Property and Equipment and Leases (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	$ 3,840,940	$ 2,008,179
Less: accumulated depreciation	(444,645)	(364,590)
Property and equipment, net	3,396,295	1,643,589	1,444,177
Construction-in-process
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	69,505	68,188
Computer equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	9,235	5,381
Locomotives and rail cars
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	458,404	265,167
Vehicles and mobile equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	38,226	31,460
Signals and crossing equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	30,564	27,813
Track equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	17,853	9,868
Other equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	22,673	20,206
Total Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	576,955	359,895
Land and land improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	562,432	147,176
Buildings and leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	90,149	60,362
Bridges/tunnels/culverts
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	531,388	224,227
Track property
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	2,010,511	1,148,331
Total Property
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	$ 3,194,480	$ 1,580,096