Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 15, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	TRINITY INDUSTRIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000099780
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2013
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		78,607,049