Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
OPERATING REVENUES	$ 874,916	$ 829,096	$ 630,195
OPERATING EXPENSES: [Abstract]
Labor and benefits	257,618	236,152	207,863
Equipment rents	37,322	43,885	32,484
Purchased services	80,572	78,710	52,100
Depreciation and amortization	73,405	66,481	51,166
Diesel fuel used in operations	88,399	88,499	45,856
Diesel fuel sold to third parties	11,322	16,986	17,322
Casualties and insurance	24,858	22,469	14,235
Materials	25,240	26,419	22,280
Net (gain)/loss on sale and impairment of assets	(11,225)	(5,660)	(6,441)
Gain on settlement	0	0	(8,707)
Gain on insurance recoveries	(5,760)	(1,061)	0
Stamp duty	0	0	16,369
Restructuring	0	0	(2,349)
Other operating expenses	72,799	64,437	57,607
RailAmerica acquisition-related costs	18,592	0	0
RailAmerica integration costs	11,452	0	0
Total operating expenses	684,594	637,317	499,785
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	190,322	191,779	130,410
Gain on sale of investments	0	907	0
Interest income	3,725	3,243	2,397
Interest expense	(62,845)	(38,617)	(23,147)
Contingent forward sale contract mark-to-market expense	(50,106)	0	0
Other income/(expense), net	2,300	712	(827)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income from equity investment	83,396	158,024	108,833
Provision for income taxes	(46,402)	(38,531)	(30,164)
Income from equity investment in RailAmerica, net	15,557	0	0
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	52,551	119,493	78,669
(Loss)/income from discontinued operations, net of tax	(118)	(9)	2,591
Net income	52,433	119,484	81,260
Series A-1 Preferred Stock dividend	4,375	0	0
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 48,058	$ 119,484	$ 81,260
Basic earnings per share attributable to Genesee & Wyoming Inc common stockholders: [Abstract]
Basic earnings per common share from continuing operations	$ 1.13	$ 2.99	$ 2.02
Basic (loss)/earnings per common share from discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.07
Basic earnings per common share	$ 1.13	$ 2.99	$ 2.09
Weighted average shares - Basic	42,693	39,912	38,886
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Genesee & Wyoming Inc. common stockholders: [Abstract]
Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations	$ 1.02	$ 2.79	$ 1.88
Diluted (loss)/earnings per common share from discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.06
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 1.02	$ 2.79	$ 1.94
Weighted average shares - Diluted	51,316	42,772	41,889