Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (Form S-8 No. 333-145581, Form S-8 No. 33-41007, and Form S-8 No. 2-92404) pertaining to the GATX Corporation Salaried Employees Retirement Savings Plan of our report dated June 24, 2013, with respect to the financial statements and supplemental schedule of the GATX Corporation Salaried Employees Retirement Savings Plan included in this Annual Report (Form 11-K) for the year ended December 31, 2012.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

June 24, 2013

Chicago, Illinois