Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 172,063	$ 160,462	$ 284,824
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred income taxes	(40,496)	4,377	(8,935)
Depreciation and amortization	74,356	65,129	63,345
Net gain on disposition of equipment	(44,369)	(9,740)	(15,796)
Stock based compensation expense	29,314	26,427	24,037
Accretion of debt discount	4,171	2,340
Noncontrolling interest adjustments	2,864	(677)	526
Other	1,688	(845)	560
Decrease (increase) in assets:
Accounts receivable, net	(83,551)	(25,272)	(32,051)
Inventories	(26,592)	(2,787)	53,711
Leased railcars for syndication	(54,023)	41,015	19,154
Other	34,115	17,558	(16,989)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	54,032	(25,422)	(85,928)
Deferred revenue	(20,231)	33,039	50,712
Net cash provided by operating activities	103,341	285,604	337,170
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(34,874)	(27,127)
Proceeds from sales of assets	153,224	24,149	103,715
Capital expenditures	(176,848)	(86,065)	(139,013)
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	73	15,387	(15,410)
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	(26,455)	(40,632)	(12,855)
Cash distribution from joint ventures	4,661	550	7,855
Net cash used in investing activities	(80,219)	(113,738)	(55,708)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net changes in revolving notes with maturities of 90 days or less	23,401	4,324	(49,000)
Repayments of revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days			(1,888)
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable	13,771	276,093
Repayments of notes payable	(22,269)	(8,297)	(22,299)
Debt issuance costs		(9,082)	(4,161)
Repurchase of stock			(33,498)
Dividends	(29,914)	(24,890)	(23,303)
Cash distribution to joint venture partner	(73,033)	(28,511)	(95,092)
Investment by joint venture partner	6,500		5,400
Tax payments for net share settlement of restricted stock	(7,723)	(5,215)	(5,500)
Excess tax benefit from restricted stock awards			2,813
Other			(887)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(89,267)	204,422	(227,415)
Effect of exchange rate changes	(14,666)	12,499	(4,298)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(80,811)	388,787	49,749
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period	611,466	222,679	172,930
End of period	530,655	611,466	222,679
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	18,878	13,962	12,277
Income taxes, net	66,423	45,280	125,455
Non-cash activity
Conversion of 2018 Senior Convertible Notes	118,887
Transfer from Leased railcars for syndication and Inventories to Equipment on operating leases, net	20,945	8,668	73,165
Capital expenditures accrued in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	13,534	16,145	8,408
Change in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities associated with cash distributions to joint venture partner	14	484	652
Change in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities associated with dividends declared	$ (72)	(252)	(331)
Change in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities associated with repurchase of stock			1,125
Transfer of Property, plant and equipment, net to (from) Intangibles and other assets, net		$ (63)	$ 588