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Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
6 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2015
Feb. 28, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net earnings (loss) $ 97,028us-gaap_ProfitLoss $ 43,550us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:    
Deferred income taxes (3,245)us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit (1,448)us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Depreciation and amortization 22,398us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization 20,753us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
Net gain on disposition of equipment (204)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfOtherAssets (9,067)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfOtherAssets
Stock based compensation expense 7,193us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation 2,862us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
Noncontrolling interest adjustments 21,824us-gaap_MinorityInterestPeriodIncreaseDecrease 2,439us-gaap_MinorityInterestPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Other 549us-gaap_OtherOperatingActivitiesCashFlowStatement 329us-gaap_OtherOperatingActivitiesCashFlowStatement
Decrease (increase) in assets:    
Accounts receivable, net (6,256)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable 6,900us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable
Inventories (116,432)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories 9,147us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories
Leased railcars for syndication (75,564)gbx_IncreaseDecreaseInLeasedRailcarsForSyndication (13,603)gbx_IncreaseDecreaseInLeasedRailcarsForSyndication
Other (355)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets 68us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 37,521us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities (487)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities
Deferred revenue 7,750us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredRevenue 5,377us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredRevenue
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (7,793)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations 66,820us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations
Cash flows from investing activities:    
Proceeds from sales of assets 3,019us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment 28,671us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
Capital expenditures (53,856)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets (16,529)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
Investment in and net advances to unconsolidated affiliates (5,715)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates (1,253)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash 418us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCash (157)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCash
Other 467us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (55,667)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperations 10,732us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperations
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Net changes in revolving notes with maturities of 90 days or less 53,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebtMaturingInThreeMonthsOrLess  
Proceeds from revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days 42,563us-gaap_ProceedsFromShortTermDebtMaturingInMoreThanThreeMonths 31,738us-gaap_ProceedsFromShortTermDebtMaturingInMoreThanThreeMonths
Repayment of revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days (18,081)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfShortTermDebtMaturingInMoreThanThreeMonths (53,209)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfShortTermDebtMaturingInMoreThanThreeMonths
Repayments of notes payable (3,740)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfNotesPayable (2,462)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfNotesPayable
Decrease in restricted cash 11,000gbx_IncreaseDecreaseinRestrictedCashFinancingActivities  
Repurchase of stock (46,946)us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock (8,889)us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock
Dividends (8,016)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends  
Investment by joint venture partner   419gbx_ProceedsFromInvestmentsByJointVenturePartner
Cash distribution to joint venture partner (4,422)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDistributionsToAffiliates (1,604)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDistributionsToAffiliates
Excess tax benefit from restricted stock awards 3,858us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationFinancingActivities 110us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationFinancingActivities
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 29,216us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperations (33,897)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperations
Effect of exchange rate changes (5,160)us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents 2,839us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (39,404)us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease 46,494us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Beginning of period 184,916us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue 97,435us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
End of period 145,512us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue 143,929us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
Parent    
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net earnings (loss) 83,137us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
30,975us-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 2,846us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
296us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Depreciation and amortization 955us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
965us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Stock based compensation expense 7,193us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
2,862us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Other 43us-gaap_OtherOperatingActivitiesCashFlowStatement
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
 
Decrease (increase) in assets:    
Accounts receivable, net (19)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
36,804us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Other 1,542us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
(1,466)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 25,397us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
(19,558)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Deferred revenue   (78)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredRevenue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 121,094us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
50,800us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Cash flows from investing activities:    
Capital expenditures (4,618)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
(2,902)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Investment in and net advances to unconsolidated affiliates (163,337)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
(46,396)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Other 467us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (167,488)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
(49,298)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 53,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebtMaturingInThreeMonthsOrLess
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
 
Repayments of notes payable (5)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfNotesPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
 
Intercompany advances (20,716)gbx_PaymentsForProceedsFromIntercompanyAdvancesFromFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
55,783gbx_PaymentsForProceedsFromIntercompanyAdvancesFromFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Repurchase of stock (46,946)us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
(8,889)us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Dividends (8,016)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
 
