Segment Information (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 segments	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Lease revenue on railcars	$ 68,124,000	$ 60,700,000	$ 73,575,000
Net book value of leased railcars	197,137,000	168,483,000
Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	6
Grain [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	164,800,000	267,300,000	312,700,000
Rail [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment reporting information purchases	64,200,000	18,400,000	25,000,000
Percentage of cumulative convertible preferred shares acquired		100.00%
Amount of cumulative convertible preferred shares acquired		13,100,000
Canada [Member] | Rail [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	13,300,000	9,100,000	12,400,000
Mexico [Member] | Rail [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Lease revenue on railcars	400,000	300,000	300,000
Railcar [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net book value of leased railcars	$ 29,000,000	$ 22,000,000