American Railcar Industries 10-Q 31 Oct 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'
Entity Registrant Name	'American Railcar Industries, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	'0001344596
Document Type	'10-Q
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14
Amendment Flag	'false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	21,352,297

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$99,453	$97,252
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	7,217	3,908
Accounts receivable, net	29,006	21,939
Accounts receivable, due from related parties	25,105	16,402
Inventories, net	105,352	90,185
Deferred tax assets	8,941	9,060
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	4,949	6,500
Total current assets	280,023	245,246
Property, plant and equipment, net	159,334	159,375
Railcars on operating leases, net	548,836	372,551
Deferred debt issuance costs, net	2,254	2,026
Goodwill	7,169	7,169
Investments in and loans to joint ventures	28,231	31,430
Other assets	4,077	7,812
Total assets	1,029,924	825,609
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	73,397	52,772
Accounts payable, due to related parties	2,948	1,410
Accrued Liabilities, Current	24,780	20,216
Accrued compensation	15,737	16,071
Current portion of long-term debt	10,612	6,655
Total current liabilities	127,474	97,124
Long-term debt, net of current portion	300,995	188,103
Deferred tax liability	110,516	99,212
Pension and post-retirement liabilities	3,943	4,718
Other liabilities	2,437	2,550
Total liabilities	545,365	391,707
Stockholders’ equity:	'	'
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 21,352,297 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013	213	213
Additional paid-in capital	239,609	239,609
Retained earnings	246,762	195,574
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-2,025	-1,494
Total stockholders’ equity	484,559	433,902
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$1,029,924	$825,609

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	21,352,297	21,352,297
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	21,352,297	21,352,297

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Manufacturing (including revenues from affiliates of $62,698 and $195,068 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and $65,678 and $148,660 for the same periods in 2013)	$128,270	$170,943	$488,597	$476,160
Railcar Leasing	17,219	8,301	42,850	22,371
Railcar Services (including revenues from affiliates of $4,912 and $13,574 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and $4,307 and $13,461 for the same periods in 2013)	17,353	19,655	51,019	54,882
Total revenues	162,842	198,899	582,466	553,413
Cost of revenues:	'	'	'	'
Manufacturing	-95,609	-136,974	-374,007	-371,806
Railcar Leasing	-6,319	-3,524	-16,192	-9,729
Railcar Services	-14,065	-15,614	-40,854	-43,063
Total cost of revenues	-115,993	-156,112	-431,053	-424,598
Gross profit	46,849	42,787	151,413	128,815
Selling, general and administrative	-7,570	-7,161	-23,777	-22,091
Earnings from operations	39,279	35,626	127,636	106,724
Interest income (including income from related parties of $603 and $1,843 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and $669 and $2,026 for the same periods in 2013)	608	672	1,868	2,042
Interest expense	-1,849	-1,512	-5,364	-5,853
Loss on debt extinguishment	0	0	-1,896	-392
Other income	63	16	95	2,024
Earnings (Loss) from joint ventures	3	-505	-263	-2,282
Earnings before income taxes	38,104	34,297	122,076	102,263
Income tax expense	-14,280	-13,327	-45,266	-39,737
Net earnings	$23,824	$20,970	$76,810	$62,526
Net earnings per common share—basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$1.12	$0.98	$3.60	$2.93
Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic and diluted (in shares)	21,352	21,352	21,352	21,352
Cash dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.40	$0.25	$1.20	$0.75

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Revenues from affiliates included in manufacturing	$62,698	$65,512	$195,068	$148,494
Revenues from affiliates included in railcar services	4,912	4,307	13,574	13,461
Interest income from related parties	$603	$669	$1,843	$2,026

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net earnings	$23,824	$20,970	$76,810	$62,526
Currency translation	-590	262	-632	-396
Postretirement plans	55	46	165	140
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax	0	0	0	-1,213
Comprehensive income	$23,289	$21,278	$76,343	$61,057

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Operating activities:	'	'
Net earnings	$76,810	$62,526
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation	24,423	20,433
Amortization of deferred costs	363	486
(Gain) loss on disposal of property, plant, equipment and leased railcars	-72	75
Loss from joint ventures	263	2,282
Provision for deferred income taxes	11,182	23,997
Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	-905	-14
Items related to investing activities:	'	'
Realized and unrealized gains on short-term investments - available for sale securities	0	-141
Items related to financing activities:	'	'
Loss on debt extinguishment	-1,896	-392
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	-7,987	5,329
Accounts receivable, due from related parties	-8,764	-9,315
Inventories, net	-15,235	7,994
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-1,734	-30
Accounts payable	20,634	-6,927
Accounts payable, due to related parties	1,538	-1,345
Accrued expenses and taxes	4,432	16,483
Other	3,007	-4,224
Net cash provided by operating activities	111,661	118,029
Investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-13,701	-15,343
Capital expenditures - leased railcars	-187,861	-108,314
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	575	2
Proceeds from the sale of short-term investments - available for sale securities	0	12,699
Proceeds from repayments of loans by joint ventures	2,875	2,100
Investments in and loans to joint ventures	0	-136
Net cash used in investing activities	-198,112	-108,992
Financing activities:	'	'
Repayments of long-term debt	-201,833	-178,424
Proceeds from long-term debt	318,682	99,841
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash	-26	-3,965
Payment of common stock dividends	-25,623	-16,014
Debt issuance costs	-2,425	-432
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	88,775	-98,994
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-123	-68
Increase (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	2,201	-90,025
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	97,252	205,045
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$99,453	$115,020

Description_of_the_Business

Description of the Business	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Description of the Business	'
	Description of the Business
	The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by American Railcar Industries, Inc. (a North Dakota corporation) and subsidiaries (collectively the Company or ARI), without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 has been derived from the audited consolidated balance sheets as of that date. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. In the opinion of management, the information contained herein reflects all adjustments necessary to present fairly our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods reported. The results of operations of any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a fiscal year.
	The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of ARI and its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries: Castings, LLC (Castings), ARI Component Venture, LLC (ARI Component), ARI Fleet Services of Canada, Inc., ARI Longtrain, Inc. (Longtrain), and Longtrain Leasing I, LLC (Longtrain Leasing I). The accounts of American Railcar Mauritius I (ARM I) and American Railcar Mauritius II (ARM II) have also been included through December 27, 2013, the effective date of the sale of all of the Company's ownership interests in such entities. See Note 8, Investments in and Loans to Joint Ventures, for further discussion regarding this sale. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. In addition, subsequent to the reporting period, the Company added Longtrain Leasing II, LLC (Longtrain Leasing II). See Note 18, Subsequent Events, for further discussion on the nature of this subsidiary.

Recent_accounting_pronouncemen

Recent accounting pronouncements Recent accounting pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]	'
Description of New Accounting Pronouncements Not yet Adopted [Text Block]	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), and requires entities to recognize revenue in a way that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The new revenue recognition standard also requires disclosures that sufficiently describe the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period and is to be applied retrospectively, or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the new standard, but does not, at this time, anticipate a material impact to the financial statements once implemented.

Shortterm_Investments_Availabl

Short-term Investments - Available for Sale Securities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Short-term Investments — Available for Sale Securities	'
	Short-term Investments — Available for Sale Securities
	During the first quarter of 2013, Longtrain sold approximately 0.8 million shares of The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. common stock, which had been purchased in the open market, for approximately $12.7 million. This resulted in a realized gain of $2.0 million that was recorded in other income on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. See Note 15 for the amount of unrealized gain on the shares during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Accounts_Receivable_net_Accoun

Accounts Receivable, net Accounts Receivable, net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Accounts Receivable, net	'
	Accounts Receivable, net
	Accounts receivable, net, consist of the following:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Accounts receivable, gross	$	30,019		$	22,048
	Less allowance for doubtful accounts	(1,013		)	(109		)
	Total accounts receivable, net	$	29,006		$	21,939

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Inventories
	Inventories consist of the following:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Raw materials	$	73,385		$	63,319
	Work-in-process	14,775			19,975
	Finished products	19,843			9,205
	Total inventories	108,003			92,499
	Less reserves	(2,651		)	(2,314		)
	Total inventories, net	$	105,352		$	90,185

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property, Plant, Equipment and Railcars on Operating Leases, net
	The following table summarizes the components of property, plant, equipment and railcars on operating leases, net:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Operations / Corporate:
	Buildings	$	162,106		$	155,937
	Machinery and equipment	192,686			186,844
	Land	3,537			3,335
	Construction in process	12,895			14,487
		371,224			360,603
	Less accumulated depreciation	(211,890		)	(201,228		)
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	159,334		$	159,375
	Railcar Leasing:
	Railcars on operating leases	$	575,588		$	388,060
	Less accumulated depreciation	(26,752		)	(15,509		)
	Railcars on operating leases, net	$	548,836		$	372,551
	Railcars on operating lease agreements
	The Company leases railcars to third parties under multi-year agreements. Railcars subject to lease agreements are classified as operating leases and are depreciated in accordance with the Company’s depreciation policy.
	Capital expenditures for leased railcars represent cash outflows for the Company’s cost to produce railcars shipped or to be shipped for lease.
	As of September 30, 2014, future contractual minimum rental revenues required under non-cancellable operating leases for railcars with terms longer than one year are as follows (in thousands):
	Remaining 3 months of 2014	$	20,777
	2015	59,243
	2016	57,525
	2017	43,376
	2018	31,475
	2019 and thereafter	47,670
	Total	$	260,066
	Depreciation expense
	The following table summarizes depreciation expense:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Total depreciation expense	$	8,751		$	7,038		$	24,423	$	20,433
	Depreciation expense on leased railcars	$	4,295		$	2,573		$	11,285	$	6,988

