XML 46 R59.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2014
Nov. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net earnings (loss) $ 35,982us-gaap_ProfitLoss $ 22,997us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:    
Deferred income taxes 607us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit 286us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Depreciation and amortization 12,050us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization 10,897us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
Net gain on disposition of equipment (83)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfOtherAssets (3,651)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfOtherAssets
Stock based compensation expense 3,411us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation 1,359us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
Noncontrolling interest adjustments 12,952us-gaap_MinorityInterestPeriodIncreaseDecrease 169us-gaap_MinorityInterestPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Other 152us-gaap_OtherOperatingActivitiesCashFlowStatement 358us-gaap_OtherOperatingActivitiesCashFlowStatement
Decrease (increase) in assets:    
Accounts receivable, net 7,806us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable (19,305)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable
Inventories (67,642)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories (13,178)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories
Leased railcars for syndication (54,732)gbx_IncreaseDecreaseInLeasedRailcarsForSyndication 9,853gbx_IncreaseDecreaseInLeasedRailcarsForSyndication
Other 2,211us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets 2,069us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (13,032)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities (25,137)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities
Deferred revenue 6,488us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredRevenue (172)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredRevenue
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (53,830)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations (13,455)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations
Cash flows from investing activities:    
Proceeds from sales of assets 2,073us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment 14,051us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
Capital expenditures (31,314)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets (6,542)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash (30)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCash (168)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCash
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates (2,500)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates (1,253)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (31,771)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperations 6,088us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperations
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Net changes in revolving notes with maturities of 90 days or less 15,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebtMaturingInThreeMonthsOrLess  
Proceeds from revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days 23,056us-gaap_ProceedsFromShortTermDebtMaturingInMoreThanThreeMonths 7,474us-gaap_ProceedsFromShortTermDebtMaturingInMoreThanThreeMonths
Repayment of revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days (4,610)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfShortTermDebtMaturingInMoreThanThreeMonths (16,878)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfShortTermDebtMaturingInMoreThanThreeMonths
Repayments of notes payable (1,758)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfNotesPayable (1,223)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfNotesPayable
Decrease in restricted cash 11,000gbx_IncreaseDecreaseinRestrictedCashFinancingActivities  
Investment by joint venture partner   419gbx_ProceedsFromInvestmentsByJointVenturePartner
Cash distribution to joint venture partner (2,275)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDistributionsToAffiliates  
Excess tax benefit from restricted stock awards 2,970us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationFinancingActivities 152us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationFinancingActivities
Repurchase of stock (21,730)us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock (871)us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 21,653us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperations (10,927)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperations
Effect of exchange rate changes (2,010)us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents 2,085us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (65,958)us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease (16,209)us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Beginning of period 184,916us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue 97,435us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
End of period 118,958us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue 81,226us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
Parent    
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net earnings (loss) 32,786us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
15,388us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:    
Deferred income taxes 8,962us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
4,041us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Depreciation and amortization 455us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
494us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Stock based compensation expense 3,411us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
1,359us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Decrease (increase) in assets:    
Accounts receivable, net (108)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
36,970us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Other 3,259us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
(60)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 27,277us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
(14,200)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Deferred revenue   (39)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredRevenue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 76,042us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
43,953us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Cash flows from investing activities:    
Capital expenditures (839)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
(992)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates (87,576)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
(25,051)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (88,415)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
(26,043)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Net changes in revolving notes with maturities of 90 days or less 15,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebtMaturingInThreeMonthsOrLess
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
 
Intercompany advances (55,267)gbx_PaymentsForProceedsFromIntercompanyAdvancesFromFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
(33,902)gbx_PaymentsForProceedsFromIntercompanyAdvancesFromFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Excess tax benefit from restricted stock awards 2,970us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
152us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Repurchase of stock (21,730)us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
(871)us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (59,027)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
(34,621)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (71,400)us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
(16,711)us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Beginning of period 149,747us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
63,173us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
End of period 78,347us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
46,462us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries    
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net earnings (loss) 38,500us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
15,061us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:    
Deferred income taxes (8,264)us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(2,935)us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Depreciation and amortization 6,618us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
7,519us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Net gain on disposition of equipment (83)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfOtherAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(3,174)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfOtherAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Other   341us-gaap_OtherOperatingActivitiesCashFlowStatement
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Decrease (increase) in assets:    
Accounts receivable, net 25,614us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
91,276us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Inventories (11,166)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(3,997)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Leased railcars for syndication (67,286)gbx_IncreaseDecreaseInLeasedRailcarsForSyndication
