Quarterly Financial Data Table of Quarterly Results (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Operating revenues	$ 516,534	$ 501,002	$ 501,375	$ 482,616	$ 514,853	$ 546,299	$ 542,219	$ 397,030
Operating Income	53,571	91,851	87,194	56,996	94,631	117,559	99,451	72,620	$ 289,612	$ 384,261	$ 421,571
Net income attributable to Genesee & Wyoming Inc.	$ 8,934	$ 56,785	$ 48,399	$ 27,019	$ 84,934	$ 63,362	$ 52,837	$ 23,904	$ 141,137	$ 225,037	$ 260,755
Basic earnings per common share attributable to G&W: (US$ per share)	$ 0.15	$ 0.99	$ 0.85	$ 0.47	$ 1.49	$ 1.12	$ 0.94	$ 0.43	$ 2.46	$ 3.97	$ 4.71
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to G&W: (US$ per share)	$ 0.15	$ 0.98	$ 0.83	$ 0.47	$ 1.47	$ 1.10	$ 0.92	$ 0.42	$ 2.42	$ 3.89	$ 4.58