Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The foregoing consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared from the books and records of Trinity Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Trinity”, “Company”, “we”, or “our”) including its majority-owned subsidiary, TRIP Rail Holdings LLC (“TRIP Holdings”). In our opinion, all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2012, and the results of operations and cash flows for the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, have been made in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of seasonal and other factors, the results of operations for the three month period ended March 31, 2012 may not be indicative of expected results of operations for the year ending December 31, 2012. These interim financial statements and notes are condensed as permitted by the instructions to Form 10-Q and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company included in its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders’ Equity

In December 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $200 million share repurchase program, effective January 1, 2011, which expires on December 31, 2012. No shares were repurchased under this program during the three months ended March 31, 2012.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (ASC Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income,” (“ASU 2011-05”) which amended current comprehensive income guidance. ASU 2011-05 became effective for public companies during the interim and annual periods beginning after Dec. 15, 2011 with early adoption permitted. Accordingly, the Company adopted this new standard on January 1, 2012 by including the consolidated statement of comprehensive income with its consolidated financial statements and revising Note 13 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. The adoption of ASU 2011-05 did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows as it only requires a change in reporting format with regard to components of other comprehensive income.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

Effective December 31, 2011, the Company adopted the emerging industry policy of recognizing revenue from the sales of railcars from the lease fleet on a gross basis in leasing revenues and cost of revenues if the railcar has been owned by the lease fleet for one year or less at the time of sale. Sales of railcars from the lease fleet which have been owned by the lease fleet for more than one year are recognized as a net gain or loss from the disposal of a long-term asset. Prior year reported balances have been reclassified to conform to this policy resulting in a decrease in revenue of $10.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011.