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Pension Plans With Accumulated Benefit Obligations In Excess Of Plan Assets Aggregate Projected Benefit Obligation DefinedBenefitPlanPensionPlansWithAccumulatedBenefitObligationsInExcessOfPlanAssetsAggregateProjectedBenefitObligation	320000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Pension Plans With Accumulated Benefit Obligations In Excess Of Plan Assets Aggregate Accumulated Benefit Obligation DefinedBenefitPlanPensionPlansWithAccumulatedBenefitObligationsInExcessOfPlanAssetsAggregateAccumulatedBenefitObligation	330000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Pension Plans With Accumulated Benefit Obligations In Excess Of Plan Assets Aggregate Accumulated Benefit Obligation DefinedBenefitPlanPensionPlansWithAccumulatedBenefitObligationsInExcessOfPlanAssetsAggregateAccumulatedBenefitObligation	292000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Effect Of One Percentage Point Increase On Service And Interest Cost Components DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentagePointIncreaseOnServiceAndInterestCostComponents	1000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Effect Of One Percentage Point Decrease On Service And Interest Cost Components1 DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentagePointDecreaseOnServiceAndInterestCostComponents1	1000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Effect Of One Percentage Point Decrease On Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation1 DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentagePointDecreaseOnAccumulatedPostretirementBenefitObligation1	8000000	USD
CY2020Q4	nsc	Defined Benefit Plan Number Of Investment Firms DefinedBenefitPlanNumberOfInvestmentFirms	11	investment_firm
CY2020	us-gaap	Multiemployer Plan Employer Contribution Cost MultiemployerPlanEmployerContributionCost	22000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Multiemployer Plan Employer Contribution Cost MultiemployerPlanEmployerContributionCost	31000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Multiemployer Plan Employer Contribution Cost MultiemployerPlanEmployerContributionCost	35000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Defined Contribution Plan Cost Recognized DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized	21000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Defined Contribution Plan Cost Recognized DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized	22000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Defined Contribution Plan Cost Recognized DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized	23000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Shares Available For Grant ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant	8995582	shares
CY2020	nsc	Amended Ltip Plan Award Granted As Option Or Stock Appreciation Right AmendedLtipPlanAwardGrantedAsOptionOrStockAppreciationRight	1	shares
CY2020	nsc	Amended Ltip Plan Award Granted As Other Than Option Or Stock Appreciation Right AmendedLtipPlanAwardGrantedAsOtherThanOptionOrStockAppreciationRight	1.61	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense	28000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense	53000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense	47000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Compensation Expense EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense	44000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Compensation Expense EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense	37000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Compensation Expense EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense	33000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Weighted Average Volatility Rate ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsWeightedAverageVolatilityRate	0.22
CY2019	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Weighted Average Volatility Rate ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsWeightedAverageVolatilityRate	0.23
CY2018	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Risk Free Interest Rate ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate	0.0255
CY2020	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Risk Free Interest Rate ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate	0.0147
CY2019	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Risk Free Interest Rate ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate	0.0256
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber	2677449	shares
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice	91.51
CY2020	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod	43770	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice	213.54
CY2020	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Shares Stock Options Exercised StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised	1171786	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercises In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice	86.12
CY2020	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Forfeitures And Expirations In Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod	23308	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Forfeitures And Expirations In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice	156.02
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber	1526125	shares
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice	98.17
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Intrinsic Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue	213000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercisable Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber	1220685	shares
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Options Exercisable Intrinsic Value1 SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1	183000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Options Outstanding Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term2 SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2	P4Y7M6D
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice	87.75
CY2020	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Exercisable Options Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term2 SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2	P2Y10M24D
CY2020	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Shares Stock Options Exercised StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised	1171786	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Shares Stock Options Exercised StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised	770597	shares
