Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 29,336	$ 64,772
Accounts receivable, net	263,529	262,949
Materials and supplies	35,793	32,389
Prepaid expenses and other	35,680	33,586
Deferred income tax assets, net	64,046	71,556
Total current assets	428,384	465,252
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net	3,399,604	3,396,295
GOODWILL	637,006	634,953
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net	662,664	670,206
DEFERRED INCOME TAX ASSETS, net	2,676	2,396
OTHER ASSETS, net	62,722	57,013
Total assets	5,193,056	5,226,115
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current portion of long-term debt	86,384	87,569
Accounts payable	215,810	232,121
Accrued expenses	92,613	93,971
Deferred income tax liabilities, net	1,771	3,083
Total current liabilities	396,578	416,744
LONG-TERM DEBT, less current portion	1,705,891	1,770,566
DEFERRED INCOME TAX LIABILITIES, net	823,765	862,734
DEFERRED ITEMS - grants from outside parties	230,038	228,579
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	46,427	47,506
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	0	0
SERIES A-1 PREFERRED STOCK	0	399,524
EQUITY:
Additional paid-in capital	1,283,901	866,609
Retained earnings	870,151	789,727
Accumulated other comprehensive income	46,460	47,271
Treasury stock, at cost	(216,503)	(209,266)
Total Genesee & Wyoming Inc. stockholders' equity	1,984,667	1,494,937
Noncontrolling interest	5,690	5,525
Total equity	1,990,357	1,500,462
Total liabilities and equity	5,193,056	5,226,115
Class A common shares [Member]
EQUITY:
Common stock	641	579
Class B common shares [Member]
EQUITY:
Common stock	$ 17	$ 17