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 ($)
Balance at Aug. 31, 2012	$ 453,645		$ 252,256	$ 185,890	$ (6,369)	$ 431,777	$ 21,868
Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2012		27,143
Net earnings	12,561			10,427		10,427	2,134
Other comprehensive income, 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
Balance at Nov. 30, 2012	470,504		254,359	196,317	(3,596)	447,080	23,424
Balance (in shares) at Nov. 30, 2012		27,195
Balance at Aug. 31, 2013	456,827		259,864	174,842	(6,504)	428,202	28,625
Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2013		28,084
Net earnings	22,997			15,388		15,388	7,609
Other comprehensive income, net	3,410				3,369	3,369	41
Noncontrolling interest adjustments	169						169
Investment by joint venture partner	419						419
Joint venture partner distribution declared	(1,603)						(1,603)
Restricted stock cancellations, shares		(13)
Restricted stock cancellations	(376)		(376)			(376)
Unamortized restricted stock	376		376			376
Restricted stock amortization	1,359		1,359			1,359
Excess tax benefit from restricted stock awards	152		152			152
Repurchase of stock, shares		(28)
Repurchase of stock	(871)		(871)			(871)
Balance at Nov. 30, 2013	$ 482,859		$ 260,504	$ 190,230	$ (3,135)	$ 447,599	$ 35,260
Balance (in shares) at Nov. 30, 2013		28,043