CY2018	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Shares Stock Options Exercised StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised	840175	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercises In Period Total Intrinsic Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue	144000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercises In Period Total Intrinsic Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue	86000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercises In Period Total Intrinsic Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue	72000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Proceeds From Stock Options Exercised ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised	98000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Stock Options Exercised ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised	53000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Stock Options Exercised ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised	58000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Exercise Of Stock Options EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromExerciseOfStockOptions	29000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Exercise Of Stock Options EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromExerciseOfStockOptions	18000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Exercise Of Stock Options EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromExerciseOfStockOptions	16000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Nonvested Awards Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized	5000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares TreasuryStockShares	20320777	shares
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares TreasuryStockShares	20320777	shares
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Value TreasuryStockValue	19000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Value TreasuryStockValue	19000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Oci Before Reclassifications Before Tax Attributable To Parent OciBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTaxAttributableToParent	-123000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Reclassification From Aoci Current Period Net Of Tax Attributable To Parent ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAttributableToParent	-20000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Oci Before Reclassifications Before Tax Attributable To Parent OciBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTaxAttributableToParent	57000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Reclassification From Aoci Current Period Net Of Tax Attributable To Parent ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAttributableToParent	-15000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParent	-138000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Tax Portion Attributable To Parent1 OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTaxPortionAttributableToParent1	-35000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	-103000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParent	97000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Tax Portion Attributable To Parent1 OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTaxPortionAttributableToParent1	25000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	72000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParent	-157000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Tax Portion Attributable To Parent1 OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTaxPortionAttributableToParent1	-38000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	-119000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Stock Repurchased And Retired During Period Shares StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares	11300000	shares
CY2018	us-gaap	Stock Repurchased And Retired During Period Shares StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares	17100000	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Stock Repurchased And Retired During Period Shares StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares	7400000	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Stock Repurchased And Retired During Period Value StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue	1400000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Stock Repurchased And Retired During Period Value StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue	2100000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Stock Repurchased And Retired During Period Value StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue	2800000000	USD
CY2017Q3	us-gaap	Stock Repurchase Program Number Of Shares Authorized To Be Repurchased StockRepurchaseProgramNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased	50000000	shares
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Stock Repurchase Program Remaining Number Of Shares Authorized To Be Repurchased StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased	20700000	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	2013000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	2722000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	2666000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	2013000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	2722000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	2666000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Participating Securities Distributed And Undistributed Earnings Loss Basic ParticipatingSecuritiesDistributedAndUndistributedEarningsLossBasic	3000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Participating Securities Distributed And Undistributed Earnings Loss Basic ParticipatingSecuritiesDistributedAndUndistributedEarningsLossBasic	5000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Participating Securities Distributed And Undistributed Earnings Loss Basic ParticipatingSecuritiesDistributedAndUndistributedEarningsLossBasic	6000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Participating Securities Distributed And Undistributed Earnings Loss Diluted ParticipatingSecuritiesDistributedAndUndistributedEarningsLossDiluted	2000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Participating Securities Distributed And Undistributed Earnings Loss Diluted ParticipatingSecuritiesDistributedAndUndistributedEarningsLossDiluted	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Participating Securities Distributed And Undistributed Earnings Loss Diluted ParticipatingSecuritiesDistributedAndUndistributedEarningsLossDiluted	1000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	2010000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	2717000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	2660000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Diluted NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersDiluted	2011000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Diluted NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersDiluted	2722000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Diluted NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersDiluted	2665000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	255100000	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	263300000	shares
CY2018	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	277700000	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	255100000	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	263300000	shares