Goodwill

Goodwill	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill	'
	Goodwill
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company had $7.2 million of goodwill related to the March 2006 acquisition of Custom Steel; a subsidiary of Steel Technologies, Inc. The results attributable to Custom Steel are included in the manufacturing segment.
	Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to an annual review unless conditions arise that require an earlier evaluation. The review for impairment is either a qualitative assessment or a two-step process. If the Company chooses to perform a qualitative assessment and determines that the fair value of the reporting unit more likely than not exceeds the carrying value, no further evaluation is necessary. For the two-step process, the first step is to compare the estimated fair value of the operating unit with the recorded net book value (including the goodwill). If the estimated fair value of the operating unit is higher than the recorded net book value, no impairment is deemed to exist and no further testing is required. If, however, the estimated fair value of the operating unit is below the recorded net book value, then a second step must be performed to determine if impairment of the goodwill is required. In this second step, the implied fair value of goodwill is calculated as the excess of the fair value of the operating unit over the fair value assigned to the operating unit’s assets and liabilities. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the book value of the goodwill, the difference is recognized as an impairment loss.
	The Company performed the two-step process as of March 1, 2014 utilizing the market and income approaches and significant assumptions discussed below. Upon completion of step one, the Company determined that the estimated fair value was higher than the recorded net book value and therefore no further testing was deemed necessary and no impairment of goodwill was recorded.
	Market Approach
	The market approach produces indications of value by applying multiples of enterprise value to revenue as well as enterprise value to earnings before depreciation, amortization, interest and taxes. The multiples indicate what investors are willing to pay for comparable publicly held companies. When adjusted for the risk level and growth potential of the subject company relative to the guideline companies, these multiples are a reasonable indication of the value an investor would attribute to the subject company.
	Income Approach
	The income approach considers the subject company’s future sales and earnings growth potential as the primary source of future cash flow. ARI prepared a five-year financial projection for the reporting unit and used a discounted net cash flow method to determine the fair value. Net cash flow consists of after-tax operating income, plus depreciation, less capital expenditures and working capital needs. The discounted cash flow method considers a five-year projection of net cash flow and adds to those cash flows a residual value at the end of the projection period.
	Significant estimates and assumptions used in the evaluation were forecasted revenues and profits, the weighted average cost of capital and tax rates. Forecasted revenues of the reporting unit were estimated based on historical trends of the ARI plants that the reporting unit supplies parts to, which are driven by the railcar market forecast. Forecasted margins were based on historical experience. The reporting unit does not have a selling, administrative or executive staff; therefore, an estimate of salaries and benefits for key employees was added to represent selling, general and administrative expenses. The weighted average cost of capital was calculated using an estimated cost of equity and debt.
	All of the above estimates and assumptions were determined by management to be reasonable based on the knowledge and information at the time of the evaluation. As such, this carries a risk of uncertainty. There could be significant fluctuations in the cost of raw materials, unionization of the Company’s workforce or other factors that might significantly affect the reporting unit’s cost structure and negatively impact the projection of financial performance. If the railcar industry forecasts or ARI’s market share were to change significantly, the fair value of the reporting unit would be materially adversely impacted. Other events that might occur that could have a negative effect would be a natural disaster that would render the facility unusable, a significant litigation settlement, a significant workers’ compensation claim or other event that would result in a production shut down or significant expense to the reporting unit.

Investments_in_and_Loans_to_Jo

Investments in and Loans to Joint Ventures	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
Investments in and Loans to Joint Ventures	'
	Investments in and Loans to Joint Ventures
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company was party to two joint ventures: Ohio Castings Company LLC (Ohio Castings) and Axis LLC (Axis). Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Castings, the Company has a 33.3% ownership interest in Ohio Castings, a limited liability company formed to produce various steel railcar parts for use or sale by the ownership group. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, ARI Component, the Company has a 41.9% ownership interest in Axis, a limited liability company formed to produce railcar axles for use or sale by the ownership group.
	The Company also previously held, through its wholly-owned direct and indirect subsidiaries, ARM I and ARM II, a 50.0% ownership interest in Amtek Railcar Industries Private Limited (Amtek Railcar), a joint venture that was formed to produce railcars and railcar components in India for sale by the joint venture. The Company, sold its subsidiaries, ARM I and ARM II, thereby selling all of its ownership interest in Amtek Railcar to a third party pursuant to a purchase agreement entered into on December 27, 2013. As a result of the sale, the Company no longer participates in Amtek Railcar. Amtek Railcar incurred a net loss of $2.0 million and $4.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.
	The Company accounts for these joint ventures using the equity method. Under this method, the Company recognizes its share of the earnings and losses of the joint ventures as they accrue. Advances and distributions are charged and credited directly to the investment accounts. From time to time, the Company also makes loans to its joint ventures that are included in the investment account. The investment balance for these joint ventures is recorded within the Company’s manufacturing segment. The carrying amount of investments in and loans to joint ventures, which also represents ARI’s maximum exposure to loss with respect to the joint ventures, are as follows:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Carrying amount of investments in and loans to joint ventures
	Ohio Castings	$	8,551		$	7,378
	Axis	19,680			24,052
	Total investments in and loans to joint ventures	$	28,231		$	31,430
	See Note 16 for information regarding financial transactions with ARI's joint ventures.
	Ohio Castings
	Ohio Castings produces railcar parts that are sold to one of the joint venture partners. This joint venture partner then sells these railcar parts to outside third parties at current market prices and sells them to the Company and the other joint venture partner at Ohio Castings' cost plus a licensing fee.
	The Company has determined that, although the joint venture is a variable interest entity (VIE), accounting for its activity under the equity method is appropriate given that the Company is not the primary beneficiary, does not have a controlling financial interest and does not have the ability to individually direct the activities of Ohio Castings that most significantly impact its economic performance. The significant factors in this determination were that neither Castings nor the Company, has rights to the majority of returns, losses or votes, all major and strategic decisions are decided between the partners, and the risk of loss to Castings and the Company is limited to the Company’s investment through Castings.
	Summary financial results for Ohio Castings, the investee company, in total, are as follows:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2014			2013		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Results of operations
	Revenues	$	24,717		$	15,199	$	60,981		$	42,481
	Gross profit	$	2,961		$	1,334	$	5,896		$	2,239
	Net earnings (loss)	$	3,085		$	1,445	$	4,412		$	1,096
	Axis
	ARI, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, owns a portion of a joint venture, Axis, to manufacture and sell railcar axles. ARI currently owns 41.9% of Axis, while a minority partner owns 9.7%, with the other significant partner owning 48.4%.
	Under the terms of the joint venture agreement, ARI and the other significant partner are required, and the minority partner is entitled, to contribute additional capital to the joint venture, on a pro rata basis, of any amounts approved by the joint venture’s executive committee, as and when called by the executive committee. Further, until 2016, the seventh anniversary of completion of the axle manufacturing facility, and subject to other terms, conditions and limitations of the joint venture agreement, ARI and the other significant partner are also required, in the event production at the facility has been curtailed, to contribute capital to the joint venture, on a pro rata basis, in order to maintain adequate working capital.
	Under the amended Axis credit agreement (Axis Credit Agreement), whereby ARI and the other significant partner are equal lenders, principal payments are due each fiscal quarter, with the last payment due on December 31, 2019. During 2013 and 2014, the applicable interest rate for the loans under the Axis Credit Agreement was 7.75%. Interest payments are due and payable monthly.
	The balance outstanding on these loans, including interest, due to ARI Component, was $30.0 million as of September 30, 2014 and $32.9 million as of December 31, 2013.
	The Company has determined that, although the joint venture is a VIE, accounting for its activity under the equity method is appropriate given that the Company is not the primary beneficiary, does not have a controlling financial interest and does not have the ability to individually direct the activities of Axis that most significantly impact its economic performance. The significant factors in this determination were that the Company and ARI Component do not have the rights to the majority of votes or the rights to the majority of returns or losses, the executive committee and board of directors of the joint venture are comprised of one representative from each significant partner with equal voting rights and the risk of loss to the Company and ARI Component is limited to its investment in Axis and the loans due to the Company under the Axis Credit Agreement. The Company also considered the factors that most significantly impact Axis’ economic performance and determined that ARI does not have the power to individually direct the majority of those activities.
	Summary financial results for Axis, the investee company, in total, are as follows:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2014			2013		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Results of operations
	Revenues	$	16,614		$	15,309	$	49,690		$	38,385
	Gross profit	$	(610	)	$	2,002	$	904		$	3,461
	Earnings before interest	$	(843	)	$	1,789	$	180		$	2,770
	Net earnings (loss)	$	(2,051	)	$	445	$	(3,523	)	$	(1,298	)
	Axis has experienced increased demand during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014; however, it has also experienced unanticipated interruptions and incurred additional costs in its efforts to meet customer demand.
	As of September 30, 2014, the investment in Axis was comprised entirely of ARI’s term loan and revolver. The Company has evaluated these loans to be fully recoverable. The Company will continue to monitor its investment in Axis for impairment.

Warranties

Warranties	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Warranties	'
	Warranties
	The overall change in the Company’s warranty reserve is reflected on the condensed consolidated balance sheet in accrued expenses and taxes and is detailed as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Liability, beginning of period	$	1,654		$	1,519		$	1,385		$	1,374
	Provision for warranties issued during the year, net of	335			226			931			1,103
	adjustments
	Adjustments to warranties issued during previous	(97		)	(314		)	(120		)	(710		)
	years
	Warranty claims	(248		)	(144		)	(552		)	(480		)
	Liability, end of period	$	1,644		$	1,287		$	1,644		$	1,287

Longterm_Debt

Long-term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-term Debt	'
	Long-term Debt
	2012 Lease Fleet Financing
	In December 2012, Longtrain Leasing I entered into a senior secured delayed draw term loan facility (Original Term Loan) secured by a portfolio of railcars, railcar leases, the receivables associated with those railcars and leases, and certain other assets of Longtrain Leasing I. The Original Term Loan provided for an initial draw at closing (Initial Draw) and allowed for up to two additional draws. Upon closing, the Initial Draw was $98.4 million, net of fees and expenses.
	During the first half of 2013, ARI made two additional draws amounting to $99.8 million in aggregate under the Original Term Loan, fully utilizing its capacity. The additional draws during 2013 resulted in proceeds received of $99.4 million, net of fees and expenses. As of December 31, 2013, the outstanding principal balance on the Original Term Loan, including the current portion, was $194.8 million. The Original Term Loan, which had a maturity date of February 27, 2018, bore interest at one-month LIBOR plus 2.5%, for a rate of 2.7% as of December 31, 2013.
	January 2014 Lease Fleet Refinancing
	On January 15, 2014 (Closing Date), Longtrain Leasing I refinanced its Original Term Loan under an amended and restated credit agreement (Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) to, among other things, increase the aggregate borrowings available thereunder. In connection with the refinancing, Longtrain Leasing I entered into a new senior secured term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $316.2 million, net of fees and expenses (Refinanced Term Loan). Of this amount, $194.2 million was used to refinance the Original Term Loan, resulting in net proceeds of $122.0 million. In conjunction with the refinancing, the Company incurred a $1.9 million loss, which is shown as loss on debt extinguishment on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. This non-cash charge is related to the accelerated write-off of deferred debt issuance costs incurred in connection with the Original Term Loan. As of September 30, 2014, the outstanding principal balance on the Refinanced Term Loan, including the current portion, was $311.6 million.
	The fair value of the Company's borrowings under its lease fleet financing facility was $311.6 million and $194.8 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and is based upon estimates by various banks determined by trading levels on the date of measurement using a Level 2 fair value measurement as defined by U.S. GAAP under the fair value hierarchy.
	The terms of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement also provided Longtrain Leasing I with the right, but not the obligation, within the 90 day period ended on October 15, 2014, to increase the amount of the Refinanced Term Loan in an aggregate additional amount not to exceed $100.0 million subject to the conditions set forth in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. Longtrain Leasing I did not exercise this right. However, the Company, through Longtrain Leasing II, entered into a lease fleet financing facility as further discussed in Note 18, Subsequent Events.
	The Refinanced Term Loan accrues interest at a rate per annum equal to the 1-month LIBOR rate plus 2.0%, for a rate of 2.2% as of September 30, 2014, subject to an alternative rate as set forth in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The interest rate increases by 2.0% following certain events of default.
	Pursuant to the terms of the Original Term Loan and the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, the Company has been required to maintain deposits in an interest reserve bank account equal to nine and seven months, respectively, of interest payments. As of both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the interest reserve amount was $3.9 million and included within 'Restricted cash' on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Refinanced Term Loan may be prepaid at Longtrain Leasing I’s option at any time without premium or penalty (other than customary LIBOR breakage fees) prior to the final scheduled maturity of the Refinanced Term Loan, which is January 15, 2020.
	Longtrain Leasing I is required to maintain a loan to value ratio of at least 80% of the Net Aggregate Equipment Value, as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains certain representations, warranties, and affirmative and negative covenants applicable to ARI and/or Longtrain Leasing I, which are customarily applicable to senior secured facilities. Key covenants include limitations on Longtrain Leasing I’s indebtedness, liens, investments, acquisitions, asset sales, redemption payments, and affiliate and extraordinary transactions; full cash sweep; covenants relating to the maintenance of Longtrain Leasing I as a separate legal entity; financial and other reporting and periodic appraisals; maintenance of railcars, leases, and other assets; and Longtrain Leasing I’s compliance with a Debt Service Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) of 1.05 to 1.00, measured quarterly on a nine-month trailing basis, and subject to up to a 75 - 135 day cure period.
	The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement also obligates Longtrain Leasing I and ARI to maintain ARI’s separateness and to ensure that the collections from the railcar leases along with the railcars that secure the Refinanced Term Loan are managed in accordance with the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. Additionally, ARI is obligated to make any selections of transfers of railcars, railcar leases, receivables and related assets to be transferred to Longtrain Leasing I without any adverse selection, to cause American Railcar Leasing LLC (ARL), as the manager, to maintain, lease, and re-lease Longtrain Leasing I’s equipment no less favorably than similar portfolios serviced by ARL, and to repurchase or replace railcars that are reported as Eligible Units (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) when they are not Eligible Units, subject to limitations on liability set forth in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Company was in compliance with all of its covenants under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2014.
	The Refinanced Term Loan is secured by a first lien on substantially all assets of Longtrain Leasing I, consisting of railcars, railcar leases, receivables and related assets, subject to borrowing base calculations and limited exceptions. As of September 30, 2014, the net book value of the railcars that were pledged as part of the Refinanced Term Loan was $306.4 million. As of December 31, 2013, the net book value of the railcars that were pledged as part of the Original Term Loan was $216.7 million.
	The future contractual minimum rental revenues related to the railcars pledged as of September 30, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
	Remaining 3 months of 2014	$	9,051
	2015	35,862
	2016	35,074
	2017	26,433
	2018	16,984
	2019 and thereafter	31,649
	Total	$	155,053
	The remaining principal payments under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
	Remaining 3 months of 2014	$	2,653
	2015	10,612
	2016	10,612
	2017	10,612
	2018	13,703
	2019 and thereafter	263,415
	Total	$	311,607
	2007 Senior Unsecured Notes
	In February 2007, the Company completed the offering of $275.0 million senior unsecured fixed rate notes, which were subsequently exchanged for registered notes in March 2007 (Notes). The Notes bore interest at a fixed interest rate of 7.5%.
	On September 4, 2012, ARI completed a voluntary partial early redemption of $100.0 million of the Notes at a rate of 101.875% of the principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest.
	On March 1, 2013, ARI completed a voluntary redemption of the remaining $175.0 million of Notes outstanding at par, plus any accrued and unpaid interest. In conjunction with the redemption, the Company incurred a $0.4 million loss, which is shown as loss on debt extinguishment on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. This non-cash charge is related to the accelerated write-off of the remaining portion of deferred debt issuance costs incurred in connection with the Notes.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company’s federal income tax returns for tax years 2010 and beyond remain subject to examination, with the latest statute of limitations expiring in September 2017. Certain of the Company's 2008 and 2009 state income tax returns and all of the Company's state income tax returns for 2010 and beyond remain open and subject to examination, with the latest statute of limitations expiring in December 2019. The Company’s foreign subsidiary’s income tax returns for 2010 and beyond remain open to examination by foreign tax authorities.
	The Company is continuing to evaluate the impact of the recent regulations concerning amounts paid to acquire, produce, or improve tangible property and recovery of basis upon disposition. Presently, the Company does not anticipate a material impact to its financial condition or results of operations.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefit Plans	'
	Employee Benefit Plans
	The Company is the sponsor of three defined benefit plans that are frozen and no additional benefits are accruing thereunder. Two of the Company's defined benefit pension plans cover certain employees at designated repair facilities. The assets of these defined benefit pension plans are held by independent trustees and consist primarily of equity and fixed income securities. The Company also sponsors an unfunded, non-qualified supplemental executive retirement plan that covers several of the Company's current and former employees. The Company provides postretirement life insurance benefits for certain of its union employees who retired after attaining specified age and service requirements. The Company also previously sponsored a postretirement medical benefit plan that provided access to healthcare for certain retired employees, however, this plan was terminated effective December 31, 2013.
	The components of net periodic benefit cost for the pension and postretirement plans are as follows:
		Pension Benefits
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Service cost	$	56		$	49		$	170		$	148
	Interest cost	243			221			728			662
	Expected return on plan assets	(313		)	(279		)	(939		)	(836		)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss/prior service cost	69			194			208			582
	Net periodic cost recognized	$	55		$	185		$	167		$	556
		Postretirement Benefits
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Service cost	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1
	Interest cost	—			1			2			3
	Amortization of net actuarial gain/prior service credit	(14		)	(117		)	(43		)	(351		)
	Net periodic benefit recognized	$	(14	)	$	(116	)	$	(41	)	$	(347	)
	The Company also maintains qualified defined contribution plans, which provide benefits to its eligible employees based on employee contributions, years of service, and employee earnings with discretionary contributions allowed. Expenses related to these plans were $0.3 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $0.7 million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	The Company is subject to comprehensive federal, state, local and international environmental laws and regulations relating to the release or discharge of materials into the environment, the management, use, processing, handling, storage, transport or disposal of hazardous materials and wastes, and other laws and regulations relating to the protection of human health and the environment. These laws and regulations not only expose ARI to liability for the environmental condition of its current or formerly owned or operated facilities, and its own negligent acts, but also may expose ARI to liability for the conduct of others or for ARI’s actions that were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time such actions were taken. In addition, these laws may require significant expenditures to achieve compliance and are frequently modified or revised to impose new obligations. Civil and criminal fines and penalties and other sanctions may be imposed for non-compliance with these environmental laws and regulations. ARI’s operations that involve hazardous materials also raise potential risks of liability under common law.
	Certain real property ARI acquired from ACF Industries LLC (ACF) in 1994 had been involved in investigation and remediation activities to address contamination both before and after their transfer to ARI. ACF is an affiliate of Mr. Carl Icahn, the Company’s principal beneficial stockholder through Icahn Enterprises L.P. (IELP). Substantially all of the issues identified with respect to these properties relate to the use of these properties prior to their transfer to ARI by ACF and for which ACF has retained liability for environmental contamination that may have existed at the time of transfer to ARI. ACF has also agreed to indemnify ARI for any cost that might be incurred with those existing issues. As of the date of this report, it is the Company's understanding that no further investigation or remediation is required at these properties and ARI does not believe it will incur material costs in connection with such activities, but it cannot assure that this will be the case. If ACF fails to honor its obligations to ARI, ARI could be responsible for the cost of any additional investigation or remediation that may be required. The Company believes that its operations and facilities are in substantial compliance with applicable laws and regulations and that any noncompliance is not likely to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.
	ARI is a party to collective bargaining agreements with labor unions at two repair facilities that will expire in January 2016 and September 2016. ARI is also party to a collective bargaining agreement with a labor union at a parts manufacturing facility that will expire in April 2017.
	The Company has various agreements with and commitments to related parties. See Note 16 for further detail.
	Certain claims, suits and complaints arising in the ordinary course of business have been filed or are pending against ARI. In the opinion of management, all such claims, suits, and complaints arising in the ordinary course of business are without merit or would not have a significant effect on the future liquidity, results of operations or financial position of ARI if disposed of unfavorably.

