Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2018	Feb. 28, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities
Net earnings	$ 98,666	$ 96,967
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Deferred income taxes	(35,080)	2,272
Depreciation and amortization	36,454	30,580
Net gain on disposition of equipment	(24,988)	(3,212)
Accretion of debt discount	2,060	330
Stock based compensation expense	12,574	10,854
Noncontrolling interest adjustments	(2,555)	(3,255)
Other	958	548
Decrease (increase) in assets:
Accounts receivable, net	(25,681)	(67,271)
Inventories	(10,211)	(17,673)
Leased railcars for syndication	(74,129)	37,903
Other	10,434	5,550
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	46,434	1,718
Deferred revenue	(42,589)	(10,468)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(7,653)	84,843
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from sales of assets	105,142	19,898
Capital expenditures	(53,503)	(21,194)
Decrease in restricted cash	17	15,583
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	(17,739)	(550)
Other	1,207	550
Net cash provided by investing activities	35,124	14,287
Cash flows from financing activities
Net change in revolving notes with maturities of 90 days or less	3,666
Proceeds from revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days	0	0
Repayments of revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable	13,929	275,000
Repayments of notes payable	(16,056)	(3,719)
Investment by joint venture partner	6,500
Debt issuance costs		(9,450)
Dividends	(13,546)	(12,138)
Cash distribution to joint venture partner	(41,758)	(19,486)
Tax payments for net share settlement of restricted stock	(5,199)	(2,981)
Excess tax deficiency from restricted stock awards		(2,453)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(52,464)	224,773
Effect of exchange rate changes	(465)	(830)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(25,458)	323,073
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period	611,466	222,679
End of period	586,008	545,752
Cash paid during the period for
Interest	9,234	4,944
Income taxes, net	20,789	18,818
Non-cash activity
Transfer from Leased railcars for syndication to Equipment on operating leases, net		6,082
Capital expenditures accrued in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	12,748	4,783
Change in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities associated with cash distributions to joint venture partner	396	703
Change in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities associated with dividends declared	$ 43	$ (96)