Consolidated Statements of Equity (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 ($)
Beginning Balance at Aug. 31, 2011	$ 375,901		$ 242,286	$ 127,182	$ (7,895)	$ 361,573	$ 14,328
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2011		25,186
Net earnings	13,328			14,517		14,517	(1,189)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	(9,451)				(9,304)	(9,304)	(147)
Noncontrolling interest adjustments	1,420						1,420
Restricted stock amortization	1,742		1,742			1,742
Warrants exercised		1,483
Ending Balance at Nov. 30, 2011	382,940		244,028	141,699	(17,199)	368,528	14,412
Ending Balance (in shares) at Nov. 30, 2011		26,669
Beginning Balance at Aug. 31, 2012	453,645		252,256	185,890	(6,369)	431,777	21,868
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2012		27,143
Net earnings	12,561			10,427		10,427	2,134
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	2,818				2,773	2,773	45
Noncontrolling interest adjustments	(1,805)						(1,805)
Investment by joint venture partner	1,182						1,182
Restricted stock amortization	1,886		1,886			1,886
Excess tax benefit from restricted stock awards	217		217			217
Warrants exercised		52
Ending Balance at Nov. 30, 2012	$ 470,504		$ 254,359	$ 196,317	$ (3,596)	$ 447,080	$ 23,424
Ending Balance (in shares) at Nov. 30, 2012		27,195