Segment Information (Details Textual)	Jun. 30, 2012 BusinessSegment	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of principal business segments of Company	5
Maximum period to own lease fleet to adopt emerging industry policy		1 year
Minimum period to own lease fleet to recognize sale of Railcars as net gain loss		1 year

Minimum period to own lease fleet to recognize sale of Railcars as net gain loss.

No definition available.

Name:	trn_MinimumPeriodToOwnLeaseFleetToRecognizeSaleOfRailcarsAsNetGainLoss
Namespace Prefix:	trn_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant