Changes in Operations United States RailAmerica (Details) (RailAmerica [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Oct. 02, 2012 mile provinces states railroad employee
RailAmerica [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of outstanding shares acquired	100.00%
Cash purchase price per share	$ 27.50
Total consideration	$ 2,000,000,000
Equity purchase price	1,400,000,000
Net debt acquired	$ 659,200,000
Number of employees acquired	2,000
Number of railroads acquired	45
Track miles acquired	7,100
Number of U.S states in which entity operates	28
Canadian provinces operated in	3