Excess tax benefit from restricted stock awards 3,858us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
110us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (18,825)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
47,004us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (65,219)us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
48,506us-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 84,528us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
111,679us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries    
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net earnings (loss) 98,541us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
35,005us-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 (8,417)us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(1,189)us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Depreciation and amortization 13,179us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
14,113us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Net gain on disposition of equipment (203)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfOtherAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(8,145)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfOtherAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Other 6us-gaap_OtherOperatingActivitiesCashFlowStatement
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
313us-gaap_OtherOperatingActivitiesCashFlowStatement
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Decrease (increase) in assets:    
Accounts receivable, net 19,260us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(76,172)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Inventories (16,186)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
20,361us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Leased railcars for syndication (96,990)gbx_IncreaseDecreaseInLeasedRailcarsForSyndication
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(16,040)gbx_IncreaseDecreaseInLeasedRailcarsForSyndication
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Other 1,726us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
2,160us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (16,725)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
62,844us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Deferred revenue 8,171us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredRevenue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
4,697us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredRevenue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 2,362us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
37,947us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Cash flows from investing activities:    
Proceeds from sales of assets 3,019us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
27,897us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Capital expenditures (14,709)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(5,101)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Investment in and net advances to unconsolidated affiliates (15,760)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(2,552)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash 419us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCash
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(156)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCash
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (27,031)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
20,088us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Repayments of notes payable (3,516)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfNotesPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(2,041)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfNotesPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Intercompany advances 21,269gbx_PaymentsForProceedsFromIntercompanyAdvancesFromFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(56,474)gbx_PaymentsForProceedsFromIntercompanyAdvancesFromFinancingActivities
/ 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 28,753us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(58,515)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Effect of exchange rate changes (1,867)us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
488us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 2,217us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
8us-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 2,329us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
33us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries    
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net earnings (loss) 89,628us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
29,365us-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 2,326us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(555)us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Depreciation and amortization 8,312us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
5,717us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Net gain on disposition of equipment   (615)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfOtherAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Other 501us-gaap_OtherOperatingActivitiesCashFlowStatement
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
17us-gaap_OtherOperatingActivitiesCashFlowStatement
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Decrease (increase) in assets:    
Accounts receivable, net 7,687us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
14,061us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Inventories (100,168)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(11,244)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Other (6,347)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(557)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 41,013us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(9,923)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Deferred revenue (421)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredRevenue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
755us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredRevenue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 42,531us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
27,021us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Cash flows from investing activities:    
Proceeds from sales of assets   774us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Capital expenditures (34,927)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(8,526)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Investment in and net advances to unconsolidated affiliates   (1,253)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash (1)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCash
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(1)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCash
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (34,928)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(9,006)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Proceeds from revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days 42,563us-gaap_ProceedsFromShortTermDebtMaturingInMoreThanThreeMonths
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
31,738us-gaap_ProceedsFromShortTermDebtMaturingInMoreThanThreeMonths
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Repayment of revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days (18,081)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfShortTermDebtMaturingInMoreThanThreeMonths
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(53,209)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfShortTermDebtMaturingInMoreThanThreeMonths
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Repayments of notes payable (219)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfNotesPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(421)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfNotesPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Intercompany advances (553)gbx_PaymentsForProceedsFromIntercompanyAdvancesFromFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
691gbx_PaymentsForProceedsFromIntercompanyAdvancesFromFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Investment by joint venture partner   419gbx_ProceedsFromInvestmentsByJointVenturePartner
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Cash distribution to joint venture partner (4,422)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDistributionsToAffiliates
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(1,604)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDistributionsToAffiliates
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 19,288us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(22,386)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Effect of exchange rate changes (3,293)us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
2,351us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 23,598us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(2,020)us-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 58,655us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
32,217us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Eliminations    
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net earnings (loss) (174,278)us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
(51,795)us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:    
Depreciation and amortization (48)us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
(42)us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Net gain on disposition of equipment (1)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfOtherAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
(307)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfOtherAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Noncontrolling interest adjustments 21,824us-gaap_MinorityInterestPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
2,439us-gaap_MinorityInterestPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Other (1)us-gaap_OtherOperatingActivitiesCashFlowStatement
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
(1)us-gaap_OtherOperatingActivitiesCashFlowStatement
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Decrease (increase) in assets:    
Accounts receivable, net (33,184)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
32,207us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Inventories (78)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
30us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Leased railcars for syndication 21,426gbx_IncreaseDecreaseInLeasedRailcarsForSyndication
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
2,437gbx_IncreaseDecreaseInLeasedRailcarsForSyndication
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Other 2,724us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
(69)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (12,164)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
(33,850)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Deferred revenue   3us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredRevenue
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (173,780)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
(48,948)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Cash flows from investing activities:    
Capital expenditures 398us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
 
Investment in and net advances to unconsolidated affiliates 173,382us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
48,948us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities $ 173,780us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
$ 48,948us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember