Employee Benefit Programs Employee Bonus Programs (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Employee Bonus Programs [Abstract]
Amounts Awarded Under Performance-Based Bonus Programs	$ 17.7	$ 14.2	$ 10.7

Amounts Awarded Under Performance-Based Bonus Programs during the period

No definition available.

Name:	gwr_AmountsAwardedUnderPerformanceBasedBonusPrograms
Namespace Prefix:	gwr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration