Commitments and Contingencies (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

In connection with the Company's acquisition of RailAmerica, five putative stockholder class action lawsuits were filed in 2012, three in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (Delaware Court) and two in the Circuit Court of the Fourth Judicial Circuit for Duval County, Florida, Civil Division (Florida Circuit Court), against RailAmerica, the RailAmerica directors and Genesee & Wyoming.

The two lawsuits filed in the Florida Circuit Court alleged, among other things, that the RailAmerica directors breached their fiduciary duties in connection with their decision to sell RailAmerica to Genesee & Wyoming via an allegedly flawed process and failed to obtain the best financial and other terms and that RailAmerica and Genesee & Wyoming aided and abetted those alleged breaches of duty. The complaints requested, among other relief, an order to enjoin consummation of the merger and attorneys' fees. On July 31, 2012, plaintiffs in the Florida actions filed a motion to consolidate the two Florida actions, appoint plaintiffs Langan and Sambuco as lead plaintiffs and appoint lead counsel in the proposed consolidated action. Plaintiffs in the Florida actions also filed an emergency motion for expedited proceedings on August 7, 2012 and an amended complaint on August 8, 2012, which included allegations that the information statement filed by RailAmerica on August 3, 2012, omitted material information about the proposed merger. On August 17, 2012, the parties in the Florida actions submitted a stipulation for expedited proceedings, which the Florida Circuit Court ordered on August 20, 2012.

The three lawsuits filed in Delaware Court named the same defendants, alleged substantially similar claims, and sought similar relief as the Florida actions. The parties to the Delaware actions submitted orders of dismissal in November 2012, which the Delaware Court has granted.

On December 7, 2012, solely to avoid the costs, risks and uncertainties inherent in litigation, and without admitting any liability or wrongdoing, the Company and the other parties to the Florida actions executed a Stipulation and Agreement of Compromise, Settlement and Release to settle all related claims. The settlement is not material and is subject to, among other things, final approval by the Florida Circuit Court. On January 28, 2013, the Florida Circuit Court gave preliminary approval of the settlement and scheduled a hearing on final approval of the settlement for May 15, 2013.

In addition to the lawsuits set forth above, from time to time, the Company is a defendant in certain lawsuits resulting from the Company's operations in the ordinary course. Management believes there are adequate provisions in the financial statements for any probable liabilities that may result from disposition of the pending lawsuits. Based upon currently available information, the Company does not believe it is reasonably possible that any such lawsuit or related lawsuits would be material to the Company's results of operations or have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or liquidity.