Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of Stockholders Equity [Table Text Block]

The following tables reconciles the beginning and end of the period equity balance attributable to Genesee & Wyoming Inc. and to noncontrolling interest (dollars in thousands):

	Genesee & Wyoming Inc. Stockholders' Equity			Noncontrolling Interest			Total Equity
Balance, December 31, 2017	$	3,650,466		$	245,626		$	3,896,092
Net income	75,098			927			76,025
Other comprehensive income	10,345			(4,018		)	6,327
Value of shares repurchased under repurchase plan - 792,921 shares	(57,376		)	—			(57,376		)
Other	2,307			1			2,308
Balance, March 31, 2018	$	3,680,840		$	242,536		$	3,923,376

	Genesee & Wyoming Inc. Stockholders' Equity		Noncontrolling Interest			Total Equity
Balance, December 31, 2016	$	2,966,514	$	220,607		$	3,187,121
Net income	26,238		1,051			27,289
Other comprehensive income	23,831		12,035			35,866
Other	3,601		(32		)	3,569
Balance, March 31, 2017	$	3,020,184	$	233,661		$	3,253,845