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
9,686gbx_IncreaseDecreaseInLeasedRailcarsForSyndication
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Other 977us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
1,742us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (38,790)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(159,156)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Deferred revenue 6,118us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredRevenue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(393)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredRevenue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (47,762)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(44,030)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Cash flows from investing activities:    
Proceeds from sales of assets 2,073us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
13,592us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Capital expenditures (11,845)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(2,608)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash (30)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCash
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(167)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCash
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates (4,675)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(797)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (14,477)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
10,020us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Intercompany advances 55,477gbx_PaymentsForProceedsFromIntercompanyAdvancesFromFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
34,562gbx_PaymentsForProceedsFromIntercompanyAdvancesFromFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Repayments of notes payable (1,758)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfNotesPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(1,021)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfNotesPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Decrease in restricted cash 11,000gbx_IncreaseDecreaseinRestrictedCashFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 64,719us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
33,541us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Effect of exchange rate changes (1,015)us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
515us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 1,465us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
46us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Beginning of period 112us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
25us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
End of period 1,577us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
71us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries    
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net earnings (loss) 38,534us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
16,759us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:    
Deferred income taxes (91)us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(792)us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Depreciation and amortization 5,001us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
2,905us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Net gain on disposition of equipment   (343)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfOtherAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Other 152us-gaap_OtherOperatingActivitiesCashFlowStatement
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
17us-gaap_OtherOperatingActivitiesCashFlowStatement
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Decrease (increase) in assets:    
Accounts receivable, net 15,362us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
7,026us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Inventories (56,454)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(9,189)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Other 475us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
2,060us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 4,686us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(6,231)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Deferred revenue 370us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredRevenue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
258us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredRevenue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 8,035us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
12,470us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Cash flows from investing activities:    
Proceeds from sales of assets   459us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Capital expenditures (19,024)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(2,942)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash   (1)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCash
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates   (1,253)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (19,024)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(3,737)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Proceeds from revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days 23,056us-gaap_ProceedsFromShortTermDebtMaturingInMoreThanThreeMonths
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
7,474us-gaap_ProceedsFromShortTermDebtMaturingInMoreThanThreeMonths
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Repayment of revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days (4,610)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfShortTermDebtMaturingInMoreThanThreeMonths
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(16,878)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfShortTermDebtMaturingInMoreThanThreeMonths
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Intercompany advances (210)gbx_PaymentsForProceedsFromIntercompanyAdvancesFromFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(660)gbx_PaymentsForProceedsFromIntercompanyAdvancesFromFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Repayments of notes payable   (202)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfNotesPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Investment by joint venture partner   419gbx_ProceedsFromInvestmentsByJointVenturePartner
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Cash distribution to joint venture partner (2,275)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDistributionsToAffiliates
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 15,961us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(9,847)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Effect of exchange rate changes (995)us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
1,570us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 3,977us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
456us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Beginning of period 35,057us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
34,237us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
End of period 39,034us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
34,693us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Eliminations    
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net earnings (loss) (73,838)us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
(24,211)us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:    
Deferred income taxes   (28)us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Depreciation and amortization (24)us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
(21)us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Net gain on disposition of equipment   (134)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfOtherAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Noncontrolling interest adjustments 12,952us-gaap_MinorityInterestPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
169us-gaap_MinorityInterestPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Decrease (increase) in assets:    
Accounts receivable, net (33,062)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
(154,577)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Inventories (22)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
8us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Leased railcars for syndication 12,554gbx_IncreaseDecreaseInLeasedRailcarsForSyndication
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
167gbx_IncreaseDecreaseInLeasedRailcarsForSyndication
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Other (2,500)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
(1,673)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (6,205)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
154,450us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Deferred revenue   2us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredRevenue
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (90,145)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
(25,848)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Cash flows from investing activities:    
Capital expenditures 394us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
 
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates 89,751us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
25,848us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities $ 90,145us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
$ 25,848us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember