Changes in Operations (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Changes in Operations [Abstract]

Schedule of Business Combination Consideration [Table Text Block]

The calculation of the total consideration for the RailAmerica acquisition is presented below (dollars in thousands, except per share amount):

RailAmerica outstanding common stock as of October 1, 2012	49,934
Cash purchase price per share	$	27.50
Equity purchase price	$	1,373,184
Payment of RailAmerica's outstanding term loan and revolving credit facility	659,198
Cash consideration	2,032,382
Impact of pre-acquisition share-based awards	9,400
Total consideration	$	2,041,782

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]

The following pro forma financial results do not include the impact of any potential operating efficiencies, savings from expected synergies, costs to integrate the operations or costs necessary to achieve savings from expected synergies or the impact of derivative instruments that the Company has entered into or may enter into to mitigate interest rate or currency exchange rate risk (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2012
Operating revenues	$	346,975
Net loss attributable to Genesee & Wyoming Inc.	$	(18,854	)
Less: Series A-1 Preferred Stock dividend	4,375
Net loss available to common stockholders	$	(23,229	)
Loss per common share attributable to Genesee & Wyoming Inc. common stockholders:
Basic loss per common share from continuing operations	$	(0.49	)
Diluted loss per share from continuing operations	$	(0.49	)