Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenues External	$ 710.5	$ 543.1	$ 1,354.7	$ 997.1
Total Revenues	710.5	543.1	1,354.7	997.1
Total Operating Profit (Loss)	95.4	78.9	180.9	130.9
Rail Group [Member]
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenues External	197.3	42.1	328.3	74.3
Revenues Intersegment	83.4	70.8	172.2	112.2
Total Revenues	280.7	112.9	500.5	186.5
Total Operating Profit (Loss)	15.4	(2.7)	24.7	(10.6)
Construction Products Group [Member]
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenues External	148.0	165.7	278.1	277.3
Revenues Intersegment	1.3	5.2	4.8	12.0
Total Revenues	149.3	170.9	282.9	289.3
Total Operating Profit (Loss)	16.1	17.7	24.4	20.4
Inland Barge Group [Member]
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenues External	117.8	99.5	255.7	196.9
Total Revenues	117.8	99.5	255.7	196.9
Total Operating Profit (Loss)	19.1	12.0	40.8	29.8
Energy Equipment Group [Member]
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenues External	115.1	112.7	228.3	201.8
Revenues Intersegment	2.4	2.6	7.9	3.6
Total Revenues	117.5	115.3	236.2	205.4
Total Operating Profit (Loss)	1.2	13.5	11.7	23.9
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group [Member]
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenues External	130.4	119.6	260.2	240.8
Total Revenues	130.4	119.6	260.2	240.8
Total Operating Profit (Loss)	59.7	49.2	114.4	97.4
All Other Segment [Member]
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenues External	1.9	3.5	4.1	6.0
Revenues Intersegment	12.4	8.9	23.3	16.1
Total Revenues	14.3	12.4	27.4	22.1
Total Operating Profit (Loss)	(0.2)	(2.1)	(0.5)	(4.7)
Corporate [Member]
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Total Operating Profit (Loss)	(8.4)	(6.5)	(19.1)	(19.0)
Business Eliminations Lease Subsidiary [Member]
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenues Intersegment	(79.5)	(65.9)	(164.9)	(103.9)
Total Revenues	(79.5)	(65.9)	(164.9)	(103.9)
Total Operating Profit (Loss)	(7.1)	(1.9)	(15.2)	(5.5)
Business Eliminations Other [Member]
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenues Intersegment	(20.0)	(21.6)	(43.3)	(40.0)
Total Revenues	(20.0)	(21.6)	(43.3)	(40.0)
Total Operating Profit (Loss)	$ (0.4)	$ (0.3)	$ (0.3)	$ (0.8)