Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2004	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2001	Sep. 30, 2011 Other Discontinued Operations [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Other Discontinued Operations [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Trane [Member]	Mar. 31, 2005 Senior Notes Due in 2015 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2001 Senior Notes Due in 2015 [Member]
Expense for environmental remediation		$ 2.4		$ 7.0
Reserves for environmental matters		73.8		73.8	78.6
Maximum annual inflation rate				2.50%
Minimum annual inflation rate				1.50%
Percentage of non-malignant claims, minimum					90.00%
Settled with majority of insurers									95.00%
Dresser Rand Incentive Plan, Cash Paid to Employees	23.5
Incentive Plan Dispute, Loss Contingency, Loss In Period			21				4	25
Incentive Plan Dispute, Amount Accrued In Period			33.5				6.0	39.5
Incentive Plan Dispute, Maximum Potential Damages		95		95
Commitments and performance guarantees		306.6		306.6
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						11.00%					4.75%
Principal amount of senior notes										$ 300.0