The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. (GBX) 10-K 31 Oct 13 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Oct. 24, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Aug-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Trading Symbol	'GBX	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'GREENBRIER COMPANIES INC	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000923120	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--08-31	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	28,073,550	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$495,035,003

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$97,435	$53,571
Restricted cash	8,807	6,277
Accounts receivable, net	154,848	146,326
Inventories	316,783	316,741
Leased railcars for syndication	68,480	97,798
Equipment on operating leases, net	305,468	362,968
Property, plant and equipment, net	201,533	182,429
Goodwill	57,416	137,066
Intangibles and other assets, net	78,971	81,368
Total assets	1,289,741	1,384,544
Liabilities and Equity	'	'
Revolving notes	48,209	60,755
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	315,938	329,508
Deferred income taxes	86,040	95,363
Deferred revenue	8,838	17,194
Notes payable	373,889	428,079
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 22 & 23)	'	'
Greenbrier	'	'
Preferred stock - without par value; 25,000 shares authorized; none outstanding	'	'
Common stock - without par value; 50,000 shares authorized; 28,084 and 27,143 outstanding at August 31, 2013 and 2012	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	259,864	252,256
Retained earnings	174,842	185,890
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-6,504	-6,369
Total equity Greenbrier	428,202	431,777
Noncontrolling interest	28,625	21,868
Total equity	456,827	453,645
Liabilities and Equity, Total	$1,289,741	$1,384,544

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Preferred stock, without par value	'	'
Preferred stock, shares authorized	25,000	25,000
Preferred stock, outstanding	'	'
Common stock, without par value	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000	50,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	28,084	27,143

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013		31-May-13		Feb. 28, 2013		Nov. 30, 2012		Aug. 31, 2012		31-May-12		Feb. 28, 2012		Nov. 30, 2011		Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 31, 2012		Aug. 31, 2011
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'
Manufacturing	$351,728		$284,591		$294,047		$285,368		$306,172		$364,930		$320,206		$262,656		$1,215,734		$1,253,964		$721,102
Wheels, Repair & Parts	114,003		131,167		111,952		112,100		119,077		125,145		119,894		117,749		469,222		481,865		452,865
Leasing & Services	18,484		17,905		17,167		17,906		18,285		17,722		18,086		17,794		71,462		71,887		69,323
Revenue	484,215		433,663		423,166		415,374		443,534		507,797		458,186		398,199		1,756,418	[1]	1,807,716	[1]	1,243,290	[1]
Cost of revenue	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'
Manufacturing	308,387		253,360		262,650		258,492		269,921		325,424		290,851		236,188		1,082,889		1,122,384		661,127
Wheels, Repair & Parts	106,415		120,476		103,134		101,476		109,486		111,610		106,554		105,891		431,501		433,541		405,449
Leasing & Services	9,113		9,808		9,107		7,627		9,588		8,825		9,295		9,663		35,655		37,371		37,183
Cost of revenue	423,915		383,644		374,891		367,595		388,995		445,859		406,700		351,742		1,550,045		1,593,296		1,103,759
Margin	60,300		50,019		48,275		47,779		54,539		61,938		51,486		46,457		206,373		214,420		139,531
Selling and administrative	26,811		25,322		24,942		26,100		27,598		28,784		24,979		23,235		103,175		104,596		80,326
Net gain on disposition of equipment	-8,457		-5,131		-3,076		-1,408		-67		-2,585		-2,654		-3,658		-18,072		-8,964		-8,369
Goodwill impairment	'		76,900		'		'		'		'		'		'		76,900	[2]	'		'
Restructuring charges	2,719		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		2,719		'		'
Earnings from operations	39,227		-47,072		26,409		23,087		27,008		35,739		29,161		26,880		41,651		118,788		67,574
Other costs	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'
Interest and foreign exchange	4,031		5,905		6,322		5,900		6,236		6,560		6,630		5,383		22,158		24,809		36,992
Loss on extinguishment of debt	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		15,657
Earnings (loss) before income tax and earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates	35,196		-52,977		20,087		17,187		20,772		29,179		22,531		21,497		19,493		93,979		14,925
Income tax expense	-12,155		-2,729		-5,590		-4,586		-10,593		-8,655		-5,348		-7,797		-25,060		-32,393		-3,564
Earnings (loss) before earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		-5,567		61,586		11,361
Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates	249		82		-105		-40		-317		201		72		-372		186		-416		-2,974
Net earnings	23,290		-55,624		14,392		12,561		9,862		20,725		17,255		13,328		-5,381		61,170		8,387
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	-2,574		-406		-553		-2,134		-2,458		-1,608		415		1,189		-5,667		-2,462		-1,921
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier	$20,716		($56,030)		$13,839		$10,427		$7,404		$19,117		$17,670		$14,517		($11,048)		$58,708		$6,466
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:	$0.74	[3]	($2.10)	[3]	$0.51	[3]	$0.38	[3]	$0.27		$0.71		$0.66		$0.57		($0.41)	[3]	$2.21		$0.27
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:	$0.64	[4]	($2.10)	[4]	$0.45	[4]	$0.35	[4]	$0.26	[5]	$0.61	[5]	$0.57	[5]	$0.48	[5]	($0.41)	[4]	$1.91	[5],[6]	$0.24
Weighted average common shares:	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'
Basic	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		26,678	[7]	26,572	[7]	24,100	[7]
Diluted	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		26,678		33,718		26,501
[1]	Revenue is presented on the basis of geographic location of customers.
[2]	Goodwill impairment relates to the non-cash goodwill impairment charge recognized as part of the Company's annual goodwill impairment analysis as further discussed below.
[3]	Quarterly amounts do not total to the year to date amount as each period is calculated discretely.
[4]	Quarterly amounts do not total to the year to date amount as each period is calculated discretely. For the first, second and fourth quarters, diluted earnings per common share includes the outstanding warrants using the treasury stock method and the dilutive effect of shares underlying the 2018 Convertible Notes using the "if converted" method in which debt issuance and interest costs, net of tax, were added back to net earnings.
[5]	Quarterly amounts do not total to the year to date amount as each period is calculated discretely. Dilutive earnings per common share includes the outstanding warrants using the treasury stock method and the dilutive effect of shares underlying the 2018 Convertible Notes using the "if converted" method in which debt issuance and interest costs, net of tax, were added back to net earnings.
[6]	Diluted earnings per share was calculated as follows: Earnings before interest and debt issuance costs on convertible notes Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding
[7]	Restricted stock grants and restricted stock units, including some grants subject to certain performance criteria, are included in weighted average basic common shares outstanding when the Company is in a net earnings position. Weighted average basic common shares outstanding exclude 0.9 million shares of unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units for the year ended August 31, 2013 as they are anti-dilutive due to a net loss. No restricted stock or warrants were anti-dilutive for the years ended August 31, 2012 and 2011.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Aug. 31, 2013

31-May-13

Feb. 28, 2013

Nov. 30, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

31-May-12

Feb. 28, 2012

Nov. 30, 2011

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2011

Net earnings (loss)

$23,290

($55,624)

$14,392

$12,561

$9,862

$20,725

$17,255

$13,328

($5,381)

$61,170

$8,387

Other comprehensive income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Translation adjustment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,056

-4,168

2,205

Reclassification of derivative financial instruments recognized in net earnings (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-561

[1]

4,988

[1]

-1,029

[1]

Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-399

[2]

708

[2]

-1,861

[2]

Other (net of tax effect)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-203

-130

-6

Other comprehensive income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-107

1,398

-691

Comprehensive income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-5,488

62,568

7,696

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-5,695

-2,334

-1,921

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Greenbrier

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($11,183)

$60,234

$5,775

[1]

Net of tax of effect of $0.3 million, $1.3 million and $0.7 million for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

[2]

Net of tax of effect of $0.2 million, $0.3 million and $1.0 million for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Reclassification of derivative financial instruments recognized in net earnings, tax	$0.30	$1.30	$0.70
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments, tax	$0.20	$0.30	$1

Consolidated_Statements_of_Equ

Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock Shares	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Total Attributable to Greenbrier	Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
In Thousands, except Share data	USD ($)		USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)
Balance at Aug. 31, 2010	$297,407	'	$172,426	$120,716	($7,204)	$285,938	$11,469
Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2010	'	21,875,000	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings	8,387	'	'	6,466	'	6,466	1,921
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	-691	'	'	'	-691	-691	'
Noncontrolling interest adjustments	938	'	'	'	'	'	938
Net proceeds from equity offering (in shares)	'	3,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Net proceeds from equity offering	62,760	'	62,760	'	'	62,760	'
Restricted stock awards (net of cancellations and expense) (in shares)	'	306,000	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock awards (net of cancellations and expense)	7,197	'	7,197	'	'	7,197	'
Unamortized restricted stock	-7,197	'	-7,197	'	'	-7,197	'
Restricted stock amortization	7,073	'	7,073	'	'	7,073	'
Stock options exercised (in shares)	5,500	5,000	'	'	'	'	'
Stock options exercised	27	'	27	'	'	27	'
Balance at Aug. 31, 2011	375,901	'	242,286	127,182	-7,895	361,573	14,328
Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2011	'	25,186,000	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings	61,170	'	'	58,708	'	58,708	2,462
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	1,398	'	'	'	1,526	1,526	-128
Noncontrolling interest adjustments	3,844	'	'	'	'	'	3,844
Investment by joint venture partner	1,362	'	'	'	'	'	1,362
Restricted stock awards (net of cancellations and expense) (in shares)	'	461,000	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock awards (net of cancellations and expense)	9,392	'	9,392	'	'	9,392	'
Unamortized restricted stock	-9,392	'	-9,392	'	'	-9,392	'
Restricted stock amortization	8,343	'	8,343	'	'	8,343	'
Excess tax benefit from restricted stock awards	1,627	'	1,627	'	'	1,627	'
Warrants exercised	'	1,496,000	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at Aug. 31, 2012	453,645	'	252,256	185,890	-6,369	431,777	21,868
Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2012	'	27,143,000	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings	-5,381	'	'	-11,048	'	-11,048	5,667
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	-107	'	'	'	-135	-135	28
Noncontrolling interest adjustments	-2,144	'	'	'	'	'	-2,144
Investment by joint venture partner	3,206	'	'	'	'	'	3,206
Restricted stock awards (net of cancellations and expense) (in shares)	'	27,000	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock awards (net of cancellations and expense)	8,913	'	8,913	'	'	8,913	'
Unamortized restricted stock	-8,921	'	-8,921	'	'	-8,921	'
Restricted stock amortization	6,716	'	6,716	'	'	6,716	'
Excess tax benefit from restricted stock awards	900	'	900	'	'	900	'
Warrants exercised	'	914,000	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at Aug. 31, 2013	$456,827	'	$259,864	$174,842	($6,504)	$428,202	$28,625
Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2013	'	28,084,000	'	'	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:	'		'	'
Net earnings (loss)	($5,381)		$61,170	$8,387
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'		'	'
Deferred income taxes	-9,662		11,617	2,399
Depreciation and amortization	41,447		42,371	38,293
Net gain on disposition of equipment	-18,072		-8,964	-5,121
Accretion of debt discount	2,455		3,259	6,583
Stock based compensation expense	6,302		8,757	7,073
Goodwill impairment	76,900	[1]	'	'
Loss on extinguishment of debt (non-cash portion)	'		'	8,453
Other	-1,055		4,905	-311
Decrease (increase) in assets:	'		'	'
Accounts receivable	-7,323		37,763	-96,552
Inventories	19,045		3,709	-116,866
Leased railcars for syndication	22,881		-76,071	-20,839
Other	969		'	8,863
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:	'		'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-15,429		16,236	130,673
Deferred revenue	-8,485		11,304	-5,287
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	104,592		116,056	-34,252
Cash flows from investing activities:	'		'	'
Proceeds from sales of assets	75,338		33,560	18,730
Capital expenditures	-60,827		-117,885	-84,302
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	-2,530		-4,164	412
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	-2,240		-506	-2,330
Other	-3,582		48	-1,774
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	6,159		-88,947	-69,264
Cash flows from financing activities:	'		'	'
Net changes in revolving notes with maturities of 90 days or less	-16,396		-57,302	71,625
Proceeds from revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days	38,177		63,773	25,159
Repayments of revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days	-34,966		-33,934	-10,000
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable	2,186		2,750	231,250
Debt issuance costs	'		'	-11,469
Repayments of notes payable	-58,831		-7,070	-311,360
Proceeds from equity offering	'		'	63,180
Expenses from equity offering	'		'	-420
Excess tax benefit from restricted stock awards	900		1,627	'
Investment by joint venture partner	3,206		1,362	'
Other	-8		'	26
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-65,732		-28,794	57,991
Effect of exchange rate changes	-1,155		5,034	-3,117
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	43,864		3,349	-48,642
Cash and cash equivalents	'		'	'
Beginning of period	53,571		50,222	98,864
End of period	97,435		53,571	50,222
Cash paid during the period for:	'		'	'
Interest	14,964		12,737	27,872
Income taxes, net	29,680		8,601	677
Non-cash activity	'		'	'
Transfer of Leased railcars for syndication to Equipment on operating leases	6,437		8,963	'
Transfer of Equipment on operating leases to Inventories	17,826		'	'
Transfer of Property, plant and equipment, net to Intangibles and other assets, net	$1,856		'	'
[1]	Goodwill impairment relates to the non-cash goodwill impairment charge recognized as part of the Company's annual goodwill impairment analysis as further discussed below.