Sharebased_Compensation

Share-based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Share-based Compensation	'
	Share-Based Compensation
	The following table presents the amounts incurred by ARI for share-based compensation, or stock appreciation rights (SARs) and the corresponding line items on the condensed consolidated statements of operations that they are classified within:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Share-based compensation expense
	Cost of revenues: Manufacturing	$	239	$	195	$	1,002	$	689
	Cost of revenues: Railcar Services	13		70		251		102
	Selling, general and administrative	288		900		3,259		3,449
	Total share-based compensation expense	$	540	$	1,165	$	4,512	$	4,240
	As of September 30, 2014, unrecognized compensation costs related to the unvested portion of SARs were estimated to be $1.9 million and were expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 26 months.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	The following table presents the balances of related after-tax components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
		Accumulated			Accumulated			Accumulated			Accumulated
		Short-term			Currency			Postretirement			Other
		Investment			Translation			Transactions			Comprehensive
		Transactions									Income (Loss)
		(In thousands)
	Balance December 31, 2012	$	1,213		$	1,562		$	(3,162	)	$	(387	)
	Currency translation	—			(396		)	—			(396		)
	Unrealized gain on available for sale securities, net of tax effect of $51	93			—			—			93
	Reclassifications related to pension and postretirement plans, net of tax effect of $60 (1)	—			—			140			140
	Reclassifications related to available for sale securities, net of tax effect of $702 (2)	(1,306		)	—			—			(1,306		)
	Balance September 30, 2013	$	—		$	1,166		$	(3,022	)	$	(1,856	)
	Balance December 31, 2013	$	—		$	760		$	(2,254	)	$	(1,494	)
	Currency translation	—			(632		)	—			(632		)
	Reclassifications related to pension and	—			—			101			101
	postretirement plans, net of tax effect of $64 (1)
	Balance September 30, 2014	$	—		$	128		$	(2,153	)	$	(2,025	)
	(1)—	These accumulated other comprehensive income components relate to amortization of actuarial loss/(gain) and prior period service costs/(benefits) and are included in the computation of net periodic costs for our pension and postretirement plans. See Note 12 for further details and pre-tax amounts.
	(2)—	This accumulated other comprehensive income component relates to realized gains on available for sale securities sold. See Note 3 for further details and pre-tax amounts.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	Related Party Transactions
	Agreements with ACF
	The Company has the following agreements with ACF, a company controlled by Mr. Carl Icahn, the Company’s principal beneficial stockholder through IELP:
	Manufacturing services agreement
	Under the manufacturing services agreement entered into in 1994 and amended in 2005, ACF agreed to manufacture and distribute, at the Company’s instruction, various railcar components. In consideration for these services, the Company agreed to pay ACF based on agreed upon rates. ARI purchased $1.3 million and $2.2 million of components from ACF during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively and less than $0.1 million during both comparable periods in 2013. The agreement automatically renews unless written notice is provided by the Company.
	Purchasing and engineering services agreement
	In January 2013, ARI entered into a purchasing and engineering services agreement and license with ACF. The agreement was unanimously approved by the independent directors of ARI’s audit committee on the basis that the terms of the agreement were not materially less favorable to ARI than those that could have been obtained in a comparable transaction with an unrelated person. Under this agreement, ARI provides purchasing support and engineering services to ACF in connection with ACF’s manufacture and sale of tank railcars at its facility in Milton, Pennsylvania. Additionally, ARI has granted ACF a non-exclusive, non-assignable license to certain of ARI’s intellectual property, including certain designs, specifications, processes and manufacturing know-how required to manufacture and sell such tank railcars during the term of the agreement. In August 2014, ARI and ACF amended this agreement to, among other things, extend the termination date from December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2015, subject to certain early termination events.
	In consideration of the services and license provided by ARI to ACF in conjunction with the agreement, ACF pays ARI a royalty and, if any, a share of the net profits (Profits) earned on each railcar manufactured and sold by ACF under the agreement, in an aggregate amount equal to 30 percent of such Profits, as calculated under the agreement. Profits are net of certain of ACF’s start-up and shutdown expenses and certain maintenance capital expenditures. If no Profits are realized on a railcar manufactured and sold by ACF pursuant to the agreement, ARI will still be entitled to the royalty for such railcar and will not share in any losses incurred by ACF in connection therewith. In addition, any railcar components supplied by ARI to ACF for the manufacture of these railcars shall be provided at fair market value.
	Under the agreement, ACF had the exclusive right to manufacture and sell subject tank railcars for any new orders scheduled for delivery to customers on or before January 31, 2014. ARI has the exclusive right to any sales opportunities for such tank railcars for any new orders scheduled for delivery after that date and through December 31, 2015. ARI also has the right to assign any sales opportunity to ACF, and ACF has the right, but not the obligation, to accept such sales opportunity. Any sales opportunity accepted by ACF will not be reflected in ARI’s orders or backlog.
	Revenues of $4.3 million and $16.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, compared to $3.4 million and $6.6 million for the same periods in 2013 were recorded under this agreement for sales of railcar components to ACF and for royalties and profits on railcars sold by ACF and are included under manufacturing revenues from affiliates on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
	Agreements with IELP Entities
	The Company has or had the following agreements with companies controlled by Mr. Carl Icahn, the Company’s principal beneficial stockholder through IELP, including, but not limited to, ARL and/or ARL's wholly-owned subsidiary, AEP Leasing LLC (collectively, the IELP Entities):
	Railcar services agreement
	In April 2011, the Company entered into a railcar services agreement with ARL (the Railcar Services Agreement). Under the Railcar Services Agreement, ARI provides ARL railcar repair, engineering, administrative and other services, on an as needed basis, for ARL’s lease fleet at mutually agreed upon prices. The Railcar Services Agreement had an initial term of three years and automatically renews for additional one year periods unless either party provides at least sixty days prior written notice of termination.
	Revenues of $4.9 million and $13.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, compared to $4.3 million and $13.5 million for the same periods in 2013 were recorded under the Railcar Services Agreement. These revenues are included under railcar services revenues from affiliates on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The terms and pricing on services provided to related parties are not less favorable to ARI than the terms and pricing on services provided to unaffiliated third parties. The Railcar Services Agreement was unanimously approved by the independent directors of the Company’s audit committee on the basis that the terms were no less favorable than those that could have been obtained from an independent third party.
	Railcar management agreements
	On February 29, 2012, the Company entered into a railcar management agreement with ARL, pursuant to which the Company engaged ARL to sell or lease ARI’s railcars in certain markets, subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement. The agreement was effective as of January 1, 2011, will continue through December 31, 2015, and may be renewed upon written agreement by both parties. In December 2012, Longtrain Leasing I entered into a similar agreement with ARL. In January 2014, Longtrain Leasing I and ARL amended this agreement to, among other things, extend the termination date to January 15, 2020 (collectively the Railcar Management Agreements).
	The Railcar Management Agreements also provide that ARL will manage the Company’s and Longtrain Leasing I's leased railcars including arranging for services, such as repairs or maintenance, as deemed necessary. Subject to the terms and conditions of each agreement, ARL will receive, in respect of leased railcars, a fee consisting of a lease origination fee and a management fee based on the lease revenues, and, in respect of railcars sold by ARL, sales commissions. The Railcar Management Agreements were unanimously approved by the independent directors of the Company's audit committee on the basis that the terms were no less favorable than those that could have been obtained from an independent third party.
	Total lease origination and management fees incurred under the Railcar Management Agreements were $1.6 million and $3.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, compared to $0.6 million and $1.6 million for the same periods in 2013. These fees are included in cost of revenues for railcar leasing on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Sales commissions of $0.2 million and $0.4 million were incurred for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, compared to $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the same periods in 2013. These costs are included in selling, general and administrative costs on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
	Railcar orders
	The Company has from time to time manufactured and sold railcars to the IELP Entities under long-term agreements as well as on a purchase order basis. Revenues from railcars sold to the IELP Entities were $54.1 million and $179.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, compared to $62.4 million and $142.0 million for the same periods in 2013 and are included in manufacturing revenues from affiliates on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The terms and pricing on sales to related parties are not less favorable to ARI than the terms and pricing on sales to unaffiliated third parties. Any related party sales of railcars under an agreement or purchase order have been and will be subject to the approval or review by the independent directors of the Company’s audit committee.
	Agreements with other related parties
	The Company’s Axis joint venture entered into a credit agreement in 2007. During 2009, the Company and the other significant partner acquired the loans from the lenders party thereto, with each party acquiring a 50.0% interest in the loans. The balance outstanding on these loans, due to ARI Component, was $30.0 million and $32.9 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. See Note 8 for further information regarding this transaction and the terms of the underlying loans.
	ARI is party to a scrap agreement with M. W. Recycling (MWR), a company controlled by Mr. Carl Icahn, the Company’s principal beneficial stockholder through IELP. Under the agreement, which extends through November 2015, ARI sells and MWR purchases scrap metal from several ARI plant locations. MWR collected scrap material totaling $2.4 million and $6.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, compared to $1.5 million and $4.8 million for the same periods in 2013. This agreement was entered into at arm’s-length and was approved by the independent directors of the Company’s audit committee on the basis that the terms of the agreement were no less favorable than those that could have been obtained from an independent third party.
	Insight Portfolio Group LLC (Insight Portfolio Group) is an entity formed and controlled by Mr. Carl Icahn in order to maximize the potential buying power of a group of entities with which Mr. Carl Icahn has a relationship in negotiating with a wide range of suppliers of goods, services and tangible and intangible property at negotiated rates. ARI, and a number of other entities with which Carl Icahn has a relationship, have minority ownership interests in, and pay fees as part of being a member of Insight Portfolio Group. During both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company incurred less than $0.1 million in fees as a member of Insight Portfolio Group. These charges are included in selling, general and administrative costs on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
	In March 2014, the Company appointed Mr. Yevgeny Fundler as its senior vice president, general counsel, and secretary. In March 2014, Mr. Fundler also assumed the role of general counsel with ARL. In addition, since March 2010, he has consulted for Insight Portfolio Group as its general counsel. The independent directors of the Company’s audit committee considered Mr. Fundler’s provision of services to ARL and Insight Portfolio Group in connection with their review and approval of Mr. Fundler’s employment by the Company.
	Financial information for transactions with related parties
	Cost of revenues for manufacturing included $33.5 million and $93.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, compared to $23.5 million and $63.6 million for the same periods in 2013 for railcar components purchased from joint ventures.
	Inventory as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, included $5.9 million and $6.2 million, respectively, of railcar components purchased from joint ventures and all profit for this inventory still on hand was eliminated.

Operating_Segment_and_Sales_an

Operating Segment and Sales and Credit Concentrations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Operating Segment and Sales and Credit Concentrations	'
	Operating Segment and Sales and Credit Concentrations
	ARI operates in three reportable segments: manufacturing, railcar leasing and railcar services. These reportable segments are organized based upon a combination of the products and services offered and performance is evaluated based on revenues and segment earnings (loss) from operations. Intersegment revenues are accounted for as if sales were to third parties.
	Manufacturing
	Manufacturing consists of railcar manufacturing, and railcar and industrial component manufacturing. Intersegment revenues are determined based on an estimated fair market value of the railcars manufactured for the Company’s railcar leasing segment, as if such railcars had been sold to a third party. Revenues for railcars manufactured for the Company’s leasing segment are not recognized in consolidated revenues as railcar sales, but rather lease revenues are recognized over the term of the lease. Earnings from operations for manufacturing include an allocation of selling, general and administrative costs, as well as profit for railcars manufactured for the Company’s railcar leasing segment based on revenue determined as described above.
	Railcar Leasing
	Railcar leasing consists of railcars manufactured by the Company and leased to third parties under operating leases. Earnings from operations for railcar leasing include an allocation of selling, general and administrative costs and also reflect origination fees paid to ARL associated with originating the lease to the Company’s leasing customers. The origination fees represent a percentage of the revenues from the lease over its initial term and are paid up front.
	Railcar Services
	Railcar services consists of railcar repair services provided through the Company's various repair facilities, including mini-shops and mobile units, offering a range of services from full to light repair. Earnings from operations for railcar services include an allocation of selling, general and administrative costs.
	Segment Financial Results
	The information in the following table is derived from the segments’ internal financial reports used by the Company’s management for purposes of assessing segment performance and for making decisions about allocation of resources.
		Revenues											Earnings (Loss) from Operations
		External				Intersegment				Total			External			Intersegment			Total
		(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Manufacturing	$	128,270			$	143,706			$	271,976		$	30,696		$	44,017		$	74,713
	Railcar Leasing	17,219				—				17,219			9,473			(7		)	9,466
	Railcar Services	17,353				38				17,391			2,674			10			2,684
	Corporate/Eliminations	—				(143,744		)		(143,744		)	(3,564		)	(44,020		)	(47,584		)
	Total Consolidated	$	162,842			$	—			$	162,842		$	39,279		$	—		$	39,279
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Manufacturing	$	170,943			$	34,824			$	205,767		$	32,075		$	9,633		$	41,708
	Railcar Leasing	8,301				—				8,301			4,155			5			4,160
	Railcar Services	19,655				31				19,686			3,292			(13		)	3,279
	Corporate/Eliminations	—				(34,855		)		(34,855		)	(3,896		)	(9,625		)	(13,521		)
	Total Consolidated	$	198,899			$	—			$	198,899		$	35,626		$	—		$	35,626
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Manufacturing	$	488,597			$	269,040			$	757,637		$	108,948		$	83,374		$	192,322
	Railcar Leasing	42,850				—				42,850			23,102			(40		)	23,062
	Railcar Services	51,019				222				51,241			7,971			58			8,029
	Corporate/Eliminations	—				(269,262		)		(269,262		)	(12,385		)	(83,392		)	(95,777		)
	Total Consolidated	$	582,466			$	—			$	582,466		$	127,636		$	—		$	127,636
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Manufacturing	$	476,160			$	135,315			$	611,475		$	98,834		$	29,541		$	128,375
	Railcar Leasing	22,371				—				22,371			9,963			17			9,980
	Railcar Services	54,882				126				55,008			9,680			(11		)	9,669
	Corporate/Eliminations	—				(135,441		)		(135,441		)	(11,753		)	(29,547		)	(41,300		)
	Total Consolidated	$	553,413			$	—			$	553,413		$	106,724		$	—		$	106,724
	Total Assets	September 30,				December 31,
		2014				2013
		(in thousands)
	Manufacturing	$	327,816			$	298,951
	Railcar Leasing	746,340				478,000
	Railcar Services	53,739				52,150
	Corporate/Eliminations	(97,971		)		(3,492		)
	Total Consolidated	$	1,029,924			$	825,609
	Sales to Related Parties
	As discussed in Note 16, ARI has numerous arrangements with related parties. As a result, from time to time, ARI offers its products and services to affiliates at terms and pricing no less favorable to ARI than the terms and pricing provided to unaffiliated third parties. Below is a summary of revenue from affiliates for each operating segment reflected as a percentage of total consolidated revenues.
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Manufacturing	38.5	%		32.9	%		33.5	%		26.8	%
	Railcar Leasing	—	%		—	%		—	%		—	%
	Railcar Services	3	%		2.2	%		2.3	%		2.4	%
	Sales and Credit Concentration
	Manufacturing revenues from customers that accounted for more than 10% of total consolidated revenues are outlined in the table below. The railcar leasing and railcar services segments had no customers that accounted for more than 10% of the total consolidated revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Manufacturing revenues from significant customers	51.3	%		67.2	%		44.9	%		62.8	%
	Manufacturing accounts receivable from customers that accounted for more than 10% of consolidated receivables (including accounts receivable, net and accounts receivable, due from related parties) are outlined in the table below. The railcar leasing and railcar services segments had no customers that accounted for more than 10% of the consolidated receivables balance as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Manufacturing receivables from significant customers	43	%		22.6	%

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	Subsequent Events
	On October 16, 2014 (the Closing Date), the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Longtrain Leasing II, entered into a lease fleet financing facility for $100.0 million under a term loan agreement (Term Loan Facility), to support the growth of its leasing business. The Term Loan Facility matures in April 2015. The Term Loan Facility is the obligation of Longtrain Leasing II, is generally non-recourse to ARI, and is secured by a first lien on substantially all assets of Longtrain Leasing II, consisting of railcars, railcar leases, receivables and related assets, subject to limited exceptions.
	Subject to the provisions of the Term Loan Facility, the principal borrowed thereunder (the Loan) accrues interest at a rate determined by reference to an index or, subject to certain circumstances, at a base rate. For the portion of the Loan accruing interest at a rate determined by reference to an index, (i) except during a period when the lender for such portion of the Loan is funding and maintaining such portion of the Loan through the issuance of or other financing arrangement in respect of commercial paper, the sum of LIBOR (as determined under the Term Loan Facility) for such period plus the Applicable Margin (described below), and (ii) during a period when the lender for such portion of the Loan is funding and maintaining such portion of the Loan through the issuance of or other financing arrangement in respect of commercial paper, the sum of the applicable commercial paper rate (the CP Rate as determined under the Term Loan Facility) plus the Applicable Margin (described below). From and including the Closing Date and through and including the date that is six months from the Closing Date, the Applicable Margin is equal to a rate per annum of 1.45%. Thereafter, the Applicable Margin increases to a rate per annum equal to 2.95%. The interest rate increases by 2.0% following certain defaults. For the portion of the Loan accruing interest at the base rate, the interest rate is the higher of the federal funds rate designated by the Term Loan Facility, plus 0.5%, or the prime rate designated by the Term Loan Facility. Principal and interest payments are due monthly, with any remaining balance payable on the scheduled maturity date.
	On October 28, 2014, the board of directors of the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.40 per share of common stock of the Company to shareholders of record as of December 12, 2014 that will be paid on December 19, 2014.

Accounts_Receivable_net_Accoun1

Accounts Receivable, net Accounts Receivable, net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Summary of accounts receivable, net	'
	Accounts receivable, net, consist of the following:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Accounts receivable, gross	$	30,019		$	22,048
	Less allowance for doubtful accounts	(1,013		)	(109		)
	Total accounts receivable, net	$	29,006		$	21,939

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of inventories	'
	Inventories consist of the following:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Raw materials	$	73,385		$	63,319
	Work-in-process	14,775			19,975
	Finished products	19,843			9,205
	Total inventories	108,003			92,499
	Less reserves	(2,651		)	(2,314		)
	Total inventories, net	$	105,352		$	90,185

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Components of property, plant and equipment	'
	The following table summarizes depreciation expense:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Total depreciation expense	$	8,751		$	7,038		$	24,423	$	20,433
	Depreciation expense on leased railcars	$	4,295		$	2,573		$	11,285	$	6,988
	Note 6 — Property, Plant, Equipment and Railcars on Operating Leases, net
	The following table summarizes the components of property, plant, equipment and railcars on operating leases, net:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Operations / Corporate:
	Buildings	$	162,106		$	155,937
	Machinery and equipment	192,686			186,844
	Land	3,537			3,335
	Construction in process	12,895			14,487
		371,224			360,603
	Less accumulated depreciation	(211,890		)	(201,228		)
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	159,334		$	159,375
	Railcar Leasing:
	Railcars on operating leases	$	575,588		$	388,060
	Less accumulated depreciation	(26,752		)	(15,509		)
	Railcars on operating leases, net	$	548,836		$	372,551
Summary of future contractual minimum rental revenues required under non-cancellable operating leases for railcars	'
	As of September 30, 2014, future contractual minimum rental revenues required under non-cancellable operating leases for railcars with terms longer than one year are as follows (in thousands):
	Remaining 3 months of 2014	$	20,777
	2015	59,243
	2016	57,525
	2017	43,376
	2018	31,475
	2019 and thereafter	47,670
	Total	$	260,066

Investments_in_and_Loans_to_Jo1

Investments in and Loans to Joint Ventures (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'
Summary of financial information	'
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Carrying amount of investments in and loans to joint ventures
	Ohio Castings	$	8,551		$	7,378
	Axis	19,680			24,052
	Total investments in and loans to joint ventures	$	28,231		$	31,430
Ohio Castings [Member]	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'
Summary of financial information	'
	Summary financial results for Ohio Castings, the investee company, in total, are as follows:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2014			2013		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Results of operations
	Revenues	$	24,717		$	15,199	$	60,981		$	42,481
	Gross profit	$	2,961		$	1,334	$	5,896		$	2,239
	Net earnings (loss)	$	3,085		$	1,445	$	4,412		$	1,096
Axis [Member]	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'
Summary of financial information	'
	Summary financial results for Axis, the investee company, in total, are as follows:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2014			2013		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Results of operations
	Revenues	$	16,614		$	15,309	$	49,690		$	38,385
	Gross profit	$	(610	)	$	2,002	$	904		$	3,461
	Earnings before interest	$	(843	)	$	1,789	$	180		$	2,770
	Net earnings (loss)	$	(2,051	)	$	445	$	(3,523	)	$	(1,298	)

Warranties_Tables

Warranties (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Change in the Company's warranty reserve	'
	The overall change in the Company’s warranty reserve is reflected on the condensed consolidated balance sheet in accrued expenses and taxes and is detailed as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Liability, beginning of period	$	1,654		$	1,519		$	1,385		$	1,374
	Provision for warranties issued during the year, net of	335			226			931			1,103
	adjustments
	Adjustments to warranties issued during previous	(97		)	(314		)	(120		)	(710		)
	years
	Warranty claims	(248		)	(144		)	(552		)	(480		)
	Liability, end of period	$	1,644		$	1,287		$	1,644		$	1,287

Longterm_Debt_Tables

Long-term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]	'
Summary of remaining principal payments under existing debt agreements	'
	The remaining principal payments under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
	Remaining 3 months of 2014	$	2,653
	2015	10,612
	2016	10,612
	2017	10,612
	2018	13,703
	2019 and thereafter	263,415
	Total	$	311,607
Lease Fleet Financing [Member]	'
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]	'
Future Minimum Rental Revenues for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	'
	The future contractual minimum rental revenues related to the railcars pledged as of September 30, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
	Remaining 3 months of 2014	$	9,051
	2015	35,862
	2016	35,074
	2017	26,433
	2018	16,984
	2019 and thereafter	31,649
	Total	$	155,053

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of net periodic benefit cost for pension and postretirement plans	'
	The components of net periodic benefit cost for the pension and postretirement plans are as follows:
		Pension Benefits
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Service cost	$	56		$	49		$	170		$	148
	Interest cost	243			221			728			662
	Expected return on plan assets	(313		)	(279		)	(939		)	(836		)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss/prior service cost	69			194			208			582
	Net periodic cost recognized	$	55		$	185		$	167		$	556
		Postretirement Benefits
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Service cost	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1
	Interest cost	—			1			2			3
	Amortization of net actuarial gain/prior service credit	(14		)	(117		)	(43		)	(351		)
	Net periodic benefit recognized	$	(14	)	$	(116	)	$	(41	)	$	(347	)

Sharebased_Compensation_Tables

Share-based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of share-based compensation expense	'
	The following table presents the amounts incurred by ARI for share-based compensation, or stock appreciation rights (SARs) and the corresponding line items on the condensed consolidated statements of operations that they are classified within:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Share-based compensation expense
	Cost of revenues: Manufacturing	$	239	$	195	$	1,002	$	689
	Cost of revenues: Railcar Services	13		70		251		102
	Selling, general and administrative	288		900		3,259		3,449
	Total share-based compensation expense	$	540	$	1,165	$	4,512	$	4,240

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Summary of the balances of related after-tax components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'
	The following table presents the balances of related after-tax components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
		Accumulated			Accumulated			Accumulated			Accumulated
		Short-term			Currency			Postretirement			Other
		Investment			Translation			Transactions			Comprehensive
		Transactions									Income (Loss)
		(In thousands)
	Balance December 31, 2012	$	1,213		$	1,562		$	(3,162	)	$	(387	)
	Currency translation	—			(396		)	—			(396		)
	Unrealized gain on available for sale securities, net of tax effect of $51	93			—			—			93
	Reclassifications related to pension and postretirement plans, net of tax effect of $60 (1)	—			—			140			140
	Reclassifications related to available for sale securities, net of tax effect of $702 (2)	(1,306		)	—			—			(1,306		)
	Balance September 30, 2013	$	—		$	1,166		$	(3,022	)	$	(1,856	)
	Balance December 31, 2013	$	—		$	760		$	(2,254	)	$	(1,494	)
	Currency translation	—			(632		)	—			(632		)
	Reclassifications related to pension and	—			—			101			101
	postretirement plans, net of tax effect of $64 (1)
	Balance September 30, 2014	$	—		$	128		$	(2,153	)	$	(2,025	)
	(1)—	These accumulated other comprehensive income components relate to amortization of actuarial loss/(gain) and prior period service costs/(benefits) and are included in the computation of net periodic costs for our pension and postretirement plans. See Note 12 for further details and pre-tax amounts.
	(2)—	This accumulated other comprehensive income component relates to realized gains on available for sale securities sold. See Note 3 for further details and pre-tax amounts.

Operating_Segment_and_Sales_an1

Operating Segment and Sales and Credit Concentrations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Segment reporting information	'
	The information in the following table is derived from the segments’ internal financial reports used by the Company’s management for purposes of assessing segment performance and for making decisions about allocation of resources.
		Revenues											Earnings (Loss) from Operations
		External				Intersegment				Total			External			Intersegment			Total
		(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Manufacturing	$	128,270			$	143,706			$	271,976		$	30,696		$	44,017		$	74,713
	Railcar Leasing	17,219				—				17,219			9,473			(7		)	9,466
	Railcar Services	17,353				38				17,391			2,674			10			2,684
	Corporate/Eliminations	—				(143,744		)		(143,744		)	(3,564		)	(44,020		)	(47,584		)
	Total Consolidated	$	162,842			$	—			$	162,842		$	39,279		$	—		$	39,279
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Manufacturing	$	170,943			$	34,824			$	205,767		$	32,075		$	9,633		$	41,708
	Railcar Leasing	8,301				—				8,301			4,155			5			4,160
	Railcar Services	19,655				31				19,686			3,292			(13		)	3,279
	Corporate/Eliminations	—				(34,855		)		(34,855		)	(3,896		)	(9,625		)	(13,521		)
	Total Consolidated	$	198,899			$	—			$	198,899		$	35,626		$	—		$	35,626
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Manufacturing	$	488,597			$	269,040			$	757,637		$	108,948		$	83,374		$	192,322
	Railcar Leasing	42,850				—				42,850			23,102			(40		)	23,062
	Railcar Services	51,019				222				51,241			7,971			58			8,029
	Corporate/Eliminations	—				(269,262		)		(269,262		)	(12,385		)	(83,392		)	(95,777		)
	Total Consolidated	$	582,466			$	—			$	582,466		$	127,636		$	—		$	127,636
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Manufacturing	$	476,160			$	135,315			$	611,475		$	98,834		$	29,541		$	128,375
	Railcar Leasing	22,371				—				22,371			9,963			17			9,980
	Railcar Services	54,882				126				55,008			9,680			(11		)	9,669
	Corporate/Eliminations	—				(135,441		)		(135,441		)	(11,753		)	(29,547		)	(41,300		)
	Total Consolidated	$	553,413			$	—			$	553,413		$	106,724		$	—		$	106,724
	Total Assets	September 30,				December 31,
		2014				2013
		(in thousands)
	Manufacturing	$	327,816			$	298,951
	Railcar Leasing	746,340				478,000
	Railcar Services	53,739				52,150
	Corporate/Eliminations	(97,971		)		(3,492		)
	Total Consolidated	$	1,029,924			$	825,609
Schedule of sales to related parties	'
	Below is a summary of revenue from affiliates for each operating segment reflected as a percentage of total consolidated revenues.
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Manufacturing	38.5	%		32.9	%		33.5	%		26.8	%
	Railcar Leasing	—	%		—	%		—	%		—	%
	Railcar Services	3	%		2.2	%		2.3	%		2.4	%
Sales Revenue, Segment [Member]	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Schedules of sales and credit concentration	'
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Manufacturing revenues from significant customers	51.3	%		67.2	%		44.9	%		62.8	%
Accounts Receivable [Member]	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Schedules of sales and credit concentration	'
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Manufacturing receivables from significant customers	43	%		22.6	%

