Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2021	Feb. 29, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities
Net earnings (loss)	$ (20,550)	$ 44,026
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Deferred income taxes	16,969	(6,714)
Depreciation and amortization	50,868	59,338
Net gain on disposition of equipment	(949)	(10,656)
Accretion of debt discount	2,857	2,718
Stock based compensation expense	8,951	7,237
Noncontrolling interest adjustments	(1,285)	9,038
Other	1,135	(39)
Decrease (increase) in assets:
Accounts receivable, net	(10,735)	47,282
Income tax receivable	(52,994)	(1,173)
Inventories	(35,005)	(55,158)
Leased railcars for syndication	(37,988)	(123,033)
Other assets	(2,895)	(39,433)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(13,257)	(67,988)
Deferred revenue	104	1,381
Net cash used in operating activities	(94,774)	(133,174)
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from sales of assets	11,336	41,827
Capital expenditures	(50,353)	(40,834)
Investments in and advances to / repayments from unconsolidated affiliates	4,523	(1,500)
Cash distribution from unconsolidated affiliates and other	488	11,273
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(34,006)	10,766
Cash flows from financing activities
Net change in revolving notes with maturities of 90 days or less	98,442	10,246
Proceeds from revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days	112,000
Repayments of revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days	(286,000)
Repayments of notes payable	(14,990)	(17,120)
Dividends	(18,046)	(17,312)
Cash distribution to joint venture partner	(3,646)	(8,706)
Tax payments for net share settlement of restricted stock	(2,357)	(1,895)
Net cash used in financing activities	(114,597)	(34,787)
Effect of exchange rate changes	3,403	(2,824)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	(239,974)	(160,019)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, Beginning balance	842,087	338,487
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, Ending balance	602,113	178,468
Balance sheet reconciliation
Cash and cash equivalents	593,499	169,899
Restricted cash	8,614	8,569
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, Ending balance	602,113	178,468
Cash paid during the period for
Interest	15,755	11,608
Income taxes, net	7,132	25,503
Non-cash activity
Transfer from Leased railcars for syndication and Inventories to Equipment on operating leases, net	77,953	55,739
Capital expenditures accrued in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	846	3,237
Change in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities associated with dividends declared	324	(96)
Conversion of unconsolidated affiliate note receivable to Investment in unconsolidated affiliates		4,760
Change in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities associated with cash distributions to joint venture partner	$ 1,205	$ 535