Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings		$ 20,015	$ 5,783	$ 44,026	$ 29,165
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Translation adjustment		(703)	1,745	(2,286)	(2,186)
Reclassification of derivative financial instruments recognized in net earnings	[1]	168	701	477	1,170
Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments	[2]	(3,638)	(1,035)	(1,484)	(3,337)
Other (net of tax effect)		242	306	(221)	76
Other comprehensive income		(3,931)	1,717	(3,514)	(4,277)
Comprehensive income		16,084	7,500	40,512	24,888
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(6,384)	(3,012)	(22,720)	(8,423)
Comprehensive income attributable to Greenbrier		$ 9,700	$ 4,488	$ 17,792	$ 16,465

[1] Net of tax effect of ($0.1 million) and ($0.2 million) for the three months ended February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019 and ($0.2 million) and ($0.4 million) for the six months ended February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019

[2] Net of tax effect of $1.3 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019 and $0.7 million and $1.1 million for the six months ended February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019