Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ 51,307	$ (5,150)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Deferred income taxes	4,801	(5,276)
Depreciation and amortization	30,603	28,174
Gain on sales of leased equipment	(8,897)	(2,901)
Accretion of debt discount	2,416	5,446
Stock based compensation expense	6,724	4,961
Loss on extinguishment of debt (non-cash portion)		2,868
Other	3,586	91
Decrease (increase) in assets:
Accounts receivable	10,429	(51,427)
Inventories	(26,748)	(83,293)
Leased railcars for syndication	(43,561)	(48,465)
Other	(1,419)	5,834
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	12,401	77,273
Deferred revenue	11,991	(5,442)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	53,633	(77,307)
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from sales of equipment	33,253	14,179
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	(544)	(979)
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	(3,976)	308
Capital expenditures	(72,117)	(59,689)
Other	35	52
Net cash used in investing activities	(43,349)	(46,129)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net change in revolving notes with maturities of 90 days or less	(49,114)	3,694
Proceeds from revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days	56,644	13,373
Repayments of revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days	(23,573)	(6,194)
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable	2,500	231,250
Debt issuance costs		(7,857)
Repayments of notes payable	(6,028)	(238,569)
Gross proceeds from equity offering		63,180
Excess tax benefit from restricted stock awards	2,670
Investment by joint venture partner	410
Expenses from equity offering		(420)
Other		26
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(16,491)	58,483
Effect of exchange rate changes	900	391
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(5,307)	(64,562)
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period	50,222	98,864
End of period	44,915	34,302
Cash paid during the period for
Interest	10,817	25,850
Income taxes, net	$ 4,013	$ 866