Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 61,170	$ 8,387	$ 8,331
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Deferred income taxes	11,617	2,399	15,052
Depreciation and amortization	42,371	38,293	37,511
Gain on sales of leased equipment	(8,964)	(5,121)	(6,543)
Accretion of debt discount	3,259	6,583	8,149
Special items			(11,870)
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt (non-cash portion)		8,453	(2,070)
Other	13,662	6,762	4,237
Decrease (increase) in assets:
Accounts receivable	37,763	(96,552)	22,430
Inventories	3,709	(116,866)	(45,212)
Leased railcars for syndication	(76,071)	(20,839)	759
Other		8,863	6,455
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	16,236	130,673	12,777
Deferred revenue	11,304	(5,287)	(7,445)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	116,056	(34,252)	42,561
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of equipment	33,560	18,730	22,978
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	(506)	(2,330)	(927)
Contract placement fee			(6,050)
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	(4,164)	412	(1,442)
Capital expenditures	(117,885)	(84,302)	(38,989)
Other	48	(1,774)	260
Net cash provided by (used in) investing Activities	(88,947)	(69,264)	(24,170)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net changes in revolving notes with maturities of 90 days or less	(57,302)	71,625	(11,934)
Proceeds from revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days	63,773	25,159	5,698
Repayments of revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days	(33,934)	(10,000)	(5,698)
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable	2,750	231,250	2,149
Debt issuance costs		(11,469)	(109)
Repayments of notes payable	(7,070)	(311,360)	(38,267)
Proceeds from equity offering		63,180	56,250
Expenses from equity offering		(420)	(3,542)
Excess tax benefit from restricted stock awards	1,627
Investment by joint venture partner	1,362
Other		26	29
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(28,794)	57,991	4,576
Effect of exchange rate changes	5,034	(3,117)	(290)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	3,349	(48,642)	22,677
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period	50,222	98,864	76,187
End of period	53,571	50,222	98,864
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	12,737	27,872	29,409
Income taxes, net	8,601	677	(14,953)
Non-cash activity
Transfer of leased railcars for syndication to equipment on operating leases	8,963
Transfer of other assets to property, plant and equipment			$ 708