Nature_of_Operations

Nature of Operations	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Nature of Operations	'
	Note 1 - Nature of Operations
	The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. and its subsidiaries (Greenbrier or the Company) currently operate in three primary business segments: Manufacturing; Wheels, Repair & Parts; and Leasing & Services. The three business segments are operationally integrated. With operations in the United States (U.S.), Mexico and Poland, the Manufacturing segment produces double-stack intermodal railcars, conventional railcars, tank cars and marine vessels. The Wheels, Repair & Parts segment performs railcar repair, refurbishment and maintenance activities in North America as well as wheel and axle servicing and production of a variety of parts for the railroad industry. The Leasing & Services segment owns approximately 8,600 railcars and provides management services for approximately 224,000 railcars for railroads, shippers, carriers, institutional investors and other leasing and transportation companies in North America. Greenbrier also produces railcar castings through an unconsolidated joint venture.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Principles of consolidation - The financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries in which it has a controlling interest. All intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated upon consolidation.
	Unclassified Balance Sheet - The balance sheets of the Company are presented in an unclassified format as a result of significant leasing activities for which the current or non-current distinction is not relevant. In addition, the activities of the Manufacturing; Wheels, Repair & Parts; and Leasing & Services segments are so intertwined that in the opinion of management, any attempt to separate the respective balance sheet categories would not be meaningful and may lead to the development of misleading conclusions by the reader.
	Foreign currency translation - Certain operations outside the U.S., primarily in Poland, prepare financial statements in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates for the year, while assets and liabilities are translated at year-end exchange rates. Translation adjustments are accumulated as a separate component of equity in other comprehensive income (loss). The foreign currency translation adjustment balances were $4.9 million, $6.0 million and $1.9 million as of August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
	Cash and cash equivalents - Cash may temporarily be invested primarily in money market funds. All highly-liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of acquisition are considered cash equivalents.
	Restricted cash- Restricted cash relates to amounts held in restricted accounts to support a target minimum rate of return as part of an agreement further described in Note 26 – Variable Interest Entities and a pass through account for activity related to management services provided for certain third party customers.
	Accounts receivable - Accounts receivable are stated net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3.9 million and $3.5 million as of August 31, 2013 and 2012.
		As of August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Allowance for doubtful accounts
	Balance at beginning of period	$	3,525		$	3,913		$	3,931
	Additions, net of reversals		543			641			351
	Usage		(285	)		(663	)		(673	)
	Currency translation effect		111			(366	)		304
	Balance at end of period	$	3,894		$	3,525		$	3,913
	Inventories - Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market primarily using the first-in first-out method. Work-in-process includes material, labor and overhead.
	Leased railcars for syndication - Leased railcars for syndication consist of newly-built railcars manufactured at one of the Company’s facilities or railcars purchased from a third party, which have been placed on lease to a customer and which the Company intends to sell to an investor with the lease attached. These railcars are not depreciated and are generally anticipated to be sold within six months of delivery of the last railcar or six months from when the Company acquires the railcar from a third party. The Company does not believe any economic value of a railcar is lost in the first six months; therefore the Company does not depreciate these assets. In the event the railcars are not sold, the railcars are transferred to Equipment on operating leases and depreciated.
	Equipment on operating leases, net - Equipment on operating leases is stated net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation to estimated salvage value is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of up to thirty-five years. Management periodically reviews salvage value estimates based on current scrap prices and what the Company expects to receive upon disposal.
	Property, plant and equipment - Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided on the straight-line method over estimated useful lives which are as follows:
		Depreciable Life
	Buildings and improvements		10 – 25 years
	Machinery and equipment		3 – 15 years
	Other		3 – 7 years
	Goodwill - Goodwill is recorded when the purchase price of an acquisition exceeds the fair market value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized and is tested for impairment at least annually and more frequently if material changes in events or circumstances arise. This testing compares carrying values to fair values and if the carrying value of these assets is in excess of fair value, the carrying value is reduced to the implied fair value.
	Intangible and other assets, net - Intangible assets are recorded when a portion of the purchase price of an acquisition is allocated to assets such as customer contracts and relationships, trade names, certifications and backlog. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized using the straight line method over their estimated useful lives and include the following: trade names, 5 years; and long-term customer agreements, 5 to 20 years. Other assets include loan fees and debt acquisition costs which are capitalized and amortized as interest expense over the life of the related borrowings.
	Impairment of long-lived assets - When changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of certain long-lived assets may not be recoverable, the assets are evaluated for impairment. If the forecasted undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the assets, an impairment charge to reduce the carrying value of the assets to estimated realizable value is recognized in the current period. No impairment was recorded in the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
	Maintenance obligations - The Company is responsible for maintenance on a portion of the managed and owned lease fleet under the terms of maintenance obligations defined in the underlying lease or management agreement. The estimated liability is based on maintenance histories for each type and age of railcar. The liability, included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, is reviewed periodically and updated based on maintenance trends and known future repair or refurbishment requirements.
	Warranty accruals - Warranty costs are estimated and charged to operations to cover a defined warranty period. The estimated warranty cost is based on history of warranty claims for each particular product type. For new product types without a warranty history, preliminary estimates are based on historical information for similar product types. The warranty accruals, included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, are reviewed periodically and updated based on warranty trends.
	Income taxes - The liability method is used to account for income taxes. Deferred income taxes are provided for the temporary effects of differences between assets and liabilities recognized for financial statement and income tax reporting purposes. Valuation allowances reduce deferred tax assets to an amount that will more likely than not be realized. As a result, we recognize liabilities for uncertain tax positions based on whether evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit. It is inherently difficult and subjective to estimate such amounts, as this requires us to estimate the probability of various possible outcomes. The Company reevaluates these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. Changes in assumptions may result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision.
	Noncontrolling interest - The Company has a joint venture with Grupo Industrial Monclova, S.A. (GIMSA) that manufactures new railroad freight cars for the North American marketplace at GIMSA’s existing manufacturing facility located in Frontera, Mexico. Each party owns a 50% interest in the joint venture. The financial results of this operation are consolidated for financial reporting purposes as the Company maintains a controlling interest as evidenced by the right to appoint the majority of the board of directors, control over accounting, financing, marketing and engineering, and approval and design of products. The noncontrolling interest reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements primarily represents the joint venture partner’s equity in this venture.
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss - Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax as appropriate, consisted of the following:
	(In thousands)	Unrealized			Pension			Foreign			Accumulated
		Gain (Loss)			Adjustment			Currency			Other
		on Derivative						Translation			Comprehensive
		Financial						Adjustment			Loss
		Instruments
	Balance, August 31, 2012	$	(93	)	$	(325	)	$	(5,951	)	$	(6,369	)
	2013 activity		(960	)		(203	)		1,028			(135	)
	Balance, August 31, 2013	$	(1,053	)	$	(528	)	$	(4,923	)	$	(6,504	)
	Revenue recognition - Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.
	Railcars are generally manufactured, repaired or refurbished under firm orders from third parties. Revenue is recognized when new, refurbished or repaired railcars are completed, accepted by an unaffiliated customer and contractual contingencies removed. Marine revenues are either recognized on the percentage of completion method during the construction period or on the completed contract method based on the terms of the contract. Cash payments received prior to meeting revenue recognition criteria are accounted for in Deferred revenue. Operating lease revenue is recognized as earned under the lease terms. Certain leases are operated under car hire arrangements whereby revenue is earned based on utilization, car hire rates and terms specified in the lease agreement.
	The Company sells railcars with leases attached to financial investors. In addition the Company will often perform management or maintenance services at market rates for these railcars. Pursuant to the guidance in ASC 840-20-40, the Company evaluates the terms of any remarketing agreements and any contractual provisions that represent retained risk and the level of retained risk based on those provisions. The Company applies a 10% threshold to determine whether the level of retained risk exceeds 10% of the individual fair value of the rail cars delivered. For any contracts with multiple elements (i.e. railcars, maintenance, management services, etc) the Company allocates revenue among the deliverables primarily based upon objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of each element in the arrangement. If objective and reliable evidence of fair value of any element is not available, the company will use its estimated selling price for purposes of allocating the total arrangement consideration among the elements.
	Interest and foreign exchange - Includes foreign exchange gains and losses, amortization of loan fee expense, accretion of debt discounts and external interest expense.
		Years ended August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Interest and foreign exchange:
	Interest and other expense	$	19,203		$	22,474		$	30,155
	Accretion of term loan debt discount		–			–			3,564
	Accretion of convertible debt discount		2,455			3,259			3,021
	Foreign exchange (gain) loss		500			(924	)		252
		$	22,158		$	24,809		$	36,992
	Research and development - Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development costs incurred for new product development during the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were $2.0 million, $2.0 million and $3.0 million.
	Forward exchange contracts - Foreign operations give rise to risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Forward exchange contracts with established financial institutions are utilized to hedge a portion of such risk. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are deferred in other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized in earnings concurrent with the hedged transaction or when the occurrence of the hedged transaction is no longer considered probable. Ineffectiveness is measured and any gain or loss is recognized in foreign exchange gain or loss. Even though forward exchange contracts are entered into to mitigate the impact of currency fluctuations, certain exposure remains, which may affect operating results. In addition, there is risk for counterparty non-performance.
	Interest rate instruments - Interest rate swap agreements are utilized to reduce the impact of changes in interest rates on certain debt. The net cash amounts paid or received under the agreements are accrued and recognized as an adjustment to interest expense.
	Net earnings per share - Basic earnings per common share (EPS) excludes the potential dilution that would occur if additional shares were issued upon exercise of outstanding warrants or conversion of bonds. Restricted share grants are treated as outstanding when issued and restricted stock units are not treated as outstanding when issued. Restricted share grants and restricted stock units are included in weighted average basic common shares outstanding when calculating EPS when the Company is in a net earnings position.
	Diluted EPS is calculated using the more dilutive of two approaches. The first approach includes the dilutive effect of outstanding warrants and shares underlying the 2026 Convertible notes in the share count using the treasury stock method. The second approach supplements the first by including the “if converted” effect of the 2018 Convertible notes. Under the “if converted method” debt issuance and interest costs, both net of tax, associated with the convertible notes are added back to net earnings and the share count is increased by the shares underlying the convertible notes. The 2026 Convertible notes would only be included in the calculation of both approaches if the current stock price is greater than the initial conversion price using the treasury stock method.
	Stock-based compensation - The value, at the date of grant, of stock awarded under restricted share grants and restricted stock unit grants is amortized as compensation expense over the lesser of the vesting period of one to five years or to the recipients eligible retirement date. Compensation expense recognized related to restricted stock for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $6.3 million, $8.8 million and $7.1 million and was recorded in Selling and administrative on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Management estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires judgment on the part of management to arrive at estimates and assumptions on matters that are inherently uncertain. These estimates may affect the amount of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities within the financial statements. Estimates and assumptions are periodically evaluated and may be adjusted in future periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Initial Adoption of Accounting Policies - In the first quarter of 2013, the Company adopted an accounting standard update that increased the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. The standard eliminated the option of presenting other comprehensive income as part of the statement of equity and instead requires the Company to present other comprehensive income as either a single statement of comprehensive income combined with net income or as two separate but continuous statements. The adoption of this accounting standard update did impact the presentation of other comprehensive income, as the Company has elected to present two separate but consecutive statements, but did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	In the first quarter of 2013, the Company adopted an accounting standard update regarding how entities test goodwill for impairment. This accounting standard update is intended to reduce the cost and complexity of the annual goodwill impairment test by providing entities an option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary. This update impacts testing steps only and therefore the adoption did not have an effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Prospective Accounting Changes - In July 2012, an accounting standard update was issued regarding the testing of indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. This update is intended to reduce the cost and complexity of testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment by providing entities with an option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary. This update is effective for the Company as of September 1, 2013. This update impacts testing steps only, and therefore adoption will not have an effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In February 2013, an accounting standard update was issued which amended prior reporting requirements with respect to comprehensive income by requiring additional disclosures about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component. This update is effective for the Company as of September 1, 2013. As this accounting standard update impacts disclosure only, the adoption of this update is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Restructuring

Restructuring	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Restructuring	'
	Note 3 - Restructuring
	During 2013, the Company implemented a restructuring plan to sell or close certain Wheels, Repair & Parts facilities to enhance margins and improve capital efficiency and anticipates completing the restructuring plan during 2014. Restructuring charges related to this plan totaled $2.7 million for the year ended August 31, 2013 and were included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. All of the restructuring charges for the year ended August 31, 2013 and the restructuring reserve as of August 31, 2013 related to the Company’s Wheels, Repair & Parts segment. The Company anticipates that there will be additional restructuring charges in 2014 as the Company completes the plan.
	(In thousands)	Accrual at		Charged to		Paid or		Accrual at
		August 31,		Expense		Settled		August 31,
		2012						2013
	Employee termination costs	$	–	$	1,610	$	201	$	1,409
	Contract termination costs		–		50		50		–
	Other costs		–		1,059		760		299
	Balance, August 31, 2013	$	–	$	2,719	$	1,011	$	1,708

Loss_on_Extinguishment_of_Debt

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt	'
	Note 4 - Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
	The results of operations for the year ended August 31, 2011 included a loss on extinguishment of debt of $15.7 million associated with the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs of $2.9 million and prepayment premiums and other costs of $7.2 million due to the full retirement of $235.0 million of senior unsecured notes and the write-off of unamortized loan fees of $1.7 million and a debt discount of $3.9 million due to the full retirement of a $71.8 million term loan.

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Inventories	'
	Note 5 - Inventories
		As of August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Manufacturing supplies and raw materials	$	217,182		$	228,092
	Work-in-process		48,990			71,210
	Finished goods		54,839			22,571
	Excess and obsolete adjustment		(4,228	)		(5,132	)
		$	316,783		$	316,741
		As of August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Excess and obsolete adjustment
	Balance at beginning of period	$	5,132		$	4,450		$	4,096
	Charge to cost of revenue		2,661			3,042			1,202
	Disposition of inventory		(3,614	)		(2,210	)		(995	)
	Currency translation effect		49			(150	)		147
	Balance at end of period	$	4,228		$	5,132		$	4,450

Leased_Railcars_for_Syndicatio

Leased Railcars for Syndication	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Leased Railcars for Syndication	'
	Note 6 - Leased Railcars for Syndication
	Leased railcars for syndication consist of newly-built railcars manufactured at one of the Company’s facilities or railcars purchased from a third party, which have been placed on lease to a customer and which the Company intends to sell to an investor with the lease attached. These railcars are not depreciated and are generally anticipated to be sold within six months of delivery of the last railcar or six months from when the Company acquires the railcar from a third party. The Company does not depreciate these railcars because it does not believe any economic value of a railcar is lost in the first six months. In the event the railcars are not sold, the railcars are transferred to Equipment on operating leases and depreciated. As of August 31, 2013 Leased railcars for syndication were $68.5 million compared to $97.8 million as of August 31, 2012.

