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Business and Customers	12 Months Ended
Business and Customers	Dec. 31, 2011
BUSINESS AND CUSTOMERS: [Abstract]
Business Description and Basis of Presentation	BUSINESS AND CUSTOMERS: Genesee & Wyoming Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company) currently have interests in 65 railroads, of which 59 are located in the United States, three are located in Canada, two are located in Australia and one is located in the Netherlands and Belgium. From January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011, the Company acquired three railroads (two in the United States and one in Australia), sold its operations in Mexico and sold substantially all of its investments in South America. Through its subsidiaries, the Company owns and operates short line and regional freight railroads and provides rail car switching and ancillary rail services. In addition, the Company also operates a railroad that runs approximately 1,400 miles between Tarcoola in South Australia and Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia. See Note 3, Changes in Operations, for descriptions of the Company’s changes in operations in recent years. A large portion of the Company’s operating revenues is attributable to industrial customers operating in the electricity generation, farm and food products and paper and forest products industries. Freight revenues from the Company’s 10 largest freight customers accounted for approximately 24%, 22% and 21% of the Company’s operating revenues in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.