Derivative Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments

Derivative Instruments

We use derivative instruments to mitigate the impact of changes in interest rates, both in anticipation of future debt issuances and to offset interest rate variability of certain floating rate debt issuances outstanding. We also use derivative instruments to mitigate the impact of changes in natural gas and diesel fuel prices and changes in foreign currency exchange rates. For derivative instruments designated as hedges, the Company formally documents the relationship between the derivative instrument and the hedged item, as well as the risk management objective and strategy for the use of the derivative instrument. This documentation includes linking the derivatives that are designated as fair value or cash flow hedges to specific assets or liabilities on the balance sheet, commitments, or forecasted transactions. At the time a derivative instrument is entered into, and at least quarterly thereafter, the Company assesses whether the derivative instrument is effective in offsetting the changes in fair value or cash flows of the hedged item. Any change in fair value resulting in ineffectiveness, as defined by accounting standards issued by the FASB, is recognized in current period earnings. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is recorded in AOCL as a separate component of stockholders' equity and reclassified into earnings in the period during which the hedge transaction affects earnings. Trinity monitors its derivative positions and the credit ratings of its counterparties and does not anticipate losses due to counterparties' non-performance. See Note 3 Fair Value Accounting for discussion of how the Company valued its commodity hedges and interest rate swaps at December 31, 2012. See Note 11 Debt for a description of the Company's debt instruments.

Interest rate hedges

					Included in accompanying balance sheet at December 31, 2012
	Notional Amount		Interest Rate(1)		Liability		AOCL – loss/ (income)			Noncontrolling Interest
	(in millions, except %)
Expired hedges:
2006 secured railcar equipment notes	$	200.0	4.87	%	$	—	$	(1.9	)	$	—
Promissory notes	$	370.0	5.34	%	$	—	$	7.2		$	—
TRIP Holdings	$	788.5	3.60	%	$	—	$	19.9		$	14.9
Open hedges:
TRIP Master Funding secured railcar equipment notes	$	78.4	2.62	%	$	5.2	$	2.9		$	2.2
Promissory notes	$	443.8	4.13	%	$	37.6	$	34.9		$	—

⁽¹⁾  Weighted average fixed interest rate

	Effect on interest expense-increase/(decrease)
	Year Ended December 31,									Expected effect during next twelve months(1)
	2012			2011			2010
	(in millions)
Expired hedges:
2006 secured railcar equipment notes	$	(0.3	)	$	(0.4	)	$	(0.4	)	$	(0.3	)
Promissory notes	$	3.3		$	3.5		$	3.8		$	3.1
TRIP Holdings	$	6.0		$	17.4		$	29.3		$	5.6
Open hedges(2):
TILC Warehouse	$	—		$	—		$	0.5		$	—
TRIP Master Funding secured railcar equipment notes	$	2.0		$	1.1		$	—		$	1.8
Promissory notes	$	18.4		$	19.6		$	19.7		$	16.7

⁽¹⁾Based on fair value as of December 31, 2012

⁽²⁾Cash flows related to open hedges are included as a change in accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

During 2005 and 2006, we entered into interest rate swap derivatives in anticipation of issuing our 2006 Secured Railcar Equipment Notes. These derivative instruments, with a notional amount of $200.0 million, were settled in 2006 and fixed the interest rate on a portion of the related debt issuance. These derivative instrument transactions are being accounted for as cash flow hedges with changes in the fair value of the instruments of $4.5 million in income recorded in AOCL through the date the related debt issuance closed in 2006. The balance is being amortized over the term of the related debt. The effect on interest expense is due to amortization of the AOCL balance.

During 2006 and 2007, we entered into interest rate swap derivatives in anticipation of issuing our Promissory Notes. These derivative instruments, with a notional amount of $370.0 million, were settled in 2008 and fixed the interest rate on a portion of the related debt issuance. These derivative instrument transactions are being accounted for as cash flow hedges with changes in the fair value of the instruments of $24.5 million recorded as a loss in AOCL through the date the related debt issuance closed in 2008. The balance is being amortized over the term of the related debt. The effect on interest expense is due to amortization of the AOCL balance.

During 2008, we entered into interest rate swap transactions, with a notional amount of $200.0 million, which were being used to hedge our exposure to changes in the variable interest rate associated with our TILC warehouse facility. The effect on interest expense included the mark-to-market valuation on the interest rate swap transactions and monthly interest settlements. These interest rate hedges expired during the fourth quarter of 2010.

In 2008, we entered into an interest rate swap derivative instrument, expiring in 2015, to fix the variable Libor component of the Promissory Notes. This derivative instrument transaction is being accounted for as a cash flow hedge. The effect on interest expense results primarily from monthly interest settlements.

Between 2007 and 2009, TRIP Holdings, as required by the TRIP Warehouse Loan, entered into interest rate swap derivatives, all of which qualified as cash flow hedges, to reduce the effect of changes in variable interest rates in the TRIP Warehouse Loan. In July 2011, these interest rate hedges were terminated in connection with the refinancing of the TRIP Warehouse Loan. Balances included in AOCL at the date the hedges were terminated are being amortized over the expected life of the new debt with $5.6 million of additional interest expense expected to be recognized during the twelve months following December 31, 2012. Also in July 2011, TRIP Holdings’ wholly-owned subsidiary, TRIP Master Funding, entered into an interest rate swap derivative instrument, expiring in 2021, with a notional amount of $94.1 million to reduce the effect of changes in variable interest rates associated with the Class A-1b notes of the TRIP Master Funding secured railcar equipment notes. The effect on interest expense results primarily from monthly interest settlements.

See Note 11 Debt regarding the related debt instruments.

Other Derivatives

	Effect on operating income - increase/(decrease)
	Year Ended December 31,
	2012			2011		2010
	(in millions)
Fuel hedges(1)
Effect of mark-to-market valuation	$	0.4		$	0.0	$	0.0
Settlements	0.0			0.4		(0.1		)
	$	0.4		$	0.4	$	(0.1	)
Foreign exchange hedges(2)	$	(0.4	)	$	0.1	$	(0.9	)

⁽¹⁾  Included in cost of revenues in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations

⁽²⁾  Included in other, net in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations

Natural gas and diesel fuel

We maintain a program to mitigate the impact of fluctuations in the price of natural gas and diesel fuel purchases. The intent of the program is to protect our operating profit from adverse price changes by entering into derivative instruments. For those instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, any changes in their valuation are recorded directly to the consolidated statement of operations. The amount recorded in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 for these instruments was not significant.

Foreign exchange hedge

We enter into foreign exchange hedges to mitigate the impact on operating profit of unfavorable fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. These instruments are short term with quarterly maturities and no remaining balance in AOCL as of December 31, 2012.