Earnings Per Common Share Basic and Diluted EPS (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ 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
Numerators: [Abstract]
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
Denominators: [Abstract]
Weighted average Class A common shares outstanding-Basic									57,324	56,734	55,305
Weighted average Class B common shares outstanding									790	884	1,305
Dilutive effect of employee stock-based awards									142	230	362
Weighted average shares—Diluted									58,256	57,848	56,972
Earnings per common share attributable to Genesee & Wyoming Inc. common stockholders:
Basic earnings per common share attributable to Genesee & Wyoming Inc. common stockholders: (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 Genesee & Wyoming Inc. common stockholders: (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