Consolidated Statements of Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Thousands	Total USD ($)	Common Stock Shares	Additional Paid-in Capital USD ($)	Retained Earnings USD ($)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) USD ($)	Total Attributable to Greenbrier USD ($)	Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest USD ($)
Balance at Aug. 31, 2010	$ 297,407		$ 172,426	$ 120,716	$ (7,204)	$ 285,938	$ 11,469
Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2010		21,875
Net earnings (loss)	(5,150)			(6,169)		(6,169)	1,019
Translation adjustment	3,521				3,521	3,521
Reclassification of derivative financial instruments recognized in net earnings (loss) (net of tax effect)	(215)				(215)	(215)
Unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments (net of tax effect)	634				634	634
Comprehensive income (loss)	(1,210)					(2,229)	1,019
Noncontrolling interest adjustments	31						31
Net proceeds from equity offering (in shares)		3,000
Net proceeds from equity offering	62,760		62,760			62,760
Restricted stock awards (net of cancellations) (in shares)		278
Restricted stock awards (net of cancellations)	6,593		6,593			6,593
Unamortized restricted stock	(6,593)		(6,593)			(6,593)
Restricted stock amortization	4,961		4,961			4,961
Stock options exercised (in shares)		6
Stock options exercised	26		26			26
Balance at May. 31, 2011	363,975		240,173	114,547	(3,264)	351,546	12,519
Balance (in shares) at May. 31, 2011		25,159
Balance at Aug. 31, 2011	375,901		242,286	127,182	(7,895)	361,573	14,328
Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2011		25,186
Net earnings (loss)	51,307			51,303		51,303	4
Translation adjustment	(6,084)				(5,912)	(5,912)	(172)
Reclassification of derivative financial instruments recognized in net earnings (loss) (net of tax effect)	(4,168)				(4,168)	(4,168)
Unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments (net of tax effect)	6,342				6,342	6,342
Comprehensive income (loss)	47,397					47,565	(168)
Investment by joint venture partner	410						410
Noncontrolling interest adjustments	2,796						2,796
Restricted stock awards (net of cancellations) (in shares)		467
Restricted stock awards (net of cancellations)	9,364		9,364			9,364
Unamortized restricted stock	(9,364)		(9,364)			(9,364)
Restricted stock amortization	6,353		6,353			6,353
Warrants exercised		1,496
Excess tax benefit from restricted stock awards	2,670		2,670			2,670
Balance at May. 31, 2012	$ 435,527		$ 251,309	$ 178,485	$ (11,633)	$ 418,161	$ 17,366
Balance (in shares) at May. 31, 2012		27,149