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Changes in Operations U.K./Europe Optimization Restructuring Reserve Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		18 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related costs incurred	$ 3,561	$ 3,286	$ 18,756	$ 12,931
U.K. Operations Optimization [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related liabilities - beginning balance			5,076
Restructuring and related costs incurred	3,238		15,517		$ 30,501
Cash payments			(14,609)
Non-cash settlements			0
Restructuring and related liabilities - ending balance	5,984		5,984		5,984
Rationalization of locomotive and railcar fleet [Member] \| U.K. Operations Optimization [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related liabilities - beginning balance			4,094
Restructuring and related costs incurred	0		0		6,301
Cash payments			(1,394)
Non-cash settlements			0
Restructuring and related liabilities - ending balance	2,700		2,700		2,700
Management restructuring [Member] \| U.K. Operations Optimization [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related liabilities - beginning balance			982
Restructuring and related costs incurred	1,240		10,381		15,021
Cash payments			(8,079)
Non-cash settlements			0
Restructuring and related liabilities - ending balance	3,284		3,284		3,284
Productivity and automation investments [Member] \| U.K. Operations Optimization [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related liabilities - beginning balance			0
Restructuring and related costs incurred	1,998		5,136		9,179
Cash payments			(5,136)
Non-cash settlements			0
Restructuring and related liabilities - ending balance	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0