Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
NET INCOME	$ 272,091,000	$ 52,433,000	$ 119,484,000
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)/INCOME:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(62,532,000)	5,451,000	(3,511,000)
Net unrealized income on qualifying cash flow hedges, net of tax provision of $13,992, $2,702 and $759, respectively	20,988,000	4,053,000	1,334,000
Changes in pension and other postretirement benefit, net of tax provision/(benefit) of $208, ($72) and ($24), respectively	362,000	(128,000)	(42,000)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income	(41,182,000)	9,376,000	(2,219,000)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	230,909,000	61,809,000	117,265,000
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	795,000	0	0
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO GENESEE & WYOMING INC.	$ 230,114,000	$ 61,809,000	$ 117,265,000