Income Taxes Liability for Uncertain Tax Positions (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 0	$ 0	$ 146
Increase for tax positions related to the current year	0	0	0
Settlements and lapse of statutes of limitations	0	0	(146)
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(215)	0	0
Balance at end of year	3,155	0	0
RailAmerica [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Increase for tax positions related to the current year	$ 3,370	$ 0	$ 0