Equity (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 27, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		$ 3,676.6	$ 3,400.7
Net income		94.0	104.2
Other comprehensive income		0	0.6
Dividends on common stock	(30.9)	(30.9)	(23.6)
Options exercised and stock subscribed, net of shares withheld for employee taxes		(4.2)	(2.2)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation		2.4	2.9
Share-based compensation		1.5	4.6
Ending balance		3,739.3	3,487.1
$25 Par Preferred Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Dividends on $25 par preferred stock		(0.1)	(0.1)
Kansas City Southern Stockholders' Equity [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		3,370.6	3,096.6
Net income		93.7	103.8
Other comprehensive income		0	0.6
Dividends on common stock		(30.9)	(23.6)
Options exercised and stock subscribed, net of shares withheld for employee taxes		(4.2)	(2.2)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation		2.4	2.9
Share-based compensation		1.5	4.6
Ending balance		3,433.0	3,182.6
Kansas City Southern Stockholders' Equity [Member] | $25 Par Preferred Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Dividends on $25 par preferred stock		(0.1)	(0.1)
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		306.0	304.1
Net income		0.3	0.4
Ending balance		$ 306.3	$ 304.5