Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
OPERATING REVENUES	$ 2,348,550	$ 2,208,044	$ 2,001,527
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Labor and benefits	709,735	666,765	636,364
Equipment rents	138,207	132,903	159,372
Purchased services	234,903	244,119	198,046
Depreciation and amortization	263,216	250,457	205,188
Diesel fuel used in train operations	184,437	147,427	118,203
Electricity used in train operations	9,603	7,521	13,346
Casualties and insurance	45,534	46,993	38,884
Materials	129,081	107,519	82,522
Trackage rights	87,743	87,490	87,194
Net (gain)/loss on sale and impairment of assets	(3,246)	4,254	32,484
Restructuring and related costs	15,088	10,160	8,182
Other expenses	110,737	110,455	135,380
Total operating expenses	1,925,038	1,816,063	1,715,165
OPERATING INCOME	423,512	391,981	286,362
Interest income	3,256	2,082	1,107
Interest expense	(107,719)	(107,291)	(75,641)
Other (loss)/income, net	(188)	8,747	3,663
Income before income taxes	318,861	295,519	215,491
(Provision for)/benefit from income taxes	(64,535)	261,259	(74,395)
Net income	254,326	556,778	141,096
Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	9,908	7,727	(41)
Net income attributable to Genesee & Wyoming Inc.	$ 244,418	$ 549,051	$ 141,137
Basic earnings per common share attributable to Genesee & Wyoming Inc. common stockholders: (US$ per share)	$ 4.09	$ 8.92	$ 2.46
Weighted average shares—Basic	59,745	61,579	57,324
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Genesee & Wyoming Inc. common stockholders: (US$ per share)	$ 4.03	$ 8.79	$ 2.42
Weighted average shares—Diluted	60,628	62,464	58,256