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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001288609-05-000010.txt : 20050429
<SEC-HEADER>0001288609-05-000010.hdr.sgml : 20050429
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050429170808
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001288609-05-000010
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4/A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050325
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050429
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050429

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GATX CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000040211
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TRANSPORTATION SERVICES [4700]
		IRS NUMBER:				361124040
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		500 W MONROE ST
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60661
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3126216200

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	GENERAL AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19750722

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Scott S Yvonne
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001288609

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4/A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-02328
		FILM NUMBER:		05787099

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(312) 621-6409

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		500 WEST MONROE STREET
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60661
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4/A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-03-25</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2005-03-29</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000040211</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GATX CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GMT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001288609</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Scott S Yvonne</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>500 WEST MONROE STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60661</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP and CIO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>2005 NQ Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>32.645</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-03-25</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2006-03-25</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-03-25</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">On March 29, 2005 the reporting person filed a Form 4 reporting the receipt of Stock-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights (&quot;SARs&quot;). In approving the grant of SARs the Compensation Committee of the GATX Corporation Board of Directors was cognizant of the possibility that the implementation date of Financial Accounting Standards Number 123R (share based payment) may be delayed. Accordingly, the SAR grant allowed the Company under such circumstances to replace the SARs with an equal number of non-qualified stock options with all terms, including the exercise price, vesting and expiration dates thereof, identical to the replaced SARs. On April 14, 2005 the SEC announced the adoption of a new rule which amended the compliance date for FAS 123R. Accordingly, the previously reported SARs have been replaced with an equal number of non-qualified stock options.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">50% of option granted may be exercised commencing 1 year from the date of the grant, an additional 25% commencing 2 years from the date of the grant and the remaining 25% commencing 3 years from the date of the grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Lisa M. Ibarra, by Power of Attorney on behalf of S. Yvonne Scott</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-04-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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