CY2018	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	277700000	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustment	1500000	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustment	2300000	shares
CY2018	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustment	2500000	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	256600000	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	265600000	shares
CY2018	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	280200000	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	7.88
CY2019	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	10.32
CY2018	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	9.58
CY2020	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	7.84
CY2019	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	10.25
CY2018	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	9.51
CY2019	us-gaap	Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount	0	shares
CY2020Q4	nsc	Self Insured For Property Owned Up To SelfInsuredForPropertyOwnedUpTo	275000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Long Term Purchase Commitment Amount LongTermPurchaseCommitmentAmount	1100000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount	0	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount	0	shares
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies	54000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies	56000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies Undiscounted Due Within One Year AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesUndiscountedDueWithinOneYear	15000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies Undiscounted Due Within One Year AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesUndiscountedDueWithinOneYear	15000000	USD
CY2020Q4	nsc	Environmental Cleanup Locations EnvironmentalCleanupLocations	100	location
CY2019Q4	nsc	Environmental Cleanup Locations EnvironmentalCleanupLocations	110	location
CY2020Q4	nsc	Environmental Locations Representative Sample EnvironmentalLocationsRepresentativeSample	17	location
CY2020Q4	nsc	Environmental Locations Representative Sample Liability EnvironmentalLocationsRepresentativeSampleLiability	40000000	USD
CY2020	nsc	Environmental Locations Representative Sample Liability Period EnvironmentalLocationsRepresentativeSampleLiabilityPeriod	P5Y
CY2020Q4	nsc	Environmental Responsible Party In Conjunction With Other Parties EnvironmentalResponsiblePartyInConjunctionWithOtherParties	11	location
CY2020Q4	nsc	Self Insured For Bodily Injury And Property Damage To Third Parties Above SelfInsuredForBodilyInjuryAndPropertyDamageToThirdPartiesAbove	75000000	USD
CY2020Q4	nsc	Self Insured For Bodily Injury And Property Damage To Third Parties Up To SelfInsuredForBodilyInjuryAndPropertyDamageToThirdPartiesUpTo	800000000	USD
CY2020Q4	nsc	Self Insured For Bodily Injury And Property Damage To Third Parties Below For Specific Perils SelfInsuredForBodilyInjuryAndPropertyDamageToThirdPartiesBelowForSpecificPerils	1100000000	USD
CY2020Q4	nsc	Self Insured Percentage Of Potential Losses Covered SelfInsuredPercentageOfPotentialLossesCovered	0.85
CY2020Q4	nsc	Self Insured For Property Owned Above SelfInsuredForPropertyOwnedAbove	75000000	USD
CY2020Q1	us-gaap	Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax	2625000000	USD
CY2020Q2	us-gaap	Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax	2085000000	USD
CY2020Q3	us-gaap	Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax	2506000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax	2573000000	USD
CY2020Q1	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	568000000	USD
CY2020Q2	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	610000000	USD
CY2020Q3	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	840000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	984000000	USD
CY2020Q1	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	381000000	USD
CY2020Q2	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	392000000	USD
CY2020Q3	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	569000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	671000000	USD
CY2020Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1.48
CY2020Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1.53
CY2020Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	2.23
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	2.65
CY2020Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.47
CY2020Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.53
CY2020Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	2.22
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	2.64
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax	2840000000	USD
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax	2925000000	USD
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax	2841000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax	2690000000	USD
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	996000000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	966000000	USD
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	1065000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	962000000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	677000000	USD
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	722000000	USD
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	657000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	666000000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	2.53
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	2.72
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	2.50
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	2.56
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	2.51
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	2.70
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	2.49
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	2.55

Files In Submission

Name	View Source	Status
0000702165-21-000006-index-headers.html	Edgar Link	pending
0000702165-21-000006-index.html	Edgar Link	pending
0000702165-21-000006.txt	Edgar Link	pending
0000702165-21-000006-xbrl.zip	Edgar Link	pending
FilingSummary.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
Financial_Report.xlsx	Edgar Link	pending
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nsc-20201231.xsd	Edgar Link	pending
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$NSC
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2020 Q4 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000070216521000006 Filed on February 04, 2021

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cashflow Statement

Facts In Submission

Files In Submission

$NSC NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORP Stock $nsc

2020 Q4 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000070216521000006 Filed on February 04, 2021

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cashflow Statement

Facts In Submission

Files In Submission

$NSC
NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORP Stock $nsc