Equipment_on_Operating_Leases_

Equipment on Operating Leases, net	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Equipment on Operating Leases, net	'
	Note 7 - Equipment on Operating Leases, net
	Equipment on operating leases is reported net of accumulated depreciation of $97.8 million and $100.2 million as of August 31, 2013 and 2012. Depreciation expense was $12.0 million, $13.6 million and $12.9 million as of August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. In addition, certain railcar equipment leased-in by the Company on operating leases (see Note 22 Lease Commitments) is subleased to customers under non-cancelable operating leases. Aggregate minimum future amounts receivable under all non-cancelable operating leases and subleases are as follows:
	(In thousands)
	Year ending August 31,
	2014	$	22,793
	2015		15,367
	2016		7,565
	2017		4,113
	2018		2,262
	Thereafter		2,896
		$	54,996
	Certain equipment is also operated under daily, monthly or car hire utilization arrangements. Associated revenue amounted to $24.3 million, $23.4 million and $18.7 million for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_n

Property, Plant and Equipment, net	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment, net	'
	Note 8 - Property, Plant and Equipment, net
		As of August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Land and improvements	$	36,132		$	34,214
	Machinery and equipment		233,737			198,141
	Buildings and improvements		110,030			94,514
	Other		52,094			63,541
			431,993			390,410
	Accumulated depreciation		(230,460	)		(207,981	)
		$	201,533		$	182,429
	Depreciation expense was $25.1 million, $23.3 million and $20.7 million as of August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

Goodwill

Goodwill	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Goodwill	'
	Note 9 - Goodwill
	Changes in the carrying value of goodwill are as follows:
	(In thousands)		Manufacturing		Wheels, Repair			Leasing		Total
					& Parts			& Services
	Balance August 31, 2012		$	–	$	137,066		$	–	$	137,066
	Reductions(1)			–		(2,750	)		–		(2,750	)
	Goodwill impairment(2)			–		(76,900	)		–		(76,900	)
	Balance August 31, 2013		$	–	$	57,416		$	–	$	57,416
	-1	Reduction in goodwill relates to the sale of the Company’s roller bearing operations in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.
	(2)	Goodwill impairment relates to the non-cash goodwill impairment charge recognized as part of the Company’s annual goodwill impairment analysis as further discussed below.
	The Company performs a goodwill impairment test annually during the third quarter. Goodwill is also tested more frequently if changes in circumstances or the occurrence of events indicates that a potential impairment exists. The provisions of ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, require the Company to perform a two-step impairment test on goodwill.
	The Company performed step one of the goodwill impairment test during the third quarter of 2013. In the first step, the Company compared the fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying value. The Company determined the fair value of the reporting unit based on a weighting of income and market approaches. Under the income approach, the Company calculated the fair value of a reporting unit based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. Under the market approach, the Company estimated the fair value based on observed market multiples for comparable businesses. Results of the step one analysis indicated that the carrying amounts related to Wheels, Repair & Parts were in excess of its fair value. Accordingly, the Company performed step two of the impairment analysis to determine the amount, if any, of goodwill impairment to be recorded.
	In the second step, the Company compared the implied fair value of goodwill to its carrying value. The implied fair value of goodwill was determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the price paid to acquire the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value of a reporting unit over the amounts assigned to its assets and liabilities was considered the implied fair value of goodwill. A non-cash impairment loss was recorded to the extent that the carrying amount of the reporting unit goodwill exceeded the implied fair value of that goodwill. The impairment loss was primarily due to a reduction in market multiples for comparable businesses and updated estimated future cash flows. A pre-tax non-cash impairment charge of $76.9 million was recorded for the year ended August 31, 2013 which relates to the Wheels, Repair & Parts segment.
	The Company’s goodwill balance as of August 31, 2013 and 2012 related to our Wheels, Repair & Parts segment. The gross goodwill balance before accumulated goodwill impairment losses and other reductions was $195.8 million for the years ended August 31, 2013 and 2012. The accumulated goodwill impairment losses were $128.2 million and $51.3 million as of August 31, 2013 and 2012.

Intangibles_and_Other_Assets_n

Intangibles and Other Assets, net	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Intangibles and Other Assets, net	'
	Note 10 - Intangibles and Other Assets, net
	Intangible assets that are determined to have finite lives are amortized over their useful lives. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized and are periodically evaluated for impairment.
	The following table summarizes the Company’s identifiable intangible and other assets balance:
		As of August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Intangible assets subject to amortization:
	Customer relationships	$	66,288		$	66,825
	Accumulated amortization		(26,964	)		(22,995	)
	Other intangibles		4,967			4,906
	Accumulated amortization		(4,162	)		(3,779	)
			40,129			44,957
	Intangible assets not subject to amortization		912			912
	Investment in unconsolidated affiliates		10,739			8,301
	Prepaid and other assets		10,601			10,337
	Debt issuance costs, net		7,802			10,194
	Nonqualified savings plan investments		7,687			6,667
	Assets held for sale		1,101			–
		$	78,971		$	81,368
	Amortization expense for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $4.3 million, $5.6 million and $4.7 million. Amortization expense for the years ending August 31, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 is expected to be $4.0 million, $3.9 million, $3.9 million, $3.8 million and $3.5 million.

Revolving_Notes

Revolving Notes	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Revolving Notes	'
	Note 11 - Revolving Notes
	Senior secured credit facilities, consisting of three components, aggregated to $358.9 million as of August 31, 2013.
	As of August 31, 2013, a $290.0 million revolving line of credit secured by substantially all the Company’s assets in the U.S. not otherwise pledged as security for term loans and maturing June 2016, was available to provide working capital and interim financing of equipment, principally for the U.S. and Mexican operations. Advances under this facility bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.25% or Prime plus 1.25% depending on the type of borrowing. Available borrowings under the credit facility are generally based on defined levels of inventory, receivables, property, plant and equipment and leased equipment, as well as total debt to consolidated capitalization and fixed charges coverage ratios.
	As of August 31, 2013, lines of credit totaling $18.9 million secured by certain of the Company’s European assets, with various variable rates that range from Warsaw Interbank Offered Rate (WIBOR) plus 1.3% to WIBOR plus 1.5%, were available for working capital needs of the European manufacturing operation. European credit facilities are continually being renewed. Currently these European credit facilities have maturities that range from December 2013 through June 2015.
	As of August 31, 2013, the Company’s Mexican joint venture had two lines of credit totaling $50.0 million. The first line of credit provides up to $20.0 million and is secured by certain of the joint venture’s accounts receivable and inventory. Advances under this facility bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.5%. The Mexican joint venture will be able to draw amounts available under this facility through December 2013. The second line of credit provides up to $30.0 million and is fully guaranteed by each of the joint venture partners, including the Company. Advances under this facility bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.0%. The Mexican joint venture will be able to draw against this facility through February 2015.
	As of August 31, 2013, outstanding borrowings under the senior secured credit facilities consisted of $6.8 million in letters of credit under the North American credit facility and $48.2 million outstanding under the Mexican joint venture credit facilities.
	As of August 31, 2012, outstanding borrowings under the senior secured credit facilities consisted of $5.6 million in letters of credit under the North American credit facility, $15.8 million outstanding under the European credit facilities and $45.0 million outstanding under the Mexican joint venture credit facilities.

Accounts_Payable_and_Accrued_L

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	'
	Note 12 - Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
		As of August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013		2012
	Trade payables	$	163,490	$	186,639
	Other accrued liabilities		70,691		71,677
	Accrued payroll and related liabilities		42,047		37,915
	Income taxes payable		13,094		9,625
	Accrued maintenance		11,420		11,475
	Accrued warranty		12,128		9,221
	Other		3,068		2,956
		$	315,938	$	329,508

Maintenance_and_Warranty_Accru

Maintenance and Warranty Accruals	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Maintenance and Warranty Accruals	'
	Note 13 - Maintenance and Warranty Accruals
		As of August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Accrued maintenance
	Balance at beginning of period	$	11,475		$	10,865		$	12,460
	Charged to cost of revenue		9,003			10,750			12,034
	Payments		(9,058	)		(10,140	)		(13,629	)
	Balance at end of period	$	11,420		$	11,475		$	10,865
	Accrued warranty
	Balance at beginning of period	$	9,221		$	8,645		$	6,304
	Charged to cost of revenue		6,157			2,496			3,856
	Payments		(3,315	)		(1,746	)		(1,547	)
	Currency translation effect		65			(174	)		32
	Balance at end of period	$	12,128		$	9,221		$	8,645

Notes_Payable

Notes Payable	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Notes Payable	'
	Note 14 - Notes Payable
			As of August 31,
	(In thousands)		2013		2012
	Convertible senior notes, due 2018		$	230,000	$	230,000
	Convertible senior notes, due 2026			14,856		67,724
	Term loans			128,783		132,553
	Other notes payable			250		257
				373,889		430,534
	Debt discount on convertible senior notes due 2026, net of accretion			–		(2,455	)
			$	373,889	$	428,079
	Convertible senior notes, due 2018, bear interest at a fixed rate of 3.5%, paid semi-annually in arrears on April 1st and October 1st. The convertible notes will mature on April 1, 2018, unless earlier repurchased by Greenbrier or converted in accordance with their terms. The convertible notes are senior unsecured obligations and rank equally with other senior unsecured debt. The convertible notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock, at an initial conversion rate of 26.2838 shares per $1,000 principal amount of the notes (which is equal to an initial conversion price of $38.05 per share). The initial conversion rate and conversion price are subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, such as distributions, dividends or stock splits. There were $7.9 million in original debt issuance costs, included in Intangibles and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, which will be amortized using the effective interest method. The amortization expense is being included in Interest and foreign exchange on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Convertible senior notes, due 2026, bear interest at a fixed rate of 2.375%, paid semi-annually in arrears on May 15th and November 15th. In May 2013, the Company retired $52.9 million of its then $67.7 million outstanding notes pursuant to a scheduled put option. The Company may be required to also pay contingent interest of 0.375% on the notes in certain circumstances. Greenbrier may redeem all or a portion of the notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest. On May 15, 2016 and May 15, 2021 or in the event of certain fundamental changes, holders can require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of their notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest. Payment on the convertible notes is guaranteed by substantially all of the Company’s material domestic subsidiaries. The convertible senior notes are convertible upon the occurrence of specified events into cash and shares, if any, of Greenbrier’s common stock at an initial conversion rate of 20.8125 shares per $1,000 principal amount of the notes (which is equal to an initial conversion price of $48.05 per share). The initial conversion rate is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, as defined. The value of the equity component was $14.9 million as of August 31, 2013 and 2012. The debt discount associated with the convertible senior notes was fully accreted using the effective interest rate method through May 2013 and the accretion expense was included in Interest and foreign exchange on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The pre-tax accretion of the debt discount was $2.5 million, $3.2 million and $3.0 million for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
	Term loans are primarily composed of:
	•		A senior term note with an initial balance of $100.0 million, secured by a pool of leased railcars, maturing in March 2014. The note bears a floating interest rate of LIBOR plus 1% with principal of $0.7 million paid quarterly in arrears and a balloon payment of $81.8 million due at maturity. The principal balance as of August 31, 2013 was $83.1 million. An interest rate swap agreement was entered into, on fifty percent of the initial balance, to swap the floating interest rate of LIBOR plus 1% to a fixed rate of 5.24%. At August 31, 2013, the notional amount of the agreement was $41.6 million and matures in March 2014.
	•		A senior term note with an initial balance of $50.0 million, secured by a pool of leased railcars, maturing in May 2015. The note bears a floating interest rate of LIBOR plus 1% with principal of $0.3 million paid quarterly in arrears and a balloon payment of $41.2 million due at maturity. The principal balance as of August 31, 2013 was $43.3 million.
	•		Other term loans with an aggregate balance of $2.4 million as of August 31, 2013 and maturity dates ranging from October 2013 to February 2018.
	The notes payable, along with the revolving and operating lines of credit, contain certain covenants with respect to the Company and various subsidiaries, the most restrictive of which, among other things, limit the ability to: incur additional indebtedness or guarantees; pay dividends or repurchase stock; enter into sale leaseback transactions; create liens; sell assets; engage in transactions with affiliates, including joint ventures and non U.S. subsidiaries, including but not limited to loans, advances, equity investments and guarantees; enter into mergers, consolidations or sales of substantially all the Company’s assets; and enter into new lines of business. The covenants also require certain maximum ratios of debt to total capitalization and minimum levels of fixed charges (interest and rent) coverage.
	Principal payments on the notes payable are expected as follows:
	(In thousands)
	Year ending August 31,
	2014		$	85,147
	2015			42,620
	2016(1)			15,465
	2017			437
	2018			230,220
	Thereafter			–
			$	373,889
	(1)	The repayment of the $14.9 million of Convertible senior notes due 2026 is assumed to occur in 2016, which is the next date holders can require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the notes.

Derivative_Instruments

Derivative Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments	'
	Note 15 - Derivative Instruments
	Foreign operations give rise to market risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Foreign currency forward exchange contracts with established financial institutions are utilized to hedge a portion of that risk in Euro. Interest rate swap agreements are utilized to reduce the impact of changes in interest rates on certain debt. The Company’s foreign currency forward exchange contracts and interest rate swap agreements are designated as cash flow hedges, and therefore the effective portion of unrealized gains and losses are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss.
	At August 31, 2013 exchange rates, forward exchange contracts for the purchase of Polish Zloty and the sale of Euro aggregated $53.4 million. Adjusting the foreign currency exchange contracts to the fair value of the cash flow hedges at August 31, 2013 resulted in an unrealized pre-tax loss of $0.3 million that was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The fair value of the contracts is included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities when there is a loss, or Accounts receivable when there is a gain, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As the contracts mature at various dates through June 2014, any such gain or loss remaining will be recognized in manufacturing revenue along with the related transactions. In the event that the underlying sales transaction does not occur or does not occur in the period designated at the inception of the hedge, the amount classified in accumulated other comprehensive loss would be reclassified to the current year’s results of operations in Interest and foreign exchange.
	At August 31, 2013, an interest rate swap agreement had a notional amount of $41.6 million and matures March 2014. The fair value of this cash flow hedge at August 31, 2013 resulted in an unrealized pre-tax loss of $1.3 million. The loss is included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss and the fair value of the contract is included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As interest expense on the underlying debt is recognized, amounts corresponding to the interest rate swap are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss and charged or credited to interest expense. At August 31, 2013 interest rates, approximately $1.3 million would be reclassified to interest expense in the next 12 months.
	Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
		Asset Derivatives									Liability Derivatives
				August 31,									August 31,
				2013				2012					2013				2012
	(In thousands)	Balance sheet		Fair				Fair			Balance sheet		Fair				Fair
		location		Value				Value			location		Value				Value
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
	Foreign forward exchange contracts	Accounts receivable		$	819			$	2,703		Accounts payable		$	342			$	182
											and accrued liabilities
	Interest rate swap	Other assets			–				–		Accounts payable			1,250				2,861
	contracts										and accrued liabilities
				$	819			$	2,703				$	1,592			$	3,043
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
	Foreign forward exchange contracts	Accounts receivable		$	223			$	141		Accounts payable		$	40			$	102
											and accrued liabilities
	The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Operations
	Derivatives in cash	Location of gain (loss) recognized in		Gain (loss) recognized in
	flow hedging relationships	income on derivative		income on derivative
				Years ended
				August 31,
				2013				2012
	Foreign forward exchange contract	Interest and foreign exchange		$	(204	)		$	371
	Derivatives in	Gain (loss)								Location of	Gain (loss)								Location of	Gain
	cash flow	recognized in OCI on								gain (loss)	reclassified from								gain (loss)	recognized on
	hedging	derivatives (effective								reclassified	accumulated OCI into								in income on	derivative
	relationships	portion)								from	income (effective								derivative	(ineffective
		Years								accumulated	portion)								(ineffective	portion and
		ended August 31,								OCI into	Years								portion and	amount
										income	ended August 31,								amount	excluded from
																			excluded from	effectiveness
																			effectiveness	testing)
																			testing)	Years
																				ended
																				August 31,
		2013				2012					2013				2012					2013		2012
	Foreign forward exchange contracts	$	(570	)		$	136			Revenue	$	1,917			$	(4,615	)		Interest and foreign exchange	$	2,410	$	1,403
	Interest rate swap contracts		(68	)			(153	)		Interest and foreign exchange		(1,679	)			(1,678	)		Interest and foreign exchange		–		–
		$	(638	)		$	(17	)			$	238			$	(6,293	)			$	2,410	$	1,403

Equity

Equity	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Equity	'
	Note 16 - Equity
	On December 16, 2010, the Company issued 3,000,000 shares of its common stock in an underwritten at-the-market public offering at $21.06 per share, less expenses resulting in net proceeds of $62.8 million.
	In January 2011, the stockholders approved the 2010 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan (formerly known as the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan as amended). This plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, restricted shares, restricted stock units and stock appreciation rights. There are no stock options or stock appreciation rights outstanding as of August 31, 2013. The Company currently grants restricted shares and restricted stock units. Restricted share grants are considered outstanding shares of common stock at the time they are issued. The holders of unvested restricted shares are entitled to voting rights and participation in dividends. The dividends are not forfeitable if the awards are later forfeited prior to vesting. The Company began granting restricted stock units during the year ended August 31, 2013. Shares associated with restricted stock unit awards are not considered legally outstanding shares of common stock until vesting. Restricted stock unit awards, including performance based awards, are entitled to participate in dividends and these awards are considered participating securities and are considered outstanding for earnings per share purposes when the effect is dilutive.
	In January 2013, the stockholders approved an amendment to the 2010 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan to increase the total number of shares reserved for issuance by 1,500,000 shares. As a result, the maximum aggregate number of the Company’s common shares authorized for issuance is 4,325,000. On August 31, 2013 there were 1,384,997 shares available for grant compared to 259,650 and 720,047 shares available for grant as of the years ended August 31, 2012 and 2011.
	During the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company awarded restricted share and restricted stock unit grants totaling 387,986, 466,680 and 309,380 shares which include performance based grants. As of August 31, 2013, there were a total of 516,495 shares associated with unvested performance based grants. The actual number of shares that will vest associated with performance based grants will vary depending on the Company’s performance. Approximately 535,945 additional shares may be granted if performance based restricted share and restricted stock unit awards vest at stretch levels of performance. These additional shares are associated with restricted share and restricted stock unit awards granted during the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. The fair value of awards granted was $9.2 million, $9.5 million and $7.2 million for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
	The value, at the date of grant, of stock awarded under restricted share grants and restricted stock unit grants are amortized as compensation expense over the lesser of the vesting period of one to five years or to the recipients eligible retirement date. Compensation expense recognized related to restricted share grants and restricted stock unit grants for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $6.3 million, $8.8 million and $7.1 million and was recorded in Selling and administrative on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Unamortized compensation cost related to restricted stock grants was $12.5 million as of August 31, 2013.
	The unvested restricted share and restricted stock unit grants were 913,918 and 903,554 as of August 31, 2013 and 2012. The following table summarizes restricted share and restricted stock unit grant transactions for shares, both vested and unvested, under the 2010 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan:
			Shares
	Balance at September 1, 2010(1)			1,799,573
	Granted			309,380
	Forfeited			(4,000	)
	Balance at August 31, 2011(1)			2,104,953
	Granted			466,680
	Forfeited			(6,283	)
	Balance at August 31, 2012(1)			2,565,350
	Granted			387,986
	Forfeited			(13,333	)
	Balance at August 31, 2013(1)			2,940,003
	(1)	Balance represents cumulative grants net of forfeitures.
	At August 31, 2013 there were no options outstanding. The following table summarizes stock option transactions for shares under option and the related weighted average option price:
			Shares			Weighted
						Average
						Option
						Price
	Balance at September 1, 2010			5,500		$	4.74
	Exercised			(5,500	)	$	4.74
	Balance at August 31, 2011			–		$	–
	Exercised			–		$	–
	Balance at August 31, 2012			–		$	–
	Exercised			–		$	–
	Balance at August 31, 2013			–		$	–

Earnings_Loss_per_Share

Earnings (Loss) per Share	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Earnings (Loss) per Share	'
	Note 17 - Earnings (Loss) per Share
	The shares used in the computation of the Company’s basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share are reconciled as follows:
			Years ended August 31,
	(In thousands)		2013		2012		2011
	Weighted average basic common shares outstanding(1)			26,678		26,572		24,100
	Dilutive effect of warrants(2)			–		1,101		2,401
	Dilutive effect of convertible notes(2)(3)			–		6,045		–
	Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding			26,678		33,718		26,501
	-1	Restricted stock grants and restricted stock units, including some grants subject to certain performance criteria, are included in weighted average basic common shares outstanding when the Company is in a net earnings position. Weighted average basic common shares outstanding exclude 0.9 million shares of unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units for the year ended August 31, 2013 as they are anti-dilutive due to a net loss. No restricted stock or warrants were anti-dilutive for the years ended August 31, 2012 and 2011.
	(2)	The dilutive effect of common stock equivalents is excluded from the share calculations for the year ended August 31, 2013 due to a net loss.
	-3	In 2012, the dilutive effect of the 2018 Convertible notes are included as they were considered dilutive under the “if converted” method. In 2011, the dilutive effect of the 2018 Convertible Notes was excluded from the share calculation as it was the less dilutive of the two approaches further discussed below. The dilutive effect of the 2026 Convertible notes was excluded from the share calculations as the stock price for each year presented was less than the initial conversion price of $48.05 and therefore considered anti-dilutive.
	Dilutive EPS for the years ended August 31, 2012 and 2011 was calculated using the more dilutive of two approaches. The first approach includes the dilutive effect of outstanding warrants and shares underlying the 2026 Convertible notes in the share count using the treasury stock method. The second approach supplements the first by including the “if converted” effect of the 2018 Convertible notes issued in March 2011. Under the “if converted method” debt issuance and interest costs, both net of tax, associated with the convertible notes are added back to net earnings and the share count is increased by the shares underlying the convertible notes. The 2026 Convertible notes would only be included in the calculation of both approaches if the current stock price is greater than the initial conversion price of $48.05 using the treasury stock method.
			Year Ended August 31, 2012
	Net earnings attributable to Greenbrier		$	58,708
	Add back:
	Interest and debt issuance costs on the 2018 Convertible notes, net of tax			5,677
	Earnings before interest and debt issuance costs on convertible notes		$	64,385
	Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding			33,718
	Diluted earnings per share(1)		$	1.91
	-1	Diluted earnings per share was calculated as follows:
	Earnings before interest and debt issuance costs on convertible notes
	Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Related Party Transactions	'
	Note 18 - Related Party Transactions
	On June 10, 2009, the Company entered into a transaction with affiliates of WL Ross & Co., LLC (WL Ross) which provided for a $75.0 million secured term loan, which has subsequently been repaid. In connection with the loan, the Company also entered into a warrant agreement pursuant to which the Company issued warrants to WL Ross and its affiliates to purchase a current total of 3,401,095 shares of the Company’s Common Stock with an exercise price of $5.96 per share. In connection with Victoria McManus’ 3% participation in the WL Ross transaction, WL Ross and its affiliates transferred the right to purchase 101,337 shares of Common Stock under the warrant agreement to Ms. McManus, a director of the Company. As of August 31, 2013, there are no outstanding warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock.
	Wilbur L. Ross, Jr., founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at WL Ross was a director of the Company through January 2013, and Wendy Teramoto, Senior Vice President at WL Ross, is currently a director of the Company.
	In April 2010, WLR–Greenbrier Rail Inc. (WLR-GBX) was formed and acquired a lease fleet of nearly 4,000 railcars valued at approximately $256.0 million. WLR-GBX is wholly owned by affiliates of WL Ross. The Company paid a $6.1 million contract placement fee to WLR-GBX for the right to perform certain management and advisory services and in exchange will receive management and other fee income and incentive compensation tied to the performance of WLR-GBX. The Company has also paid certain incidental fees and agreed to indemnify WLR-GBX and its affiliates against certain liabilities in connection with such advisory services. Under the management agreement the Company received $0.9 million in fees for each of the years ended August 31, 2013 and 2012 and $0.8 million for the year ended August 31, 2011. The contract placement fee is accounted for under the equity method and is recorded in Intangibles and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. As a result of losses experienced by WLR-GBX the carrying value of the investment is zero as of August 31, 2013. The Company also leases approximately 400 railcars from the WLR-GBX lease fleet. The Company has paid $3.2 million, $3.1 million and $2.8 million in lease expense for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively and has future lease commitments totaling $6.1 million.
	In March 2012, the Company purchased a 1% interest in three trusts (the “Trusts”). The company accounts for this investment under the equity method of accounting. The Company sold a total of $38.5 million and $61.1 million to the Trusts for the years ended August 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. See Note 26 – Variable Interest Entities for additional information.
	In May 2013, the Company purchased an 8% interest in an entity that owns a portfolio of railcar assets that is leases to third parties. The company accounts for this investment under the equity method of accounting. The Company sold a total of $23.2 million to this entity for the year ended August 31, 2013. See Note 26 – Variable Interest Entities for additional information.
	William Furman, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, also serves as director of Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (Schnitzer). In the normal course of business, the Company sells scrap metal to Schnitzer. During the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company sold scrap metal to Schnitzer totaling $8.0 million, $9.2 million and $7.3 million, respectively.
	Mr. Furman is the owner of private aircraft managed by a private independent management company. From time to time, the Company’s business requires charter use of privately-owned aircraft. In such instances, it is possible that charters may be placed with the company that manages Mr. Furman’s aircraft. The Company placed charters with the company that manages Mr. Furman’s aircraft aggregating $0.2 million for each of the years ended August 31, 2013 and 2012 and $10 thousand for the year ended August 31, 2011.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Income Taxes	'
	Note 19 - Income Taxes
	Components of income tax expense of continuing operations were as follows:
		Years ended August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Current
	Federal	$	20,162		$	10,750		$	(683	)
	State		2,491			2,783			620
	Foreign		11,465			8,548			333
			34,118			22,081			270
	Deferred
	Federal		(6,597	)		19,426			2,956
	State		(2,357	)		(3,399	)		351
	Foreign		(134	)		(6	)		239
			(9,088	)		16,021			3,546
	Change in valuation allowance		30			(5,710	)		(252	)
		$	25,060		$	32,392		$	3,564
	Income tax expense is computed at rates different than statutory rates. The reconciliation between effective and statutory tax rates on continuing operations were as follows:
		Years ended August 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Federal statutory rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit		(1.2	)		(1.9	)		4.1
	Impact of foreign operations		(19.1	)		(2.1	)		(2.1	)
	Change in valuation allowance related to deferred tax asset		1.3			(6.1	)		(1.7	)
	Change in income tax reserve for uncertain tax positions		(7.1	)		(0.1	)		(0.8	)
	Reversal of net deferred tax assets related to foreign restructuring		–			1.9			–
	Noncontrolling interest in flow through entity		(1.2	)		(0.4	)		(5.1	)
	Permanent differences		4.5			5.4			(7.1	)
	Goodwill impairment		119			–			–
	Other		(2.6	)		2.8			1.6
			128.6	%		34.5	%		23.9	%
	The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities were as follows:
		As of August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Contract placement	$	2,051		$	2,145
	Maintenance and warranty accruals		7,963			7,127
	Accrued payroll and related liabilities		8,616			13,193
	Deferred revenue		4,072			3,702
	Inventories and other		8,708			8,449
	Derivative instruments and translation adjustment		478			1,132
	Investment and asset tax credits		1,324			337
	Net operating loss		2,168			8,409
			35,380			44,494
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Fixed assets		107,725			111,915
	Original issue discount		2,962			12,064
	Intangibles		4,792			9,977
	Deferred gain on redemption of debt		4,430			4,430
	Other		31			36
			119,940			138,422
	Valuation allowance		1,480			1,435
	Net deferred tax liability	$	86,040		$	95,363
	As of August 31, 2013 the Company has $22.4 million of state net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards that will begin to expire in 2015, $1.3 million of state credit carryforwards that will begin to expire in 2017, and $6.6 million of foreign NOL carryforwards that will begin to expire in 2014. The Company uses tax law ordering for purposes of determining when excess tax benefits have been realized.
	During the current year the Company recognized excess tax benefits of $0.3 million from the vesting of restricted stock awards. In addition, previously unrecognized NOL carryforwards created by excess tax benefits of $1.7 million reduced taxes payable in the current year. The utilization of these carryforwards resulted in an increase to stockholders’ equity of $0.6 million.
	The net increase in the valuation allowance for the year ended August 31, 2013 was approximately $45 thousand. The increase in the valuation allowance is primarily due to the increase in state tax credits for which no benefit is provided.
	No provision has been made for U.S. income taxes on approximately $31.8 million of cumulative undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries as the Company plans to reinvest these earnings indefinitely in operations outside the U.S. Generally, such amounts become subject to U.S. taxation upon the remittance of dividends and under certain other circumstances. It is not practicable to estimate the amount of deferred tax liability related to investments in foreign subsidiaries.
	The following is a tabular reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits for the years presented:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Unrecognized Tax Benefit – Opening Balance	$	3,720		$	3,053		$	3,526
	Gross increases – tax positions in prior period		511			878			–
	Gross decreases – tax positions in prior period		(2,942	)		(211	)		(233	)
	Settlements		–			–			(193	)
	Lapse of statute of limitations		–			–			(47	)
Unrecognized Tax Benefit – Ending Balance	$	1,289		$	3,720		$	3,053
The Company is subject to taxation in the U.S., various states and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. Federal examination for tax years before 2010, to state and local examinations before 2008, or to foreign examinations before 2007.
Unrecognized tax benefits at August 31, 2013 were $1.1 million of which $0.7 million, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. The unrecognized tax benefits at August 31, 2012 were $2.7 million. Accrued interest on reserves for uncertain tax positions as of August 31, 2013 and 2012 were $0.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively. The Company recorded an interest benefit of $0.8 million for changes in the reserves during the year ended August 31, 2013 and interest expense of $0.1 million for changes during the year ended August 31, 2012. The Company had not accrued any penalties on the reserves. Interest and penalties related to income taxes are not classified as a component of income tax expense. Benefits from the realization of unrecognized tax benefits for deductible differences attributable to ordinary operations will be recognized as a reduction of income tax expense. The Company does not anticipate a significant decrease in the reserves for uncertain tax positions during the next twelve months.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Segment Information	'
	Note 20 - Segment Information
	Greenbrier operates in three reportable segments: Manufacturing; Wheels, Repair & Parts; and Leasing & Services. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Performance is evaluated based on margin. The Company’s integrated business model results in selling and administrative costs being intertwined among the segments. Currently, Greenbrier’s management does not allocate these costs for either external or internal reporting purposes. Intersegment sales and transfers are valued as if the sales or transfers were to third parties. Related revenue and margin is eliminated in consolidation and therefore are not included in consolidated results in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
	The information in the following table is derived directly from the segments’ internal financial reports used for corporate management purposes.
			Years ended August 31,
	(In thousands)		2013			2012			2011
	Revenue:
	Manufacturing		$	1,200,613		$	1,370,900		$	770,596
	Wheels, Repair & Parts			484,180			498,336			492,355
	Leasing & Services			90,203			90,538			70,498
	Intersegment eliminations			(18,578	)		(152,058	)		(90,159	)
			$	1,756,418		$	1,807,716		$	1,243,290
	Margin:
	Manufacturing		$	132,845		$	131,580		$	59,975
	Wheels, Repair & Parts			37,721			48,324			47,416
	Leasing & Services			35,807			34,516			32,140
			$	206,373		$	214,420		$	139,531
	Assets:
	Manufacturing		$	401,630		$	402,976		$	423,295
	Wheels, Repair & Parts			318,483			413,013			400,643
	Leasing & Services			463,381			508,539			424,839
	Unallocated			106,247			60,016			52,878
			$	1,289,741		$	1,384,544		$	1,301,655
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Manufacturing		$	13,469		$	11,754		$	9,853
	Wheels, Repair & Parts			12,843			13,265			11,853
	Leasing & Services			15,135			17,352			16,587
			$	41,447		$	42,371		$	38,293
	Capital expenditures:
	Manufacturing		$	37,017		$	33,313		$	20,016
	Wheels, Repair & Parts			7,492			11,248			20,087
	Leasing & Services			16,318			73,324			44,199
			$	60,827		$	117,885		$	84,302
	The following table summarizes selected geographic information.
			Years ended August 31,
	(In thousands)		2013			2012			2011
	Revenue(1):
	U.S.		$	1,544,775		$	1,642,348		$	1,103,423
	Foreign			211,643			165,368			139,867
			$	1,756,418		$	1,807,716		$	1,243,290
	Identifiable assets:
	U.S.		$	865,294		$	982,078		$	1,000,249
	Canada			756			718			–
	Mexico			348,144			323,318			228,406
	Europe			75,547			78,430			73,000
			$	1,289,741		$	1,384,544		$	1,301,655
	(1)	Revenue is presented on the basis of geographic location of customers.
	Reconciliation of segment margin to earnings before income tax and earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates:
			Years ended August 31,
	(In thousands)		2013			2012			2011
	Segment margin		$	206,373		$	214,420		$	139,531
	Less unallocated items:
	Selling and administrative			103,175			104,596			80,326
	Net gain on disposition of equipment			(18,072	)		(8,964	)		(8,369	)
	Goodwill impairment			76,900			–			–
	Restructuring charges			2,719			–			–
	Interest and foreign exchange			22,158			24,809			36,992
	Loss on extinguishment of debt			–			–			15,657
	Earnings before income tax and earnings (loss) from		$	19,493		$	93,979		$	14,925
	unconsolidated affiliates

Customer_Concentration

Customer Concentration	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Customer Concentration	'
	Note 21 - Customer Concentration
	Customer concentration is defined as a single customer that accounts for more than 10% of total revenues or accounts receivable. In 2013, revenue from two customers represented 17% and 10% of total revenue, respectively. In 2012, revenue from three customers represented 26%, 16% and 11% of total revenue, respectively. In 2011, revenue from four customers represented 19%, 14%, 12% and 11% of total revenue, respectively. No other customers accounted for more than 10% of total revenues for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, or 2011. One customer had balances that individually equaled or exceeded 10% of accounts receivable and in total represented 18% of the consolidated accounts receivable balance at August 31, 2013. One customer had balances that individually equaled or exceeded 10% of accounts receivable and in total represented 13% of the consolidated accounts receivable balance at August 31, 2012.

Lease_Commitments

Lease Commitments	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Lease Commitments	'
	Note 22 - Lease Commitments
	Lease expense for railcar equipment leased-in under non-cancelable leases was $6.7 million, $6.0 million and $6.5 million for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. Aggregate minimum future amounts payable under these non-cancelable railcar equipment leases are as follows:
	(In thousands)
	Year ending August 31,
	2014	$	5,720
	2015		4,867
	2016		940
	2017		517
	2018		–
	Thereafter		–
		$	12,044
	Operating leases for domestic railcar repair facilities, office space and certain manufacturing and office equipment expire at various dates through December 2019. Rental expense for facilities, office space and equipment was $13.1 million, $14.1 million and $12.2 million for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. Aggregate minimum future amounts payable under these non-cancelable operating leases are as follows:
	(In thousands)
	Year ending August 31,
	2014	$	6,710
	2015		3,435
	2016		2,393
	2017		2,184
	2018		1,620
	Thereafter		3,666
		$	20,008

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Note 23 - Commitments and Contingencies
	The Company’s Portland, Oregon manufacturing facility is located adjacent to the Willamette River. The Company has entered into a Voluntary Cleanup Agreement with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (“DEQ”) in which the Company agreed to conduct an investigation of whether, and to what extent, past or present operations at the Portland property may have released hazardous substances to the environment. The Company is also conducting groundwater remediation relating to a historical spill on the property which preceded its ownership.
	The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified portions of the river bed of the Portland Harbor, including the portion fronting the Company’s manufacturing facility, as a federal “National Priority List” or “Superfund” site due to sediment contamination (the “Portland Harbor Site”). The Company and more than 140 other parties have received a “General Notice” of potential liability from the EPA relating to the Portland Harbor Site. The letter advised the Company that it may be liable for the costs of investigation and remediation (which liability may be joint and several with other potentially responsible parties) as well as for natural resource damages resulting from releases of hazardous substances to the site. At this time, ten private and public entities, including the Company (the “Lower Willamette Group” or “LWG”), have signed an Administrative Order on Consent (“AOC”) to perform a remedial investigation/feasibility study (“RI/FS”) of the Portland Harbor Site under EPA oversight, and several additional entities have not signed such consent, but are nevertheless contributing money to the effort. The EPA-mandated RI/FS is being conducted by the LWG and has cost over $100 million during a 13-year period. The Company has agreed to initially bear a percentage of the total costs incurred by the LWG in connection with the investigation. The Company’s aggregate expenditure has not been material during the 13-year period. Some or all of any such outlay may be recoverable from other responsible parties. The investigation is expected to continue for at least one more year.
	Eighty-three parties, including the State of Oregon and the federal government, have entered into a non-judicial mediation process to try to allocate costs associated with the Portland Harbor site. Approximately 110 additional parties have signed tolling agreements related to such allocations. On April 23, 2009, the Company and the other AOC signatories filed suit against 69 other parties due to a possible limitations period for some such claims; Arkema Inc. et al v. A & C Foundry Products, Inc.et al, US District Court, District of Oregon, Case #3:09-cv-453-PK. All but 12 of these parties elected to sign tolling agreements and be dismissed without prejudice, and the case has now been stayed by the court, pending completion of the RI/FS. Although, as described below, the draft feasibility study has been submitted, the RI/FS will not be complete until the EPA approves it, which is not likely to occur until at least 2015.
	A draft of the remedial investigation study was submitted to the EPA on October 27, 2009. The draft feasibility study was submitted to the EPA on March 30, 2012. The draft feasibility study evaluates several alternative cleanup approaches. The approaches submitted would take from 2 to 28 years with costs ranging from $169 million to $1.8 billion for cleanup of the entire Portland Harbor Site, depending primarily on the selected remedial action levels. The draft feasibility study suggests costs ranging from $9 million to $163 million for cleanup of the area of the Willamette River adjacent to the Company’s Portland, Oregon manufacturing facility, depending primarily on the selected remedial action level.
	The draft feasibility study does not address responsibility for the costs of clean-up or allocate such costs among the potentially responsible parties, or define precise boundaries for the cleanup. Responsibility for funding and implementing the EPA’s selected cleanup will be determined after the issuance of the Record of Decision. Based on the investigation to date, the Company believes that it did not contribute in any material way to the damage of natural resources in the Portland Harbor Site and that the damage in the area of the Portland Harbor Site adjacent to its property precedes its ownership of the Portland, Oregon manufacturing facility. Because these environmental investigations are still underway, sufficient information is currently not available to determine the Company’s liability, if any, for the cost of any required remediation of the Portland Harbor Site or to estimate a range of potential loss. Based on the results of the pending investigations and future assessments of natural resource damages, the Company may be required to incur costs associated with additional phases of investigation or remedial action, and may be liable for damages to natural resources. In addition, the Company may be required to perform periodic maintenance dredging in order to continue to launch vessels from its launch ways in Portland, Oregon, on the Willamette River, and the river’s classification as a Superfund site could result in some limitations on future dredging and launch activities. Any of these matters could adversely affect the Company’s business and Consolidated Financial Statements, or the value of its Portland property.
	We have also signed an Order on Consent with DEQ to finalize the investigation of potential onsite sources of contamination that may have a release pathway to the Willamette River. Interim precautionary measures are also required in the order and those are in the process of being completed. Our aggregate expenditure has not been material during the 13-year period. Some or all of any such outlay may be recoverable from other responsible parties.
	From time to time, Greenbrier is involved as a defendant in litigation in the ordinary course of business, the outcome of which cannot be predicted with certainty. While the ultimate outcome of such legal proceedings cannot be determined at this time, management believes that the resolution of these actions will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In accordance with customary business practices in Europe, the Company has $2.2 million in bank and third party performance and warranty guarantee facilities, all of which have been utilized as of August 31, 2013. To date no amounts have been drawn under these guarantee facilities.
	At August 31, 2013, the Mexican joint venture had $50.4 million of third party debt outstanding, for which the Company has guaranteed approximately $40.2 million. In addition, the Company, along with its joint venture partner, has committed to contributing $10.0 million to fund the capital expenditures to expand production capacity, of which the Company and its joint venture partner will each contribute 50%. These amounts will be contributed at various intervals from May 31, 2012 to October 31, 2013. As of August 31, 2013, the Company and the joint venture partner have each contributed $4.6 million.
	As of August 31, 2013 the Company had outstanding letters of credit aggregating $6.8 million associated with facility leases and workers compensation insurance.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	Note 24 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The estimated fair values of financial instruments and the methods and assumptions used to estimate such fair values are as follows:
	(In thousands)	Carrying		Estimated
		Amount		Fair Value
	Notes payable as of August 31, 2013	$	373,889	$	324,631
	Notes payable as of August 31, 2012	$	428,079	$	364,062
	The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, revolving notes, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, foreign currency forward contracts and interest rate swaps is a reasonable estimate of fair value of these financial instruments. Estimated rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities are used to estimate the fair value of notes payable.

Fair_Value_Measures

Fair Value Measures	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Fair Value Measures	'
	Note 25 - Fair Value Measures
	Certain assets and liabilities are reported at fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis. Fair value, for this disclosure, is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants, under a three-tier fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring a fair value as follows:
	Level 1 -		observable inputs such as unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments;
	Level 2 -		inputs, other than the quoted market prices in active markets for similar instruments, which are observable, either directly or indirectly; and
	Level 3 -		unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data available, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of August 31, 2013 are:
	(In thousands)		Total		Level 1		Level 2(1)		Level 3
	Assets:
	Derivative financial instruments		$	1,042	$	–	$	1,042	$	–
	Nonqualified savings plan investments			7,687		7,687		–		–
	Cash equivalents			1,004		1,004		–		–
			$	9,733	$	8,691	$	1,042	$	–
	Liabilities:
	Derivative financial instruments		$	1,632	$	–	$	1,632	$	–
	(1)	Level 2 assets include derivative financial instruments which are valued based on significant observable inputs. See Note 15 Derivative Instruments for further discussion.
	Assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of August 31, 2013 are:
	(In thousands)		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Goodwill		$	57,416	$	–	$	–	$	57,416
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of August 31, 2012 are:
	(In thousands)		Total		Level 1		Level 2(1)		Level 3
	Assets:
	Derivative financial instruments		$	2,844	$	–	$	2,844	$	–
	Nonqualified savings plan investments			6,667		6,667		–		–
	Cash equivalents			1,002		1,002		–		–
			$	10,513	$	7,669	$	2,844	$	–
	Liabilities:
	Derivative financial instruments		$	3,145	$	–	$	3,145	$	–
	(1)	Level 2 assets include derivative financial instruments which are valued based on significant observable inputs. See Note 15 Derivative Instruments for further discussion.
	Assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of August 31, 2012 are:
	(In thousands)		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Goodwill		$	137,066	$	–	$	–	$	137,066

Variable_Interest_Entities

Variable Interest Entities	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Variable Interest Entities	'
	Note 26 - Variable Interest Entities
	March 2012 Agreement
	In March 2012, the Company purchased a 1% interest in three trusts (the “Trusts”) which are 99% owned by a third party. As of August 31, 2013, the Company had completed the sale of 1,163 railcars to the Trusts for an aggregate value of $99.6 million.
	Gains and losses are allocated between the Company and the third party equal to their respective ownership interest in the Trusts, with the exception that the Company may be entitled to receive a small portion of excess rent if the actual performance of the Trusts exceeds a target rate of return.
	The Company contributed $6.9 million of cash collateral into restricted cash accounts to support the railcar portfolio meeting a target minimum rate of return. If the actual return is less than the target return, the third party may withdraw amounts in the restricted cash accounts at certain intervals based on predetermined criteria. This obligation expires in March 2033. This $6.9 million, which is held in restricted cash, was recorded as a reduction in revenue on the sale of 1,020 new railcars and a reduction in gain on sale on the sale of the 143 used railcars with a credit to deferred revenue.
	In connection with this transaction, the Company entered into an agreement to provide administrative and remarketing services to the Trusts. The agreement is currently set to expire in March 2033. The Company also entered into an agreement to provide maintenance services to the Trusts during the initial lease term of the railcars. The Company will receive management and maintenance fees under each of the aforementioned agreements.
	The Company has evaluated this relationship under ASC 810-10 and has concluded that the Trusts qualify as variable interest entities and that the Company is not the primary beneficiary. The Company will not consolidate the Trusts and will account for the investments under the equity method of accounting.
	As of August 31, 2013, the carrying amount of the Company’s investment in the Trust is $1.0 million which is recorded in Intangibles and Other Assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	May 2013 Agreement
	In May 2013, the Company purchased an 8% interest in an entity that owns a portfolio of railcar assets that it leases to third parties which is 92% owned by a third party. As of August 31, 2013, the Company has sold 264 railcars manufactured by the Company and subject to operating leases, for $23.2 million to this entity.
	Gains and losses will be allocated between the Company and the third party equal to their respective ownership interest in this entity.
	In connection with this transaction, the Company entered into an agreement to provide administrative and remarketing services to this entity and will earn a management fee for these services. The agreement is currently set to expire in May 2033.
	The Company has evaluated this relationship under ASC 810-10 and has concluded that this entity qualifies as a variable interest entity and that the Company is not the primary beneficiary. The Company will not consolidate this entity and will account for the investment under the equity method of accounting. The Company will eliminate 8% of the revenue and margin on railcars that were manufactured by the Company and sold to this entity.
	As of August 31, 2013, the carrying amount of the Company’s investment in this entity is $1.9 million which is recorded in Intangibles and Other Assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_A

