Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenues - External	$ 932.9	$ 896.2
Revenues - Intersegment	0	0
Total revenues	932.9	896.2
Operating Profit (Loss)	159.5	122.7
Rail Group
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenues - External	423.6	341.2
Revenues - Intersegment	201.9	125.9
Total revenues	625.5	467.1
Operating Profit (Loss)	102.9	40.1
Construction Products Group
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenues - External	98.0	120.5
Revenues - Intersegment	5.8	5.4
Total revenues	103.8	125.9
Operating Profit (Loss)	7.7	11.1
Inland Barge Group
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenues - External	147.4	169.4
Revenues - Intersegment	0	0
Total revenues	147.4	169.4
Operating Profit (Loss)	24.3	30.0
Energy Equipment Group
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenues - External	128.5	120.1
Revenues - Intersegment	26.2	4.9
Total revenues	154.7	125.0
Operating Profit (Loss)	14.9	(3.8)
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenues - External	134.4	142.1
Revenues - Intersegment	0	0.2
Total revenues	134.4	142.3
Operating Profit (Loss)	61.6	66.5
All Other
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenues - External	1.0	2.9
Revenues - Intersegment	18.3	12.8
Total revenues	19.3	15.7
Operating Profit (Loss)	(2.6)	1.2
Corporate
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenues - External	0	0
Revenues - Intersegment	0	0
Total revenues	0	0
Operating Profit (Loss)	(16.6)	(11.6)
Eliminations – Lease subsidiary
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenues - External	0	0
Revenues - Intersegment	(198.0)	(122.6)
Total revenues	(198.0)	(122.6)
Operating Profit (Loss)	(32.4)	(10.9)
Eliminations – Other
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenues - External	0	0
Revenues - Intersegment	(54.2)	(26.6)
Total revenues	(54.2)	(26.6)
Operating Profit (Loss)	$ (0.3)	$ 0.1