Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 32,187	$ 62,876
Accounts receivable, net	326,160	325,453
Materials and supplies	31,788	31,295
Prepaid expenses and other	48,896	52,584
Deferred income tax assets, net	75,610	76,122
Total current assets	514,641	548,330
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net	3,462,074	3,440,744
GOODWILL	629,545	630,462
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net	606,615	613,933
DEFERRED INCOME TAX ASSETS, net	3,117	2,405
OTHER ASSETS, net	70,620	83,947
Total assets	5,286,612	5,319,821
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current portion of long-term debt	94,837	84,366
Accounts payable	205,603	242,010
Accrued expenses	125,502	130,132
Total current liabilities	425,942	456,508
LONG-TERM DEBT, less current portion	1,484,722	1,540,346
DEFERRED INCOME TAX LIABILITIES, net	872,706	863,051
DEFERRED ITEMS - grants from outside parties	266,590	267,098
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	42,921	43,748
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
EQUITY:
Additional paid-in capital	1,314,058	1,302,521
Retained earnings	1,098,888	1,058,884
Accumulated other comprehensive income	2,951	6,089
Treasury stock, at cost	(223,735)	(220,361)
Total Genesee & Wyoming Inc. stockholders’ equity	2,192,826	2,147,795
Noncontrolling interest	905	1,275
Total equity	2,193,731	2,149,070
Total liabilities and equity	5,286,612	5,319,821
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value, one vote per share; 180,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013; 64,766,246 and 64,584,102 shares issued and 52,081,088 and 51,934,137 shares outstanding (net of 12,685,079 and 12,649,965 shares in treasury) on March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively
EQUITY:
Common Stock	648	646
Class B common stock, $0.01 par value, ten votes per share; 30,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013; 1,608,989 shares issued and outstanding on March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013
EQUITY:
Common Stock	$ 16	$ 16