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates	'
	Note 27 - Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates
	In April 2010, WLR–Greenbrier Rail Inc. (WLR-GBX) was formed and acquired a lease fleet of nearly 4,000 railcars valued at approximately $256.0 million. WLR-GBX is wholly owned by affiliates of WL Ross & Co., LLC (WL Ross). The Company paid a $6.1 million contract placement fee to WLR-GBX for the right to perform certain management and advisory services and in exchange will receive management and other fee income and incentive compensation tied to the performance of WLR-GBX. The contract placement fee is accounted for under the equity method and was recorded in Intangibles and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company recorded its share of losses of $2.1 million and $2.5 million for the years ended August 31, 2012 and 2011 against the investment, reducing the investment balance to zero in 2012. While the Company acts as asset manager to WLR-GBX, it is not the primary beneficiary. The Company has no authority to make decisions regarding key business activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, such as asset re-marketing and disposition activities, which requires the approval of affiliates of WL Ross.
		As of August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Current assets	$	7,508		$	8,003
	Total assets	$	230,626		$	240,372
	Current liabilities	$	7,335		$	6,671
	Equity	$	(4,209	)	$	(3,537	)
		Years ended August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Revenue	$	20,230		$	19,403		$	17,943
	Net income (loss)	$	(598	)	$	(6,235	)	$	(5,997	)
	In June 2003, the Company acquired a 33% minority ownership interest in Ohio Castings LLC, a joint venture which produces castings for freight cars. This joint venture is accounted for under the equity method and the investment is included in Intangibles and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The investment balance as of August 31, 2013 was $7.9 million. The facility was temporarily idled during the economic downturn, but was re-opened during the third quarter of 2011.
	Summarized financial data for the castings joint venture is as follows:
		As of August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Current assets	$	15,084		$	16,758
	Total assets	$	23,649		$	26,323
	Current liabilities	$	4,522		$	7,625
	Equity	$	19,127		$	18,698
		Years ended August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Revenue	$	55,307		$	82,698		$	5,813
	Net income (loss)	$	665		$	5,823		$	(5,648	)

GuarantorNon_Guarantor

Guarantor/Non Guarantor	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Guarantor/Non Guarantor	'
	Note 28 - Guarantor/Non Guarantor
	The convertible senior notes due 2026 (the Notes) issued on May 22, 2006 are fully and unconditionally and jointly and severally guaranteed by substantially all of Greenbrier’s material 100% owned U.S. subsidiaries: Autostack Company LLC, Greenbrier-Concarril, LLC, Greenbrier Leasing Company LLC, Greenbrier Leasing Limited Partner, LLC, Greenbrier Management Services, LLC, Greenbrier Leasing, L.P., Greenbrier Railcar LLC, Gunderson LLC, Gunderson Marine LLC, Gunderson Rail Services LLC, Meridian Rail Holding Corp., Meridian Rail Acquisition Corp., Meridian Rail Mexico City Corp., Brandon Railroad LLC, Gunderson Specialty Products, LLC and Greenbrier Railcar Leasing, Inc. No other subsidiaries guarantee the Notes including Greenbrier Union Holdings I LLC, Greenbrier MUL Holdings I LLC, Greenbrier Leasing Limited, Greenbrier Europe B.V., Greenbrier Germany GmbH, WagonySwidnica S.A., Zaklad Naprawczy Taboru Kolejowego Olawa sp. z o.o., Zaklad Transportu Kolejowego SIARKOPOL sp. z o.o., Gunderson-Concarril, S.A. de C.V., Greenbrier Rail Services Canada, Inc., Mexico Meridianrail Services, S.A. de C.V., Greenbrier Railcar Services – Tierra Blanca S.A. de C.V., YSD Doors, S.A. de C.V., Gunderson-Gimsa S.A. de C.V., Greenbrier, S.A. de C.V. and Greenbrier-Gimsa, LLC.
	The following represents the supplemental consolidating condensed financial information of Greenbrier and its guarantor and non guarantor subsidiaries, as of August 31, 2013 and 2012 and for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. The information is presented on the basis of Greenbrier accounting for its ownership of its wholly owned subsidiaries using the equity method of accounting. The equity method investment for each subsidiary is recorded by the parent in intangibles and other assets. Intercompany transactions of goods and services between the guarantor and non guarantor subsidiaries are presented as if the sales or transfers were at fair value to third parties and eliminated in consolidation.
	The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	As of August 31, 2013
		Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Guarantor			Non-Guarantor
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	63,173		$	25		$	34,237		$	–		$	97,435
	Restricted cash		–			1,907			6,900			–			8,807
	Accounts receivable, net		37,623			217,268			54,412			(154,455	)		154,848
	Inventories		–			151,023			165,855			(95	)		316,783
	Leased railcars for syndication		–			68,827			–			(347	)		68,480
	Equipment on operating leases, net		–			304,234			3,809			(2,575	)		305,468
	Property, plant and equipment, net		2,112			103,315			96,106			–			201,533
	Goodwill		–			57,416			–			–			57,416
	Intangibles and other assets, net		716,029			118,541			13,515			(769,114	)		78,971
		$	818,937		$	1,022,556		$	374,834		$	(926,586	)	$	1,289,741
	Liabilities and Equity
	Revolving notes	$	–		$	–		$	48,209		$	–		$	48,209
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		137,631			178,662			154,096			(154,451	)		315,938
	Deferred income taxes		8,093			86,610			–			(8,663	)		86,040
	Deferred revenue		155			8,546			98			39			8,838
	Notes payable		244,856			126,863			2,170			–			373,889
	Total equity-Greenbrier		428,202			621,875			141,945			(763,820	)		428,202
	Noncontrolling interest		–			–			28,316			309			28,625
	Total equity		428,202			621,875			170,261			(763,511	)		456,827
		$	818,937		$	1,022,556		$	374,834		$	(926,586	)	$	1,289,741
	The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	For the year ended August 31, 2013
		Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Guarantor			Non-Guarantor
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Revenue
	Manufacturing	$	–		$	666,171		$	1,001,017		$	(451,454	)	$	1,215,734
	Wheels, Repair & Parts		–			480,849			–			(11,627	)		469,222
	Leasing & Services		806			70,672			1			(17	)		71,462
			806			1,217,692			1,001,018			(463,098	)		1,756,418
	Cost of revenue
	Manufacturing		–			610,379			928,461			(455,951	)		1,082,889
	Wheels, Repair & Parts		–			443,337			–			(11,836	)		431,501
	Leasing & Services		–			35,754			–			(99	)		35,655
			–			1,089,470			928,461			(467,886	)		1,550,045
	Margin		806			128,222			72,557			4,788			206,373
	Selling and administrative		38,636			30,937			33,602			–			103,175
	Net gain on disposition of equipment		–			(16,238	)		(1,276	)		(558	)		(18,072	)
	Goodwill impairment		–			76,900			–			–			76,900
	Restructuring charges		–			2,719			–			–			2,719
	Earnings (loss) from operations		(37,830	)		33,904			40,231			5,346			41,651
	Other costs
	Interest and foreign exchange		15,358			3,901			3,100			(201	)		22,158
	Earnings (loss) before income taxes and earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates		(53,188	)		30,003			37,131			5,547			19,493
	Income tax (expense) benefit		21,367			(36,202	)		(9,067	)		(1,158	)		(25,060	)
	Earnings (loss) before earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates		(31,821	)		(6,199	)		28,064			4,389			(5,567	)
	Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates		20,773			11,532			45			(32,164	)		186
	Net earnings (loss)		(11,048	)		5,333			28,109			(27,775	)		(5,381	)
	Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		–			–			(3,946	)		(1,721	)		(5,667	)
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier	$	(11,048	)	$	5,333		$	24,163		$	(29,496	)	$	(11,048	)
	The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.
	Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the year ended August 31, 2013
(In thousands)	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Guarantor			Non-
				Subsidiaries			Guarantor
							Subsidiaries
Net earnings (loss)	$	(11,048	)	$	5,333		$	28,109		$	(27,775	)	$	(5,381	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Translation adjustment		–			(34	)		1,090			–			1,056
Reclassification of derivative financial instruments recognized in net earnings (loss)		–			1,197			(1,758	)		–			(561	)
Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments		–			(202	)		(197	)		–			(399	)
Other (net of tax effect)		–			–			(203	)		–			(203	)
		–			961			(1,068	)		–			(107	)
Comprehensive income (loss)		(11,048	)		6,294			27,041			(27,775	)		(5,488	)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		–			–			(3,974	)		(1,721	)		(5,695	)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Greenbrier	$	(11,048	)	$	6,294		$	23,067		$	(29,496	)	$	(11,183	)
The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended August 31, 2013
(In thousands)	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Guarantor			Non-Guarantor
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$	(11,048	)	$	5,333		$	28,109		$	(27,775	)	$	(5,381	)
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Deferred income taxes		(1,005	)		(9,983	)		(611	)		1,937			(9,662	)
Depreciation and amortization		2,124			29,688			9,734			(99	)		41,447
Net gain on disposition of equipment		–			(16,238	)		(1,276	)		(558	)		(18,072	)
Accretion of debt discount		2,455			–			–			–			2,455
Stock based compensation expense		6,196			106			–			–			6,302
Goodwill impairment		–			76,900			–			–			76,900
Other		–			1,160			(70	)		(2,145	)		(1,055	)
Decrease (increase) in assets:
Accounts receivable		15,704			(360	)		(6,140	)		(16,527	)		(7,323	)
Inventories		–			4,975			14,280			(210	)		19,045
Leased railcars for syndication		–			25,325			–			(2,444	)		22,881
Other		272			416			28,400			(28,119	)		969
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(626	)		(27,742	)		(3,200	)		16,139			(15,429	)
Deferred revenue		(154	)		(7,505	)		(836	)		10			(8,485	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		13,918			82,075			68,390			(59,791	)		104,592
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of assets		–			74,545			793			–			75,338
Capital expenditures		(515	)		(28,586	)		(32,017	)		291			(60,827	)
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash		–			139			(2,669	)		–			(2,530	)
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates		(28,175	)		(31,325	)		(2,240	)		59,500			(2,240	)
Other		–			–			(3,582	)		–			(3,582	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(28,690	)		14,773			(39,715	)		59,791			6,159
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net changes in revolving notes with maturities of 90 days or less		–			–			(16,396	)		–			(16,396	)
Proceeds from revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days		–			–			38,177			–			38,177
Repayment of revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days		–			–			(34,966	)		–			(34,966	)
Intercompany advances		95,598			(93,991	)		(1,607	)		–			–
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable		–			–			2,186			–			2,186
Repayments of notes payable		(52,868	)		(4,090	)		(1,873	)		–			(58,831	)
Excess tax benefit from restricted stock awards		900			–			–			–			900
Investment by joint venture partner		–			–			3,206			–			3,206
Other		(8	)		–			–			–			(8	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		43,622			(98,081	)		(11,273	)		–			(65,732	)
Effect of exchange rate changes		–			964			(2,119	)		–			(1,155	)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		28,850			(269	)		15,283			–			43,864
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period		34,323			294			18,954			–			53,571
End of period	$	63,173		$	25		$	34,237		$	–		$	97,435
The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of August 31, 2012
(In thousands)	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Guarantor			Non-Guarantor
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	34,323		$	294		$	18,954		$	–		$	53,571
Restricted cash		–			2,047			4,230			–			6,277
Accounts receivable, net		53,326			122,917			45,467			(75,384	)		146,326
Inventories		–			138,236			178,810			(305	)		316,741
Leased railcars for syndication		–			100,590			–			(2,792	)		97,798
Equipment on operating leases, net		–			365,925			–			(2,957	)		362,968
Property, plant and equipment, net		3,721			106,219			72,489			–			182,429
Goodwill		–			137,066			–			–			137,066
Intangibles and other assets, net		688,261			91,278			11,304			(709,475	)		81,368
	$	779,631		$	1,064,572		$	331,254		$	(790,913	)	$	1,384,544
Liabilities and Equity
Revolving notes	$	–		$	–		$	60,755		$	–		$	60,755
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		43,178			205,477			155,844			(74,991	)		329,508
Deferred income taxes		9,097			96,593			–			(10,327	)		95,363
Deferred revenue		310			15,970			901			13			17,194
Notes payable		295,269			130,953			1,857			–			428,079
Total equity Greenbrier		431,777			615,579			90,761			(706,340	)		431,777
Noncontrolling interest		–			–			21,136			732			21,868
Total equity		431,777			615,579			111,897			(705,608	)		453,645
	$	779,631		$	1,064,572		$	331,254		$	(790,913	)	$	1,384,544
The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the year ended August 31, 2012
(In thousands)	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Guarantor			Non-Guarantor
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Revenue
Manufacturing	$	–		$	809,629		$	1,057,996		$	(613,661	)	$	1,253,964
Wheels, Repair & Parts		–			494,359			–			(12,494	)		481,865
Leasing & Services		1,102			71,382			–			(597	)		71,887
		1,102			1,375,370			1,057,996			(626,752	)		1,807,716
Cost of revenue
Manufacturing		–			730,850			996,591			(605,057	)		1,122,384
Wheels, Repair & Parts		–			446,034			–			(12,493	)		433,541
Leasing & Services		–			37,450			–			(79	)		37,371
		–			1,214,334			996,591			(617,629	)		1,593,296
Margin		1,102			161,036			61,405			(9,123	)		214,420
Selling and administrative		42,486			29,383			32,727			–			104,596
Net gain on disposition of equipment		–			(8,963	)		–			(1	)		(8,964	)
Earnings (loss) from operations		(41,384	)		140,616			28,678			(9,122	)		118,788
Other costs
Interest and foreign exchange		18,839			3,754			3,336			(1,120	)		24,809
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates		(60,223	)		136,862			25,342			(8,002	)		93,979
Income tax (expense) benefit		21,560			(51,655	)		(4,362	)		2,064			(32,393	)
		(38,663	)		85,207			20,980			(5,938	)		61,586
Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates		97,371			(537	)		(1	)		(97,249	)		(416	)
Net earnings (loss)		58,708			84,670			20,979			(103,187	)		61,170
Net loss (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interest		–			–			(5,574	)		3,112			(2,462	)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier	$	58,708		$	84,670		$	15,405		$	(100,075	)	$	58,708
The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.
Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the year ended August 31, 2012
(In thousands)	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Guarantor			Non-Guarantor
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Net earnings (loss)	$	58,708		$	84,670		$	20,979		$	(103,187	)	$	61,170
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Translation adjustment		11			(367	)		(3,812	)		–			(4,168	)
Reclassification of derivative financial instruments recognized in net earnings (loss)		–			1,025			3,963			–			4,988
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments		–			(122	)		830			–			708
Other (net of tax effect)		–			–			(130	)		–			(130	)
		11			536			851			–			1,398
Comprehensive income (loss)		58,719			85,206			21,830			(103,187	)		62,568
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		–			–			(5,446	)		3,112			(2,334	)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Greenbrier	$	58,719		$	85,206		$	16,384		$	(100,075	)	$	60,234
The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended August 31, 2012
(In thousands)	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Guarantor			Non-Guarantor
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$	58,708		$	84,670		$	20,979		$	(103,187	)	$	61,170
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Deferred income taxes		23,749			(7,548	)		(2,520	)		(2,064	)		11,617
Depreciation and amortization		2,596			31,618			8,236			(79	)		42,371
Gain on sales of leased equipment		–			(8,963	)		–			(1	)		(8,964	)
Accretion of debt discount		3,259			–			–			–			3,259
Stock based compensation expense		8,757			–			–			–			8,757
Other		–			1,024			37			3,844			4,905
Decrease (increase) in assets:
Accounts receivable		13,197			44,373			(20,223	)		416			37,763
Inventories		–			3,395			313			1			3,709
Leased railcars for syndication		–			(78,863	)		–			2,792			(76,071	)
Other		1,847			(393	)		4,878			(6,332	)		–
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(43,798	)		55,609			4,448			(23	)		16,236
Deferred revenue		(155	)		10,711			735			13			11,304
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		68,160			135,633			16,883			(104,620	)		116,056
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of equipment		–			33,560			–			–			33,560
Capital expenditures		(709	)		(89,531	)		(28,684	)		1,039			(117,885	)
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash		–			66			(4,230	)		–			(4,164	)
Investment in and net advances to unconsolidated affiliates		(103,703	)		230			(614	)		103,581			(506	)
Intercompany advances		19,092			–			–			(19,092	)		–
Other		–			48			–			–			48
Net cash provided by (used in) investing Activities		(85,320	)		(55,627	)		(33,528	)		85,528			(88,947	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net changes in revolving notes with maturities of 90 days or less		(60,000	)		–			2,698			–			(57,302	)
Proceeds from revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days		–			–			63,773			–			63,773
Repayment of revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days		–			–			(33,934	)		–			(33,934	)
Intercompany advances		76,476			(76,936	)		(18,632	)		19,092			–
Proceeds from issuance of notes Payable		–			250			2,500			–			2,750
Repayments of notes payable		–			(4,166	)		(2,904	)		–			(7,070	)
Excess tax benefit from restricted stock awards		1,627			–			–			–			1,627
Investment by joint venture partner		–			–			1,362			–			1,362
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		18,103			(80,852	)		14,863			19,092			(28,794	)
Effect of exchange rate changes		12			611			4,411			–			5,034
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		955			(235	)		2,629			–			3,349
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period		33,368			529			16,325			–			50,222
End of period	$	34,323		$	294		$	18,954		$	–		$	53,571
The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the year ended August 31, 2011
(In thousands)	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Guarantor			Non-Guarantor
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Revenue
Manufacturing	$	1,429		$	413,608		$	532,444		$	(226,379	)	$	721,102
Wheels, Repair & Parts		–			467,544			–			(14,679	)		452,865
Leasing & Services		1,833			68,646			–			(1,156	)		69,323
		3,262			949,798			532,444			(242,214	)		1,243,290
Cost of revenue
Manufacturing		–			394,638			492,855			(226,366	)		661,127
Wheels, Repair & Parts		–			419,824			–			(14,375	)		405,449
Leasing & Services		–			37,253			–			(70	)		37,183
		–			851,715			492,855			(240,811	)		1,103,759
Margin		3,262			98,083			39,589			(1,403	)		139,531
Selling and administrative		37,450			22,256			20,620			–			80,326
Gain on disposition of equipment		–			(8,227	)		–			(142	)		(8,369	)
Earnings (loss) from operations		(34,188	)		84,054			18,969			(1,261	)		67,574
Other costs
Interest and foreign exchange		32,002			4,022			2,134			(1,166	)		36,992
Loss on extinguishment of debt		15,657			–			–			–			15,657
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates		(81,847	)		80,032			16,835			(95	)		14,925
Income tax (expense) benefit		30,940			(32,953	)		(1,642	)		91			(3,564	)
		(50,907	)		47,079			15,193			(4	)		11,361
Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates		57,373			4,196			–			(64,543	)		(2,974	)
Net earnings (loss)		6,466			51,275			15,193			(64,547	)		8,387
Net loss (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interest		–			–			(1,923	)		2			(1,921	)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier	$	6,466		$	51,275		$	13,270		$	(64,545	)	$	6,466
The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.
Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the year ended August 31, 2011
(In thousands)	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Guarantor			Non-Guarantor
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Net earnings (loss)	$	6,466		$	51,275		$	15,193		$	(64,547	)	$	8,387
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Translation adjustment		–			390			1,815			–			2,205
Reclassification of derivative financial instruments recognized in net earnings (loss)		–			(1,100	)		71			–			(1,029	)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments		–			1,560			(3,421	)		–			(1,861	)
Other (net of tax effect)		–			–			(6	)		–			(6	)
		–			850			(1,541	)		–			(691	)
Comprehensive income (loss)		6,466			52,125			13,652			(64,547	)		7,696
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		–			–			(1,923	)		2			(1,921	)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Greenbrier	$	6,466		$	52,125		$	11,729		$	(64,545	)	$	5,775
The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended August 31, 2011
(In thousands)	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Guarantor			Non-Guarantor
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$	6,466		$	51,275		$	15,193		$	(64,547	)	$	8,387
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Deferred income taxes		(15,380	)		16,560			1,311			(92	)		2,399
Depreciation and amortization		2,701			29,413			6,250			(71	)		38,293
Gain on sales of leased equipment		–			(4,979	)		–			(142	)		(5,121	)
Accretion of debt discount		6,583			–			–			–			6,583
Stock based compensation expense		7,073			–			–			–			7,073
Loss on extinguishment of debt (non-cash portion)		8,453			–			–			–			8,453
Other		–			151			(465	)		3			(311	)
Decrease (increase) in assets:
Accounts receivable		3,033			(97,572	)		(1,992	)		(21	)		(96,552	)
Inventories		–			(3,503	)		(113,667	)		304			(116,866	)
Leased railcars for syndication		–			(21,857	)		1,018			–			(20,839	)
Other		4,265			3,181			338			1,079			8,863
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		394			36,161			94,096			22			130,673
Deferred revenue		(155	)		(4,154	)		(978	)		–			(5,287	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		23,433			4,676			1,104			(63,465	)		(34,252	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of equipment		–			18,730			–			–			18,730
Capital expenditures		(1,996	)		(65,140	)		(17,168	)		2			(84,302	)
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash		–			412			–			–			412
Investment in and net advances to unconsolidated affiliates		(57,373	)		(8,420	)		–			63,463			(2,330	)
Intercompany advances		(1,334	)		–			–			1,334			–
Other		–			61			(1,835	)		–			(1,774	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(60,703	)		(54,357	)		(19,003	)		64,799			(69,264	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net changes in revolving notes with maturities of 90 days or less		60,000			–			11,625			–			71,625
Proceeds from revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days		–			–			25,159			–			25,159
Repayment of revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days		–			–			(10,000	)		–			(10,000	)
Intercompany advances		(55,401	)		52,806			3,929			(1,334	)		–
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable		230,000			–			1,250			–			231,250
Debt issuance costs		(11,469	)		–			–						(11,469	)
Repayments of notes payable		(306,750	)		(4,206	)		(404	)		–			(311,360	)
Proceeds from equity offering		63,180			–			–			–			63,180
Expenses from equity offering		(420	)		–			–			–			(420	)
Other		26			–			–			–			26
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(20,834	)		48,600			31,559			(1,334	)		57,991
Effect of exchange rate changes		–			751			(3,868	)		–			(3,117	)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(58,104	)		(330	)		9,792			–			(48,642	)
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period		91,472			859			6,533			–			98,864
End of period	$	33,368		$	529		$	16,325		$	–		$	50,222

