XML 125 R51.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Significant Accounting Policies Insurance (Details)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Liability policies [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Property policies [Member]
USD ($)
Oct. 02, 2012
RailAmerica [Member]
Liability policies [Member]
USD ($)
Oct. 02, 2012
RailAmerica [Member]
Property policies [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Australia [Member]
Property policies [Member]
AUD
Supplemental Information for Property, Casualty Insurance Underwriters [Line Items]          
Self-insured retention, maximum per incident $ 2.5gwr_SelfInsuredRetentionMaximumPerIncident
/ gwr_InsuranceTypeAxis
= gwr_LiabilityPoliciesMember
$ 1.0gwr_SelfInsuredRetentionMaximumPerIncident
/ gwr_InsuranceTypeAxis
= gwr_PropertyPoliciesMember
    2.5gwr_SelfInsuredRetentionMaximumPerIncident
/ gwr_InsuranceTypeAxis
= gwr_PropertyPoliciesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_AU
Prior self-insured retention, maximum per incident     $ 4.0gwr_PriorSelfInsuredRetentionMaximumPerIncident
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= gwr_RailamericaMember
/ gwr_InsuranceTypeAxis
= gwr_LiabilityPoliciesMember
$ 1.5gwr_PriorSelfInsuredRetentionMaximumPerIncident
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= gwr_RailamericaMember
/ gwr_InsuranceTypeAxis
= gwr_PropertyPoliciesMember