Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total USD ($)	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, 2013	$ 456,827		$ 259,864	$ 174,842	$ (6,504)	$ 428,202	$ 28,625
Beginning balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2013		28,084,000
Net earnings	43,550			30,975		30,975	12,575
Other comprehensive income, net	4,753				4,692	4,692	61
Noncontrolling interest adjustments	2,439						2,439
Investment by joint venture partner	419						419
Joint venture partner distribution declared	(3,109)						(3,109)
Restricted stock awards (net of cancellations) (in shares)		12,000
Restricted stock awards (net of cancellations)	458		458			458
Unamortized restricted stock	(458)		(458)			(458)
Restricted stock amortization	2,862		2,862			2,862
Excess tax benefit from restricted stock awards	110		110			110
Repurchase of stock	(10,272)		(10,272)			(10,272)
Repurchase of stock, shares		(289,000)
Ending Balance at Feb. 28, 2014	497,579		252,564	205,817	(1,812)	456,569	41,010
Ending Balance (in shares) at Feb. 28, 2014		27,807,000
Beginning balance at Aug. 31, 2014	573,721		235,763	282,559	(6,932)	511,390	62,331
Beginning balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2014	27,364,000	27,364,000
Net earnings	97,028			83,137		83,137	13,891
Other comprehensive income, net	(9,128)				(8,993)	(8,993)	(135)
Noncontrolling interest adjustments	21,824						21,824
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(80)						(80)
Joint venture partner distribution declared	(4,565)						(4,565)
Restricted stock awards (net of cancellations) (in shares)		(82,000)
Restricted stock awards (net of cancellations)	(1,298)		(1,298)			(1,298)
Unamortized restricted stock	1,298		1,298			1,298
Restricted stock amortization	7,193		7,193			7,193
Excess tax benefit from restricted stock awards	3,858		3,858			3,858
Conversion of convertible notes (in shares)		1,000
Conversion of convertible notes	25		25			25
Cash dividends	(8,173)			(8,173)		(8,173)
Repurchase of stock	(46,946)		(46,946)			(46,946)
Repurchase of stock, shares		(863,000)
Ending Balance at Feb. 28, 2015	$ 634,757		$ 199,893	$ 357,523	$ (15,925)	$ 541,491	$ 93,266
Ending Balance (in shares) at Feb. 28, 2015	26,420,000	26,420,000