Other Events and Transactions (Discontinued Operation Results) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income tax expense		$ 236		$ 2,655
Income from discontinued operations	$ 0	5,067	$ 0	1,381
Spinoff | HBBHC
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Revenues		181,713		474,971
Cost of goods sold		133,586		353,436
Gross profit		48,127		121,535
Operating expenses		40,697		114,379
Operating profit		7,430		7,156
Interest expense		423		1,300
Other expense (income), net		40		(939)
Income before income taxes		6,967		6,795
Income tax expense		2,708		2,655
HBBHC net income		4,259		4,140
NACCO expenses related to the spin-off		1,664		2,759
NACCO discontinued operations income tax benefit adjustment		(2,472)		0
Income from discontinued operations		$ 5,067		$ 1,381