Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
OPERATING REVENUES	$ 2,001,527	$ 2,000,401	$ 1,639,012
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Labor and benefits	633,114	614,967	469,503
Equipment rents	159,372	149,825	82,730
Purchased services	198,046	186,905	100,108
Depreciation and amortization	205,188	188,535	157,081
Diesel fuel used in train operations	118,203	132,149	149,047
Electricity used in train operations	13,346	13,714	1,058
Casualties and insurance	38,884	42,494	41,552
Materials	82,522	95,248	78,366
Trackage rights	87,194	78,140	53,783
Net loss/(gain) on sale and impairment of assets	32,484	(2,291)	(5,100)
Restructuring costs	8,182	0	0
Other expenses	135,380	116,454	89,313
Total operating expenses	1,711,915	1,616,140	1,217,441
OPERATING INCOME	289,612	384,261	421,571
Interest income	1,107	481	1,445
Interest expense	(75,641)	(67,073)	(56,162)
Loss on settlement of foreign currency forward purchase contracts	0	(18,686)	0
Other income, net	413	1,948	1,259
Income before income taxes	215,491	300,931	368,113
Provision for income taxes	(74,395)	(75,894)	(107,107)
Net income	141,096	225,037	261,006
Net (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(41)	0	251
Net income attributable to Genesee & Wyoming Inc.	$ 141,137	$ 225,037	$ 260,755
Basic earnings per common share attributable to Genesee & Wyoming Inc. common stockholders: (US$ per share)	$ 2.46	$ 3.97	$ 4.71
Weighted average shares—Basic	57,324	56,734	55,305
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Genesee & Wyoming Inc. common stockholders: (US$ per share)	$ 2.42	$ 3.89	$ 4.58
Weighted average shares—Diluted	58,256	57,848	56,972