Property and Equipment and Leases Leases (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Leased railcars	17,718	18,311
Leased locomotives	100	182
Revenues from leased railroads as a percentage of total operating revenues	9.00%
Revenues from leased railroads set to expire in each of the next 10 years as a percentage of annual total operating revenues	2.00%
Equipment [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating lease expense	$ 32,050	$ 13,386	$ 19,328
Real property [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating lease expense	8,062	5,055	4,632
Trackage rights [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating lease expense	$ 50,911	$ 28,250	$ 23,066
RailAmerica [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Leased railcars		8,004
Leased locomotives		175