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Subsequent Events	'
	Note 29 – Subsequent Events
	In October 2013, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $50 million of the Company’s common stock. Under the share buyback program, shares of common stock may be purchased on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions from time-to-time. The timing and amount of purchases will be based upon market conditions, securities law limitations and other factors. The share buyback program does not obligate the Company to acquire any specific number of shares in any period. The share buyback program expires April 30, 2015, but may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice.
	The Company operates two manufacturing facilities in Sahagun, Mexico, one of which the Company owns and one which is leased. In September 2013, the Company was notified by the landlord of its leased facility that the landlord does not intend to renew the lease following the expiration of the lease term in November 2014. While the Company continues to discuss the potential extension of the lease, the Company is also planning for alternatives to replace the manufacturing capacity of such facility, including potentially through expanding production capacity at the Company’s owned facility in Sahagun, Mexico or at other manufacturing sites.

Quarterly_Results_of_Operation

Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)	'
	Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
	Operating results by quarter for 2013 are as follows:
	(In thousands, except per share amount)		First			Second			Third			Fourth			Total
	2013
	Revenue
	Manufacturing		$	285,368		$	294,047		$	284,591		$	351,728		$	1,215,734
	Wheels, Repair & Parts			112,100			111,952			131,167			114,003			469,222
	Leasing & Services			17,906			17,167			17,905			18,484			71,462
				415,374			423,166			433,663			484,215			1,756,418
	Cost of revenue
	Manufacturing			258,492			262,650			253,360			308,387			1,082,889
	Wheels, Repair & Parts			101,476			103,134			120,476			106,415			431,501
	Leasing & Services			7,627			9,107			9,808			9,113			35,655
				367,595			374,891			383,644			423,915			1,550,045
	Margin			47,779			48,275			50,019			60,300			206,373
	Selling and administrative			26,100			24,942			25,322			26,811			103,175
	Net gain on disposition of equipment			(1,408	)		(3,076	)		(5,131	)		(8,457	)		(18,072	)
	Goodwill impairment			–			–			76,900			–			76,900
	Restructuring charges			–			–			–			2,719			2,719
	Earnings (loss) from operations			23,087			26,409			(47,072	)		39,227			41,651
	Other costs
	Interest and foreign exchange			5,900			6,322			5,905			4,031			22,158
	Earnings (loss) before income tax and earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates			17,187			20,087			(52,977	)		35,196			19,493
	Income tax expense			(4,586	)		(5,590	)		(2,729	)		(12,155	)		(25,060	)
	Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates			(40	)		(105	)		82			249			186
	Net earnings (loss)			12,561			14,392			(55,624	)		23,290			(5,381	)
	Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest			(2,134	)		(553	)		(406	)		(2,574	)		(5,667	)
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier		$	10,427		$	13,839		$	(56,030	)	$	20,716		$	(11,048	)
	Basic earnings (loss) per common share:(1)		$	0.38		$	0.51		$	(2.10	)	$	0.74		$	(0.41	)
	Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:(2)		$	0.35		$	0.45		$	(2.10	)	$	0.64		$	(0.41	)
	-1	Quarterly amounts do not total to the year to date amount as each period is calculated discretely.
	-2	Quarterly amounts do not total to the year to date amount as each period is calculated discretely. For the first, second and fourth quarters, diluted earnings per common share includes the outstanding warrants using the treasury stock method and the dilutive effect of shares underlying the 2018 Convertible Notes using the “if converted” method in which debt issuance and interest costs, net of tax, were added back to net earnings.
	Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
	Operating results by quarter for 2012 are as follows:
	(In thousands, except per share amount)		First			Second			Third			Fourth			Total
	2012
	Revenue
	Manufacturing		$	262,656		$	320,206		$	364,930		$	306,172			$1,253,964
	Wheels, Repair & Parts			117,749			119,894			125,145			119,077			481,865
	Leasing & Services			17,794			18,086			17,722			18,285			71,887
				398,199			458,186			507,797			443,534			1,807,716
	Cost of revenue
	Manufacturing			236,188			290,851			325,424			269,921			1,122,384
	Wheels, Repair & Parts			105,891			106,554			111,610			109,486			433,541
	Leasing & Services			9,663			9,295			8,825			9,588			37,371
				351,742			406,700			445,859			388,995			1,593,296
	Margin			46,457			51,486			61,938			54,539			214,420
	Selling and administrative			23,235			24,979			28,784			27,598			104,596
	Net gain on disposition of equipment			(3,658	)		(2,654	)		(2,585	)		(67	)		(8,964	)
	Earnings from operations			26,880			29,161			35,739			27,008			118,788
	Other costs
	Interest and foreign exchange			5,383			6,630			6,560			6,236			24,809
	Earnings before income tax and earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates			21,497			22,531			29,179			20,772			93,979
	Income tax expense			(7,797	)		(5,348	)		(8,655	)		(10,593	)		(32,393	)
	Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates			(372	)		72			201			(317	)		(416	)
	Net earnings			13,328			17,255			20,725			9,862			61,170
	Net (earnings) loss attributable to Noncontrolling interest			1,189			415			(1,608	)		(2,458	)		(2,462	)
	Net earnings attributable to Greenbrier		$	14,517		$	17,670		$	19,117		$	7,404			$    58,708
	Basic earnings per common share:		$	0.57		$	0.66		$	0.71		$	0.27			$        2.21
	Diluted earnings per common share:(1)		$	0.48		$	0.57		$	0.61		$	0.26			$        1.91
	-1	Quarterly amounts do not total to the year to date amount as each period is calculated discretely. Dilutive earnings per common share includes the outstanding warrants using the treasury stock method and the dilutive effect of shares underlying the 2018 Convertible Notes using the “if converted” method in which debt issuance and interest costs, net of tax, were added back to net earnings.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2013

Principles of consolidation

'

Principles of consolidation - The financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries in which it has a controlling interest. All intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated upon consolidation.

Unclassified Balance Sheet

'

Unclassified Balance Sheet - The balance sheets of the Company are presented in an unclassified format as a result of significant leasing activities for which the current or non-current distinction is not relevant. In addition, the activities of the Manufacturing; Wheels, Repair & Parts; and Leasing & Services segments are so intertwined that in the opinion of management, any attempt to separate the respective balance sheet categories would not be meaningful and may lead to the development of misleading conclusions by the reader.