Short_term_Investments_Availab

Short term Investments - Available for Sale Securities (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Proceeds from sale of equity	$0	$12,699,000
Greenbrier [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Number of shares sold during period (in shares)	'	0.8
Proceeds from sale of equity	'	12,700,000
Realized gains	'	$2,000,000

Accounts_Receivable_net_Accoun2

Accounts Receivable, net Accounts Receivable, net (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'
Accounts receivable, gross	$30,019	$22,048
Less allowance for doubtful accounts	-1,013	-109
Total accounts receivable, net	$29,006	$21,939

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials	$73,385	$63,319
Work-in-process	14,775	19,975
Finished products	19,843	9,205
Total inventories	108,003	92,499
Less reserves	-2,651	-2,314
Total inventories, net	$105,352	$90,185

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Components of property, plant and equipment	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	$159,334	$159,375
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease, Net	548,836	372,551
Operations / Corporate: [Member]	'	'
Components of property, plant and equipment	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	371,224	360,603
Less accumulated depreciation	-211,890	-201,228
Property, plant and equipment, net	159,334	159,375
Railcar Leasing [Member]	'	'
Components of property, plant and equipment	'	'
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease, Gross	575,588	388,060
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease, Accumulated Depreciation	26,752	15,509
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease, Net	548,836	372,551
Buildings [Member] | Operations / Corporate: [Member]	'	'
Components of property, plant and equipment	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	162,106	155,937
Machinery and equipment [Member] | Operations / Corporate: [Member]	'	'
Components of property, plant and equipment	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	192,686	186,844
Land [Member] | Operations / Corporate: [Member]	'	'
Components of property, plant and equipment	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	3,537	3,335
Construction in process [Member] | Operations / Corporate: [Member]	'	'
Components of property, plant and equipment	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$12,895	$14,487

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D1

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details 1) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable [Abstract]	'
Remaining 3 months of 2014	$20,777
2015	59,243
2016	57,525
2017	43,376
2018	31,475
2019 and thereafter	47,670
Total	$260,066

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D2

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Total depreciation expense	$8,751	$7,038	$24,423	$20,433
Depreciation expense on leased railcars	$4,295	$2,573	$11,285	$6,988

Goodwill_Details

Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Goodwill	$7,169	$7,169

Investments_in_and_Loans_to_Jo2

Investments in and Loans to Joint Ventures (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Carrying amount of investments in and loans to joint ventures	'	'
Total investments in and loans to joint ventures	$28,231	$31,430
Ohio Castings [Member]	'	'
Carrying amount of investments in and loans to joint ventures	'	'
Total investments in and loans to joint ventures	8,551	7,378
Axis [Member]	'	'
Carrying amount of investments in and loans to joint ventures	'	'
Total investments in and loans to joint ventures	$19,680	$24,052

Investments_in_and_Loans_to_Jo3

Investments in and Loans to Joint Ventures (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total investments in and loans to joint ventures	$28,231	'	$28,231	'	$31,430
Ohio Castings [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total investments in and loans to joint ventures	8,551	'	8,551	'	7,378
Results of operations	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	24,717	15,199	60,981	42,481	'
Gross profit	2,961	1,334	5,896	2,239	'
Net earnings (loss)	3,085	1,445	4,412	1,096	'
Axis [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total investments in and loans to joint ventures	19,680	'	19,680	'	24,052
Results of operations	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	16,614	15,309	49,690	38,385	'
Gross profit	-610	2,002	904	3,461	'
Income (loss) before interest	-843	1,789	180	2,770	'
Net earnings (loss)	($2,051)	$445	($3,523)	($1,298)	'

Investments_in_and_Loans_to_Jo4

Investments in and Loans to Joint Ventures (Details Textual) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 27, 2013

Axis Credit Agreement [Member]

Axis Credit Agreement [Member]

Axis Credit Agreement [Member]

Ohio Castings [Member]

Axis [Member]

Amtek Railcar [Member]

Amtek Railcar [Member]

Amtek Railcar [Member]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of interest held in joint venture

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

33.30%

41.90%

'

'

50.00%

Minority partner in joint venture

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9.70%

'

'

'

Other significant partner in joint venture

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

48.40%

'

'

'

Interest rate

'

'

'

'

7.75%

7.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance outstanding on loans

'

'

'

'

$30,000,000

'

$32,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments

$3,000

($505,000)

($263,000)

($2,282,000)

'

'

'

'

'

$2,000,000

$4,000,000

'

Warranties_Details

Warranties (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Change in the Company's warranty reserve	'	'	'	'
Liability, beginning of period	$1,654	$1,519	$1,385	$1,374
Provision for warranties issued during the year, net of adjustments	335	226	931	1,103
Adjustments to warranties issued during previous years	-97	-314	-120	-710
Warranty claims	-248	-144	-552	-480
Liability, end of period	$1,644	$1,287	$1,644	$1,287

Longterm_Debt_Details

Long-term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Summary of future contractual minimum rental revenues required under non-cancellable operating leases for railcars	'
Remaining 3 months of 2014	$20,777
2015	59,243
2016	57,525
2017	43,376
2018	31,475
2019 and thereafter	47,670
Total	260,066
Lease Fleet Financing [Member]	'
Summary of future contractual minimum rental revenues required under non-cancellable operating leases for railcars	'
Remaining 3 months of 2014	9,051
2015	35,862
2016	35,074
2017	26,433
2018	16,984
2019 and thereafter	31,649
Total	$155,053

Longterm_Debt_Details_1

Long-term Debt (Details 1) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Summary of remaining principal payments under existing debt agreements [Line Items]	'
Remaining 3 months of 2014	$2,653
2015	10,612
2016	10,612
2017	10,612
2018	13,703
2019 and thereafter	263,415
Total	$311,607

Longterm_Debt_Details_Textual

Long-term Debt (Details Textual) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 01, 2013

Sep. 04, 2012

Feb. 28, 2007

Jan. 15, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Jan. 15, 2014

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Refinanced Term Loan [Member]

Original Term Loan [Member]

Refinanced Term Loan [Member]

Refinanced Term Loan [Member]

Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]

Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]

Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]

Refinanced Term Loan [Member]

Refinanced Term Loan [Member]

Refinanced Term Loan [Member]

Original Term Loan [Member]

Original Term Loan [Member]

Original Term Loan [Member]

Original Term Loan [Member]

Original Term Loan [Member]

Original Term Loan [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Longtrain Leasing I [Member]

Longtrain Leasing I [Member]

Longtrain Leasing I [Member]

Longtrain Leasing I [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

one-month LIBOR [Member]

Refinanced Term Loan [Member]

Longtrain Leasing I [Member]

one-month LIBOR [Member]

Longtrain Leasing I [Member]

Longtrain Leasing I [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Longtrain Leasing I [Member]

Longtrain Leasing I [Member]

Longtrain Leasing I [Member]

Longtrain Leasing I [Member]

Longtrain Leasing I [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Longtrain Leasing I [Member]

Refinanced Term Loan [Member]

Longtrain Leasing I [Member]

Longtrain Leasing I [Member]

Longtrain Leasing I [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term Loan Cure Period Maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'135 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term Loan Cure Period Minimum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'75 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Initial value of debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$275,000,000

$316,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt

'

'

318,682,000

99,841,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

122,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notes redeemed

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

175,000,000

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

194,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Extinguishment of Debt as percentage of principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

101.88%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed interest rate of the notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss on debt extinguishment

0

0

-1,896,000

-392,000

'

'

'

'

'

-400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt

311,607,000

'

311,607,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

311,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

194,800,000

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Maximum Additional Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of additional draws on term loan (in loans)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from secured debt, net of fees and expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

98,400,000

'

99,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

Additional draw under term loan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

99,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of term loan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

311,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

194,800,000

'

'

'

'

Base interest rate on credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.50%

'

'

2.00%

Interest Rate at balance sheet date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.70%

'

'

2.20%

'

Debt Instrument Interest Rate Increase Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.00%

'

'

Interest reserve amount for term loan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,900,000

3,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum Loan to Value Percentage of Net Aggregate Equipment Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

80.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease, Net

$548,836,000

'

$548,836,000

'

$372,551,000

$306,400,000

$216,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Service Coverage Ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.05

