Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenue External	$ 1,028.4	$ 708.3	$ 1,953.7	$ 1,342.5
Total Revenues	1,028.4	708.3	1,953.7	1,342.5
Operating Profit (Loss)	154.9	95.4	277.3	180.9
Rail Group [Member]
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenue External	380.2	197.3	721.4	328.3
Revenues Intersegment	136.7	83.4	262.6	172.2
Total Revenues	516.9	280.7	984.0	500.5
Operating Profit (Loss)	53.0	15.4	93.1	24.7
Construction Products Group [Member]
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenue External	151.6	148.0	301.2	278.1
Revenues Intersegment	5.2	1.3	10.6	4.8
Total Revenues	156.8	149.3	311.8	282.9
Operating Profit (Loss)	15.2	16.1	26.0	24.4
Inland Barge Group [Member]
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenue External	173.9	117.8	343.3	255.7
Total Revenues	173.9	117.8	343.3	255.7
Operating Profit (Loss)	36.6	19.1	66.6	40.8
Energy Equipment Group [Member]
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenue External	126.6	115.1	246.7	228.3
Revenues Intersegment	4.1	2.4	9.0	7.9
Total Revenues	130.7	117.5	255.7	236.2
Operating Profit (Loss)	4.0	1.2	0.2	11.7
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group [Member]
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenue External	192.3	128.2	334.4	248.0
Revenues Intersegment	1.9		2.1
Total Revenues	194.2	128.2	336.5	248.0
Operating Profit (Loss)	76.4	59.7	142.9	114.4
All Other [Member]
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenue External	3.8	1.9	6.7	4.1
Revenues Intersegment	17.0	12.4	29.8	23.3
Total Revenues	20.8	14.3	36.5	27.4
Operating Profit (Loss)	(6.3)	(0.2)	(5.1)	(0.5)
Corporate [Member]
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Operating Profit (Loss)	(9.6)	(8.4)	(21.2)	(19.1)
Eliminations - Lease subsidiary [Member]
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenues Intersegment	(132.3)	(79.5)	(254.9)	(164.9)
Total Revenues	(132.3)	(79.5)	(254.9)	(164.9)
Operating Profit (Loss)	(12.2)	(7.1)	(23.1)	(15.2)
Eliminations - Other [Member]
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments
Revenues Intersegment	(32.6)	(20.0)	(59.2)	(43.3)
Total Revenues	(32.6)	(20.0)	(59.2)	(43.3)
Operating Profit (Loss)	$ (2.2)	$ (0.4)	$ (2.1)	$ (0.3)