Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings		$ 35,869	$ 25,847	$ 79,895	$ 55,012
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Translation adjustment		(11,029)	(5,083)	(13,315)	(7,269)
Reclassification of derivative financial instruments recognized in net earnings	[1]	1,845	306	2,322	1,476
Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments	[2]	(5,643)	(1,729)	(7,127)	(5,066)
Other (net of tax effect)		81	(1)	(140)	75
Other comprehensive income		(14,746)	(6,507)	(18,260)	(10,784)
Comprehensive income		21,123	19,340	61,635	44,228
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(8,096)	(10,590)	(30,816)	(19,013)
Comprehensive income attributable to Greenbrier		$ 13,027	$ 8,750	$ 30,819	$ 25,215

[1] Net of tax effect of ($0.6 million) and ($0.1 million) for the three months ended May 31, 2020 and 2019 and ($0.8 million) and ($0.5 million) for the nine months ended May 31, 2020 and 2019. 

[2] Net of tax effect of $2.1 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended May 31, 2020 and 2019 and $2.8 million and $1.6 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2020 and 2019.