Changes in Operations Pro Forma (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Business Combination Pro Forma Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues		$ 373,285,000		$ 1,088,274,000
Net income attributable to Genesee & Wyoming Inc.		28,012,000		55,182,000
Less: Series A-1 Preferred Stock dividend		4,375,000		13,125,000
Net income available to common stockholders		23,637,000		42,057,000
Contingent forward sale contract mark-to-market expense eliminated from pro forma results	0	50,106,000	0	50,106,000
Income per common share attributable to Genesee & Wyoming Inc. common stockholders:
Basic income per common share from continuing operations		$ 0.49		$ 0.88
Diluted income per share from continuing operations		$ 0.47		$ 0.83
RailAmerica [Member]
Business Combination Pro Forma Information [Line Items]
Costs incurred, net of tax, for redemption of senior secured notes (included in pro forma results)				55,000,000
Contingent forward sale contract [Member]
Business Combination Pro Forma Information [Line Items]
Contingent forward sale contract mark-to-market expense eliminated from pro forma results		$ 50,100,000		$ 50,106,000