Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract] Statements of Operations [Abstract] Other (income) expense: Other, Net [Abstract] Net Income Attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc. Per Common Share [Abstract] Net income attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc. per common share: Weighted average number of shares outstanding: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Dividends declared per common share Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net income Net income attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc. Net income Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Provision for income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest, Total Income before income taxes Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other, net Other, net Other, net Interest Expense Interest expense, including TRIP Holdings of $11.8 for 2010 Interest Expense, Total Interest expense Investment Income, Interest Interest income Interest income Operating Income (Loss) Total operating profit Operating Income (Loss), Total Total operating profit Selling, General and Administrative Expense Total selling, engineering, and administrative expenses Total selling, engineering, and administrative expenses Earnings Per Share, Basic Total basic earnings per share Basic Earnings Per Share, Diluted Total diluted earnings per share Diluted Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic, Total Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Total Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Assets Assets [Abstract] Inventories: Inventory, Net [Abstract] Debt: Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract] Stockholders' equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Ending Balance Beginning Balance Total Stockholders' Equity Total stockholders' equity Treasury Stock, Value Treasury stock Treasury Stock, Value, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Value, Beginning Balance Treasury stock Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Total Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Common Stock, Value, Issued Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common stock - 200.0 shares authorized Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Total Preferred stock - 1.5 shares authorized and unissued Total liabilities Liabilities Other liabilities Other Liabilities Total liabilities Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Liabilities Deferred income Deferred Revenue, Total Deferred Revenue, Beginning Balance Deferred Revenue, Ending Balance Deferred Revenue Accrued liabilities Accrued Liabilities, Total Accrued Liabilities Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Total Accounts Payable Total assets Assets Goodwill Goodwill, Beginning Balance Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total Property, plant and equipment, net Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Less accumulated depreciation, including TRIP Holdings of $98.5 and $90.3 Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Ending Balance Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Beginning Balance Less accumulated depreciation Accumulated depreciation on property, plant and equipment Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total Total other (income) expense Total other (income) expense Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total Property, plant, and equipment, at cost, including TRIP Holdings of $1,273.8 and $1,282.1 Total inventories Inventory, Net, Total Inventory, Net Finished goods Inventory, Finished Goods Work in process Inventory, Work in Process Income tax receivable Income Taxes Receivable Accounts Receivable, Net Accounts Receivable, Net, Total Receivables, net of allowance Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash required by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Changes in assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Total Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash required by financing activities Payments of Dividends, Common Stock Dividends paid to common shareholders Dividends paid to common shareholders Dividends paid to common shareholders Payments to retire debt - other Payments to retire debt Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total Repayments of Long-term Debt Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash required by investing activities Capital expenditures - lease subsidiary Capital expenditures - leasing Capital expenditures - lease subsidiary Capital expenditures - lease subsidiary. Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash required by operating activities Increase (decrease) in other liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities, Total Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities Increase (decrease) in accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Total Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets (Increase) decrease in other assets (Increase) decrease in other assets Increase (Decrease) in Inventories (Increase) decrease in inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories, Total (Increase) decrease in inventories Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable (Increase) decrease in receivables (Increase) decrease in receivables Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes Deferred Deferred Deferred Provision for deferred income taxes Stock-based compensation expense Share-based Compensation, Total Share-based Compensation Beginning Balance, Shares Ending Balance, Shares Shares, Issued Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent, Total Comprehensive net income Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax Change in unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments, net of tax Change in unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments Dividends, Common Stock, Cash Cash dividends on common stock Cash dividends on common stock Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition, Value Stock-based compensation expense Stock-based compensation expense Common Stock Capital in Excess of Par Value Treasury Stock Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Fair Value Accounting [Abstract] Fair Value Accounting. Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Fair Value Accounting Segment Information [Abstract] Segment Information. Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Information Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Derivative Instruments Property, Plant, and Equipment [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Property, Plant, and Equipment Debt [Abstract] Debt. Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Other, Net Other Income and Other Expense Disclosure [Text Block] Employee Retirement Plans Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Abstract] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block] Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Net Income Attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc. Per Common Share Income Taxes [Abstract] Provision for income taxes Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount Debt unamortized discount Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred Stock, Shares Unissued Preferred Stock, Shares Unissued, Total Preferred stock, shares unissued Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Total debt Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Total Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Debt Recourse net of unamortized discount Recourse, net of unamortized discount of $108.4 and $111.1 Debt Recourse, net of unamortized discount Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract] Other Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Other Raw materials and supplies Inventory, Raw Materials and Supplies, Total Inventory, Raw Materials and Supplies Total revenues Sales Revenue, Net Total Revenues Operating costs: Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Cost of Goods and Services Sold Total cost of revenues Total cost of revenues Capital in excess of par value Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Beginning Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Proceeds from sales of railcars from our lease fleet Proceeds from sales of railcars from our lease fleet Proceeds from sales of railcars from our lease fleet. Proceeds from disposition of property, plant, equipment, and other assets Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets, Total Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets Payments to Acquire Other Productive Assets Capital expenditures - manufacturing and other Capital expenditures - manufacturing and other Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Other comprehensive income, net of tax: Restricted shares issued, net Stock Issued During Period, Value, Treasury Stock Reissued Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group [Abstract] Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group. Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group [Text Block] Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group. Investment in TRIP Holdings [Abstract] Investment in TRIP Holdings [Abstract] Equity Investment. Equity Investment [Text Block] Investment in TRIP Holdings Equity Investment. Derivative Instruments [Abstract] Warranties [Abstract] Warranties Product Warranty Disclosure [Text Block] Employee Retirement Plans [Abstract] Other assets Other Assets Gain on disposition of property plant equipment and other assets Gain on disposition of property, plant, equipment, and other assets Gain on disposition of property, plant, equipment, and other assets Gain on disposition of property, plant, equipment, and other assets. Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Statement, Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Trinity Stockholders' Equity Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information. Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Net income Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest Non Recourse Abstract Non-recourse: Non Recourse Abstract. Wholly owned subsidiaries Parent and wholly-owned subsidiaries Wholly owned subsidiaries. Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent Restricted cash, including TRIP Holdings of $46.1 and $46.0 Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Noncontrolling interest Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Ending Balance Beginning Balance Total stockholders' equity, including portion attributable to noncontrolling interest, total Total stockholders' equity including portion attributable to noncontrolling interest Marketable Securities, Current Marketable Securities, Current, Total Short-term marketable securities Noncontrolling Interest Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Stock options exercised Previously Reported Company Holdings TRIP Holdings. TRIP Holdings Property, plant and equipment of Company Holdings Property, plant and equipment of TRIP Holdings Property plant and equipment of TRIP Holdings. Accumulated depreciation on property, plant and equipment of Company Holdings Accumulated depreciation on property, plant and equipment of TRIP Holdings Depreciation on property, plant and equipment of TRIP Holdings. Payments to Acquire Marketable Securities Investment in short-term marketable securities Payments to Acquire Marketable Securities, Total Investment in short-term marketable securities Cost of Goods and Services Sold [Abstract] Cost of revenues: Sales Revenue, Net [Abstract] Revenues: Selling, General and Administrative Expense [Abstract] Selling, engineering, and administrative expenses: Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Stockholders' equity: Cost Of Revenues Related to Corporate Other Corporate Cost Of Revenues Related to Corporate. Sales Revenue, Services, Net Leasing Leasing Sales Revenue, Goods, Net Manufacturing Manufacturing Cost of Services Cost of Services, Total Leasing Cost of Goods Sold Cost of Goods Sold, Total Manufacturing Selling engineering and administrative expenses related to leasing Selling engineering and administrative expenses related to leasing. Leasing Selling engineering and administrative expenses related to manufacturing Selling engineering and administrative expenses related to manufacturing. Manufacturing Selling engineering and administrative expenses related to corporate Other Corporate Selling engineering and administrative expenses related to corporate. Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Acquisitions, net of cash acquired Acquisition, net of cash acquired Acquisition, net of cash acquired Repayments of Assumed Debt Payments to retire debt - assumed debt of Quixote Payments to retire debt - assumed debt of Quixote Restricted Cash of Company Holdings Restricted cash of TRIP Holdings Restricted Cash of Company Holdings. Gain (Loss) on Sale of Other Assets Gain on disposition of railcars from our lease fleet Gain on disposition of railcars from our lease fleet Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Stock Options Exercised Stock options exercised, Shares Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Treasury Stock Reissued Restricted shares issued, net, Shares Property, plant, and equipment, at cost, including TRIP Holdings of $1,082.5 at June 30, 2010 Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Beginning Balance Property, plant, and equipment, at cost, including TRIP Holdings of $1084.5 at Sep 30, 2010 Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Less accumulated depreciation, including TRIP Holdings of $81.6 at Sep 30, 2010 Less accumulated depreciation, including TRIP Holdings of $72.9 at June 30, 2010 Accumulated depreciation on property, plant and equipment Less accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Beginning Balance Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Ending Balance Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Restricted cash, including TRIP Holdings of $48.9 at Sep 30, 2010 Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent Increase in income tax receivable other (Increase) decrease in income tax receivable (Increase) decrease in income tax receivable - other Increase in income tax receivable other. Proceeds from (Repayments of) Restricted Cash, Financing Activities (Increase) decrease in restricted cash (Increase) decrease in restricted cash Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Contingencies [Abstract] Contingencies. Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Contingencies Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Total Depreciation and amortization