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'	'	'
Components of net periodic cost (benefit) for pension and postretirement plans	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$56	$49	$170	$148
Interest cost	243	221	728	662
Expected return on plan assets	-313	-279	-939	-836
Defined Benefit Plan Amortization Of Actuarial Loss Gain And Prior Service Cost Credit	69	194	208	582
Net periodic cost recognized	55	185	167	556
Postretirement Benefits [Member]	'	'	'	'
Components of net periodic cost (benefit) for pension and postretirement plans	'	'	'	'
Service cost	0	0	0	1
Interest cost	0	1	2	3
Defined Benefit Plan Amortization Of Actuarial Loss Gain And Prior Service Cost Credit	-14	-117	-43	-351
Net periodic cost recognized	($14)	($116)	($41)	($347)

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details1

Employee Benefit Plans (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
	plan		plan
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Number of total defined benefit plans	3	'	3	'
Number of repair pension plans	2	'	2	'
Expenses related to qualified defined contribution plans	$300	$200	$700	$742

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies (Details)	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Number of repair facilities with labor union collective bargaining agreements	2

Sharebased_Compensation_Detail

Share-based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$540	$1,165	$4,512	$4,240
Cost of revenues: Manufacturing [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	239	195	1,002	689
Cost of revenues: Railcar services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	13	70	251	102
Selling, general and administrative [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$288	$900	$3,259	$3,449

Sharebased_Compensation_Detail1

Share-based Compensation (Details Textual) (SARs Grant [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
SARs Grant [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Unrecognized compensation costs related to the unvested portion of SARs	$1.90
Period over which compensation cost expected to be realized	'26 months

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended					9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
			Accumulated Short-term Investment Transactions [Member]	Accumulated Short-term Investment Transactions [Member]	Accumulated Short-term Investment Transactions [Member]	Accumulated Currency Translation [Member]	Accumulated Currency Translation [Member]	Accumulated Postretirement Transactions [Member]		Accumulated Postretirement Transactions [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'		'
Beginning Balance	($1,494)	($387)	$1,213	$0	$0	$760	$1,562	($2,254)		($3,162)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Unamortized Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Tax	64	60	'	'	'	'	'	'		'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities, before Reclassification Adjustments, Tax	0	51	'	'	'	'	'	'		'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Tax	0	702	'	'	'	'	'	'		'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	'	'	93	'	'	-632	-396	'		'
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	'	'	-1,306	'	'	'	'	101	[1]	140	[1]
Ending Balance	($2,025)	($1,856)	$0	$0	$0	$128	$1,166	($2,153)		($3,022)
[1]	(1)—These accumulated other comprehensive income components relate to amortization of actuarial loss/(gain) and prior period service costs/(benefits) and are included in the computation of net periodic costs for our pension and postretirement plans. See Note 12 for further details and pre-tax amounts.

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2009

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Axis [Member]

Term Loan and Credit Agreement [Member]

Term Loan and Credit Agreement [Member]

M.W. Recycling [Member]

M.W. Recycling [Member]

M.W. Recycling [Member]

M.W. Recycling [Member]

Joint Ventures [Member]

Joint Ventures [Member]

Joint Ventures [Member]

Joint Ventures [Member]

Joint Ventures [Member]

Insight Portfolio [Member]

Insight Portfolio [Member]

Insight Portfolio [Member]

Insight Portfolio [Member]

Purchasing and Engineering Services Agreement [Member]

Purchasing and Engineering Services Agreement [Member]

Purchasing and Engineering Services Agreement [Member]

Purchasing and Engineering Services Agreement [Member]

Railcar services agreement [Member]

Railcar services agreement [Member]

Railcar services agreement [Member]

Railcar services agreement [Member]

Railcar management agreement [Member]

Railcar management agreement [Member]

Railcar management agreement [Member]

Railcar management agreement [Member]

Railcar management agreement [Member]

Railcar orders [Member]

Railcar orders [Member]

Railcar orders [Member]

Railcar orders [Member]

Manufacturing services agreement [Member]

Manufacturing services agreement [Member]

Manufacturing services agreement [Member]

Manufacturing services agreement [Member]

Axis [Member]

Axis [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

ACF [Member]

ACF [Member]

ACF [Member]

ACF [Member]

ARL [Member]

ARL [Member]

ARL [Member]

ARL [Member]

ARL [Member]

ARL [Member]

ARL [Member]

ARL [Member]

ARL [Member]

IELP Entities [Member]

IELP Entities [Member]

IELP Entities [Member]

IELP Entities [Member]

ACF [Member]

ACF [Member]

ACF [Member]

ACF [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Related Party Transactions (Textual) [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Component purchases from ACF

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,300,000

$100,000

$2,200,000

$100,000

Percentage of consideration under agreement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30.00%

30.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term of agreement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Service Agreement Renewal Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'P1Y

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notes receivable

'

'

'

'

'

'

30,000,000

32,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expense with related parties

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

33,500,000

23,500,000

93,900,000

63,600,000

'

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200,000

'

400,000

300,000

100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Railcar leasing cost of revenues

6,319,000

3,524,000

16,192,000

9,729,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,600,000

600,000

3,400,000

1,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue from related parties

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,400,000

1,500,000

6,700,000

4,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,300,000

3,400,000

16,100,000

6,600,000

4,900,000

4,300,000

13,600,000

13,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

54,100,000

62,400,000

179,000,000

142,000,000

'

'

'

'

Company's Interest in credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Inventory, Net

$105,352,000

'

$105,352,000

'

$90,185,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$5,900,000

'

$5,900,000

'

$6,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating_Segment_and_Sales_an2

Operating Segment and Sales and Credit Concentrations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
			segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Number of Reportable Segments	'	'	3	'	'
Total revenues	$162,842	$198,899	$582,466	$553,413	'
Earnings from operations	39,279	35,626	127,636	106,724	'
Total Assets	1,029,924	'	1,029,924	'	825,609
Manufacturing [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	271,976	205,767	757,637	611,475	'
Earnings from operations	74,713	41,708	192,322	128,375	'
Total Assets	327,816	'	327,816	'	298,951
Railcar Leasing [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	17,219	8,301	42,850	22,371	'
Earnings from operations	9,466	4,160	23,062	9,980	'
Total Assets	746,340	'	746,340	'	478,000
Railcar Services [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	17,391	19,686	51,241	55,008	'
Earnings from operations	2,684	3,279	8,029	9,669	'
Total Assets	53,739	'	53,739	'	52,150
Corporate And Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	-143,744	-34,855	-269,262	-135,441	'
Earnings from operations	-47,584	-13,521	-95,777	-41,300	'
Total Assets	-97,971	'	-97,971	'	-3,492
Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	162,842	198,899	582,466	553,413	'
Earnings from operations	39,279	35,626	127,636	106,724	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Manufacturing [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	128,270	170,943	488,597	476,160	'
Earnings from operations	30,696	32,075	108,948	98,834	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Railcar Leasing [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	17,219	8,301	42,850	22,371	'
Earnings from operations	9,473	4,155	23,102	9,963	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Railcar Services [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	17,353	19,655	51,019	54,882	'
Earnings from operations	2,674	3,292	7,971	9,680	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Corporate And Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	0	0	0	0	'
Earnings from operations	-3,564	-3,896	-12,385	-11,753	'
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	0	0	0	0	'
Earnings from operations	0	0	0	0	'
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Manufacturing [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	143,706	34,824	269,040	135,315	'
Earnings from operations	44,017	9,633	83,374	29,541	'
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Railcar Leasing [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	0	0	0	0	'
Earnings from operations	-7	5	-40	17	'
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Railcar Services [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	38	31	222	126	'
Earnings from operations	10	-13	58	-11	'
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Corporate And Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	-143,744	-34,855	-269,262	-135,441	'
Earnings from operations	($44,020)	($9,625)	($83,392)	($29,547)	'

Operating_Segment_and_Sales_an3

Operating Segment and Sales and Credit Concentrations (Details 2)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Manufacturing [Member]

Manufacturing [Member]

Manufacturing [Member]

Manufacturing [Member]

Railcar Leasing [Member]

Railcar Leasing [Member]

Railcar Leasing [Member]

Railcar Leasing [Member]

Railcar Services [Member]

Railcar Services [Member]

Railcar Services [Member]

Railcar Services [Member]

Sales Revenue, Segment [Member]

Sales Revenue, Segment [Member]

Sales Revenue, Segment [Member]

Sales Revenue, Segment [Member]

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Manufacturing [Member]

Manufacturing [Member]

Manufacturing [Member]

Manufacturing [Member]

Manufacturing [Member]

Manufacturing [Member]

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of revenue from affiliates

38.50%

32.90%

33.50%

26.80%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

3.00%

2.20%

2.30%

2.40%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of total consolidated revenues from significant customers

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

51.30%

67.20%

44.90%

62.80%

'

'

Percentage of total consolidated accounts receivable from significant customers

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

43.00%

22.60%

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (Subsequent Event [Member], USD $)	Oct. 28, 2014	Oct. 16, 2014	Oct. 16, 2014	Oct. 16, 2014
		Term Loan [Member]	Term Loan [Member]	Term Loan [Member]
		Loan Facility October 2014 [Member]	Loan Facility October 2014 [Member]	Loan Facility October 2014 [Member]
		Longtrain Leasing II [Member]	Variable Rate, Period One [Member]	Variable Rate, Period Two [Member]
			Longtrain Leasing II [Member]	Longtrain Leasing II [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of secured debt	'	$100,000,000	'	'
Interest rate margin on loan (percent)	'	0.50%	1.45%	2.95%
Interest rate increase (percentage)	'	2.00%	'	'
Cash dividend declared (usd per share)	$0.40	'	'	'