Review of Operations by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Operations by segment
Total revenues	$ 408,038	$ 372,541
Operating income from continuing operations	36,541	28,607
Interest income	498	512
Interest expense	(9,583)	(11,653)
Defined benefit pension income (expense)	(839)	699
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	28,295	16,767
Depreciation and Amortization	33,352	32,228
Capital Expenditures	26,897	16,989
Operating Segments
Operations by segment
Operating income from continuing operations	42,108	34,868
Corporate
Operations by segment
Total revenues	39	34
Operating income from continuing operations	(5,567)	(6,261)
Depreciation and Amortization	1,348	1,471
Capital Expenditures	204	545
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | Operating Segments
Operations by segment
Total revenues	264,723	247,034
Operating income from continuing operations	27,735	25,757
Depreciation and Amortization	29,085	27,880
Capital Expenditures	25,176	15,472
Harsco Industrial Segment | Operating Segments
Operations by segment
Total revenues	83,598	65,885
Operating income from continuing operations	12,421	2,894
Depreciation and Amortization	1,855	1,840
Capital Expenditures	1,087	752
Harsco Rail Segment | Operating Segments
Operations by segment
Total revenues	59,678	59,588
Operating income from continuing operations	1,952	6,217
Depreciation and Amortization	1,064	1,037
Capital Expenditures	$ 430	$ 220