Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
OPERATING REVENUES	$ 829,096	$ 630,195	$ 544,866
OPERATING EXPENSES: [Abstract]
Labor and benefits	236,152	207,736	191,479
Equipment rents	43,984	32,491	29,272
Purchased services	78,710	52,198	42,435
Depreciation and amortization	66,481	51,166	48,110
Diesel fuel used in operations	88,400	45,849	33,538
Diesel fuel sold to third parties	16,986	17,322	14,400
Casualties and insurance	22,469	14,235	14,842
Materials	26,419	22,280	21,835
Net (gain)/loss on sale and impairment of assets	(5,660)	(6,441)	3,953
Gain on settlement	0	(8,707)	0
Gain on insurance recoveries	(1,061)	0	(3,143)
Stamp duty	0	16,369	0
Restructuring	0	(2,349)	2,288
Other operating expenses	64,437	57,636	46,535
Total operating expenses	637,317	499,785	445,544
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	191,779	130,410	99,322
Gain on sale of investments	(907)	0	(391)
Interest income	3,243	2,397	1,065
Interest expense	(38,617)	(23,147)	(26,902)
Other income/(expense), net	712	(827)	2,115
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	158,024	108,833	75,991
Provision for income taxes	38,531	30,164	15,916
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	119,493	78,669	60,075
(Loss)/income from discontinued operations, net of tax	(9)	2,591	1,398
Net income	119,484	81,260	61,473
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	(146)
Net income attributable to Genesee & Wyoming Inc.	$ 119,484	$ 81,260	$ 61,327
Basic earnings per share attributable to Genesee & Wyoming Inc common shareholders: [Abstract]
Basic earnings per common share from continuing operations	$ 2.99	$ 2.02	$ 1.66
Basic earnings per common share from discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.07	$ 0.04
Basic earnings per common share	$ 2.99	$ 2.09	$ 1.70
Weighted average shares - Basic	39,912	38,886	36,146
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Genesee & Wyoming Inc. common shareholders: [Abstract]
Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations	$ 2.79	$ 1.88	$ 1.54
Diluted earnings per common share from discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.06	$ 0.04
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 2.79	$ 1.94	$ 1.57
Weighted average shares - Diluted	42,772	41,889	38,974