Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
OPERATING REVENUES	$ 2,208,044	$ 2,001,527	$ 2,000,401
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Labor and benefits	660,284	633,114	614,967
Equipment rents	132,903	159,372	149,825
Purchased services	244,119	198,046	186,905
Depreciation and amortization	250,457	205,188	188,535
Diesel fuel used in train operations	147,427	118,203	132,149
Electricity used in train operations	7,521	13,346	13,714
Casualties and insurance	46,993	38,884	42,494
Materials	107,519	82,522	95,248
Trackage rights	87,490	87,194	78,140
Net loss/(gain) on sale and impairment of assets	4,254	32,484	(2,291)
Restructuring costs	10,160	8,182	0
Other expenses	110,455	135,380	116,454
Total operating expenses	1,809,582	1,711,915	1,616,140
OPERATING INCOME	398,462	289,612	384,261
Interest income	2,082	1,107	481
Interest expense	(107,291)	(75,641)	(67,073)
Loss on settlement of foreign currency forward purchase contracts	0	0	(18,686)
Other income, net	2,266	413	1,948
Income before income taxes	295,519	215,491	300,931
Benefit from/(provision for) income taxes	261,259	(74,395)	(75,894)
Net income	556,778	141,096	225,037
Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	7,727	(41)	0
Net income attributable to Genesee & Wyoming Inc.	$ 549,051	$ 141,137	$ 225,037
Basic earnings per common share attributable to Genesee & Wyoming Inc. common stockholders: (US$ per share)	$ 8.92	$ 2.46	$ 3.97
Weighted average shares—Basic	61,579	57,324	56,734
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Genesee & Wyoming Inc. common stockholders: (US$ per share)	$ 8.79	$ 2.42	$ 3.89
Weighted average shares—Diluted	62,464	58,256	57,848