Foreign currency translation

'

Foreign currency translation - Certain operations outside the U.S., primarily in Poland, prepare financial statements in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates for the year, while assets and liabilities are translated at year-end exchange rates. Translation adjustments are accumulated as a separate component of equity in other comprehensive income (loss). The foreign currency translation adjustment balances were $4.9 million, $6.0 million and $1.9 million as of August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

Cash and cash equivalents

'

Cash and cash equivalents - Cash may temporarily be invested primarily in money market funds. All highly-liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of acquisition are considered cash equivalents.

Restricted cash

'

Restricted cash- Restricted cash relates to amounts held in restricted accounts to support a target minimum rate of return as part of an agreement further described in Note 26 – Variable Interest Entities and a pass through account for activity related to management services provided for certain third party customers.

Accounts receivable

'

Accounts receivable - Accounts receivable are stated net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3.9 million and $3.5 million as of August 31, 2013 and 2012.

As of August 31,

(In thousands)

2013

2012

2011

Allowance for doubtful accounts

Balance at beginning of period

$

3,525

$

3,913

$

3,931

Additions, net of reversals

543

641

351

Usage

(285

)

(663

)

(673

)

Currency translation effect

111

(366

)

304

Balance at end of period

$

3,894

$

3,525

$

3,913

Inventories

'

Inventories - Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market primarily using the first-in first-out method. Work-in-process includes material, labor and overhead.

Leased railcars for syndication

'

Leased railcars for syndication - Leased railcars for syndication consist of newly-built railcars manufactured at one of the Company’s facilities or railcars purchased from a third party, which have been placed on lease to a customer and which the Company intends to sell to an investor with the lease attached. These railcars are not depreciated and are generally anticipated to be sold within six months of delivery of the last railcar or six months from when the Company acquires the railcar from a third party. The Company does not believe any economic value of a railcar is lost in the first six months; therefore the Company does not depreciate these assets. In the event the railcars are not sold, the railcars are transferred to Equipment on operating leases and depreciated.

Equipment on operating leases, net

'

Equipment on operating leases, net - Equipment on operating leases is stated net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation to estimated salvage value is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of up to thirty-five years. Management periodically reviews salvage value estimates based on current scrap prices and what the Company expects to receive upon disposal.

Property, plant and equipment

'

Property, plant and equipment - Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided on the straight-line method over estimated useful lives which are as follows:

Depreciable Life

Buildings and improvements

10 – 25 years

Machinery and equipment

3 – 15 years

Other

3 – 7 years

Goodwill

'

Goodwill - Goodwill is recorded when the purchase price of an acquisition exceeds the fair market value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized and is tested for impairment at least annually and more frequently if material changes in events or circumstances arise. This testing compares carrying values to fair values and if the carrying value of these assets is in excess of fair value, the carrying value is reduced to the implied fair value.

Intangible and other assets, net

'

Intangible and other assets, net - Intangible assets are recorded when a portion of the purchase price of an acquisition is allocated to assets such as customer contracts and relationships, trade names, certifications and backlog. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized using the straight line method over their estimated useful lives and include the following: trade names, 5 years; and long-term customer agreements, 5 to 20 years. Other assets include loan fees and debt acquisition costs which are capitalized and amortized as interest expense over the life of the related borrowings.

Impairment of long-lived assets

'

Impairment of long-lived assets - When changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of certain long-lived assets may not be recoverable, the assets are evaluated for impairment. If the forecasted undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the assets, an impairment charge to reduce the carrying value of the assets to estimated realizable value is recognized in the current period. No impairment was recorded in the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

Maintenance obligations

'

Maintenance obligations - The Company is responsible for maintenance on a portion of the managed and owned lease fleet under the terms of maintenance obligations defined in the underlying lease or management agreement. The estimated liability is based on maintenance histories for each type and age of railcar. The liability, included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, is reviewed periodically and updated based on maintenance trends and known future repair or refurbishment requirements.

Warranty accruals

'

Warranty accruals - Warranty costs are estimated and charged to operations to cover a defined warranty period. The estimated warranty cost is based on history of warranty claims for each particular product type. For new product types without a warranty history, preliminary estimates are based on historical information for similar product types. The warranty accruals, included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, are reviewed periodically and updated based on warranty trends.

Income taxes

'

Income taxes - The liability method is used to account for income taxes. Deferred income taxes are provided for the temporary effects of differences between assets and liabilities recognized for financial statement and income tax reporting purposes. Valuation allowances reduce deferred tax assets to an amount that will more likely than not be realized. As a result, we recognize liabilities for uncertain tax positions based on whether evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit. It is inherently difficult and subjective to estimate such amounts, as this requires us to estimate the probability of various possible outcomes. The Company reevaluates these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. Changes in assumptions may result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision.

Noncontrolling interest

'

Noncontrolling interest - The Company has a joint venture with Grupo Industrial Monclova, S.A. (GIMSA) that manufactures new railroad freight cars for the North American marketplace at GIMSA’s existing manufacturing facility located in Frontera, Mexico. Each party owns a 50% interest in the joint venture. The financial results of this operation are consolidated for financial reporting purposes as the Company maintains a controlling interest as evidenced by the right to appoint the majority of the board of directors, control over accounting, financing, marketing and engineering, and approval and design of products. The noncontrolling interest reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements primarily represents the joint venture partner’s equity in this venture

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

'

Accumulated other comprehensive loss - Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax as appropriate, consisted of the following:

(In thousands)

Unrealized

Pension

Foreign

Accumulated

Gain (Loss)

Adjustment

Currency

Other

on Derivative

Translation

Comprehensive

Financial

Adjustment

Loss

Instruments

Balance, August 31, 2012

$

(93

)

$

(325

)

$

(5,951

)

$

(6,369

)

2013 activity

(960

)

(203

)

1,028

(135

)

Balance, August 31, 2013

$

(1,053

)

$

(528

)

$

(4,923

)

$

(6,504

)

Revenue recognition

'

Revenue recognition - Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.

Railcars are generally manufactured, repaired or refurbished under firm orders from third parties. Revenue is recognized when new, refurbished or repaired railcars are completed, accepted by an unaffiliated customer and contractual contingencies removed. Marine revenues are either recognized on the percentage of completion method during the construction period or on the completed contract method based on the terms of the contract. Cash payments received prior to meeting revenue recognition criteria are accounted for in Deferred revenue. Operating lease revenue is recognized as earned under the lease terms. Certain leases are operated under car hire arrangements whereby revenue is earned based on utilization, car hire rates and terms specified in the lease agreement.

The Company sells railcars with leases attached to financial investors. In addition the Company will often perform management or maintenance services at market rates for these railcars. Pursuant to the guidance in ASC 840-20-40, the Company evaluates the terms of any remarketing agreements and any contractual provisions that represent retained risk and the level of retained risk based on those provisions. The Company applies a 10% threshold to determine whether the level of retained risk exceeds 10% of the individual fair value of the rail cars delivered. For any contracts with multiple elements (i.e. railcars, maintenance, management services, etc) the Company allocates revenue among the deliverables primarily based upon objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of each element in the arrangement. If objective and reliable evidence of fair value of any element is not available, the company will use its estimated selling price for purposes of allocating the total arrangement consideration among the elements.

Interest and foreign exchange

'

Interest and foreign exchange - Includes foreign exchange gains and losses, amortization of loan fee expense, accretion of debt discounts and external interest expense.

Years ended August 31,

(In thousands)

2013

2012

2011

Interest and foreign exchange:

Interest and other expense

$

19,203

$

22,474

$

30,155

Accretion of term loan debt discount

–

–

3,564

Accretion of convertible debt discount

2,455

3,259

3,021

Foreign exchange (gain) loss

500

(924

)

252

$

22,158

$

24,809

$

36,992

Research and development

'

Research and development - Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development costs incurred for new product development during the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were $2.0 million, $2.0 million and $3.0 million.

Net earnings per share

'

Net earnings per share - Basic earnings per common share (EPS) excludes the potential dilution that would occur if additional shares were issued upon exercise of outstanding warrants or conversion of bonds. Restricted share grants are treated as outstanding when issued and restricted stock units are not treated as outstanding when issued. Restricted share grants and restricted stock units are included in weighted average basic common shares outstanding when calculating EPS when the Company is in a net earnings position.

Diluted EPS is calculated using the more dilutive of two approaches. The first approach includes the dilutive effect of outstanding warrants and shares underlying the 2026 Convertible notes in the share count using the treasury stock method. The second approach supplements the first by including the “if converted” effect of the 2018 Convertible notes. Under the “if converted method” debt issuance and interest costs, both net of tax, associated with the convertible notes are added back to net earnings and the share count is increased by the shares underlying the convertible notes. The 2026 Convertible notes would only be included in the calculation of both approaches if the current stock price is greater than the initial conversion price using the treasury stock method.

Stock-based compensation

'

Stock-based compensation - The value, at the date of grant, of stock awarded under restricted share grants and restricted stock unit grants is amortized as compensation expense over the lesser of the vesting period of one to five years or to the recipients eligible retirement date. Compensation expense recognized related to restricted stock for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $6.3 million, $8.8 million and $7.1 million and was recorded in Selling and administrative on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Management estimates

'

Management estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires judgment on the part of management to arrive at estimates and assumptions on matters that are inherently uncertain. These estimates may affect the amount of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities within the financial statements. Estimates and assumptions are periodically evaluated and may be adjusted in future periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Initial Adoption of Accounting Policies

'

Initial Adoption of Accounting Policies - In the first quarter of 2013, the Company adopted an accounting standard update that increased the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. The standard eliminated the option of presenting other comprehensive income as part of the statement of equity and instead requires the Company to present other comprehensive income as either a single statement of comprehensive income combined with net income or as two separate but continuous statements. The adoption of this accounting standard update did impact the presentation of other comprehensive income, as the Company has elected to present two separate but consecutive statements, but did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In the first quarter of 2013, the Company adopted an accounting standard update regarding how entities test goodwill for impairment. This accounting standard update is intended to reduce the cost and complexity of the annual goodwill impairment test by providing entities an option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary. This update impacts testing steps only and therefore the adoption did not have an effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Prospective Accounting Changes

'

Prospective Accounting Changes - In July 2012, an accounting standard update was issued regarding the testing of indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. This update is intended to reduce the cost and complexity of testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment by providing entities with an option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary. This update is effective for the Company as of September 1, 2013. This update impacts testing steps only, and therefore adoption will not have an effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2013, an accounting standard update was issued which amended prior reporting requirements with respect to comprehensive income by requiring additional disclosures about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component. This update is effective for the Company as of September 1, 2013. As this accounting standard update impacts disclosure only, the adoption of this update is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Foreign exchange contracts

'

Derivatives

'

Forward exchange contracts - Foreign operations give rise to risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Forward exchange contracts with established financial institutions are utilized to hedge a portion of such risk. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are deferred in other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized in earnings concurrent with the hedged transaction or when the occurrence of the hedged transaction is no longer considered probable. Ineffectiveness is measured and any gain or loss is recognized in foreign exchange gain or loss. Even though forward exchange contracts are entered into to mitigate the impact of currency fluctuations, certain exposure remains, which may affect operating results. In addition, there is risk for counterparty non-performance.

Interest rate instruments

'

Derivatives

'

Interest rate instruments - Interest rate swap agreements are utilized to reduce the impact of changes in interest rates on certain debt. The net cash amounts paid or received under the agreements are accrued and recognized as an adjustment to interest expense.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'
	Accounts receivable are stated net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3.9 million and $3.5 million as of August 31, 2013 and 2012.
		As of August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Allowance for doubtful accounts
	Balance at beginning of period	$	3,525		$	3,913		$	3,931
	Additions, net of reversals		543			641			351
	Usage		(285	)		(663	)		(673	)
	Currency translation effect		111			(366	)		304
	Balance at end of period	$	3,894		$	3,525		$	3,913
Estimated Useful Lives	'
	Depreciation is provided on the straight-line method over estimated useful lives which are as follows:
		Depreciable Life
	Buildings and improvements		10 – 25 years
	Machinery and equipment		3 – 15 years
	Other		3 – 7 years
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax	'
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax as appropriate, consisted of the following:
	(In thousands)	Unrealized			Pension			Foreign			Accumulated
		Gain (Loss)			Adjustment			Currency			Other
		on Derivative						Translation			Comprehensive
		Financial						Adjustment			Loss
		Instruments
	Balance, August 31, 2012	$	(93	)	$	(325	)	$	(5,951	)	$	(6,369	)
	2013 activity		(960	)		(203	)		1,028			(135	)
	Balance, August 31, 2013	$	(1,053	)	$	(528	)	$	(4,923	)	$	(6,504	)
Interest and Foreign Exchange	'
	Interest and foreign exchange - Includes foreign exchange gains and losses, amortization of loan fee expense, accretion of debt discounts and external interest expense.
		Years ended August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Interest and foreign exchange:
	Interest and other expense	$	19,203		$	22,474		$	30,155
	Accretion of term loan debt discount		–			–			3,564
	Accretion of convertible debt discount		2,455			3,259			3,021
	Foreign exchange (gain) loss		500			(924	)		252
		$	22,158		$	24,809		$	36,992

Restructuring_Tables

Restructuring (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost	'
	(In thousands)	Accrual at		Charged to		Paid or		Accrual at
		August 31,		Expense		Settled		August 31,
		2012						2013
	Employee termination costs	$	–	$	1,610	$	201	$	1,409
	Contract termination costs		–		50		50		–
	Other costs		–		1,059		760		299
	Balance, August 31, 2013	$	–	$	2,719	$	1,011	$	1,708

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Components of Inventories	'
		As of August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Manufacturing supplies and raw materials	$	217,182		$	228,092
	Work-in-process		48,990			71,210
	Finished goods		54,839			22,571
	Excess and obsolete adjustment		(4,228	)		(5,132	)
		$	316,783		$	316,741
Inventory Valuation	'
		As of August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Excess and obsolete adjustment
	Balance at beginning of period	$	5,132		$	4,450		$	4,096
	Charge to cost of revenue		2,661			3,042			1,202
	Disposition of inventory		(3,614	)		(2,210	)		(995	)
	Currency translation effect		49			(150	)		147
	Balance at end of period	$	4,228		$	5,132		$	4,450

Equipment_on_Operating_Leases_1

Equipment on Operating Leases, net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Aggregate Minimum Future Amounts Receivable Under All Non-Cancelable Operating Leases and Subleases	'
	Aggregate minimum future amounts receivable under all non-cancelable operating leases and subleases are as follows:
	(In thousands)
	Year ending August 31,
	2014	$	22,793
	2015		15,367
	2016		7,565
	2017		4,113
	2018		2,262
	Thereafter		2,896
		$	54,996

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_n1

Property, Plant and Equipment, net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	'
		As of August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Land and improvements	$	36,132		$	34,214
	Machinery and equipment		233,737			198,141
	Buildings and improvements		110,030			94,514
	Other		52,094			63,541
			431,993			390,410
	Accumulated depreciation		(230,460	)		(207,981	)
		$	201,533		$	182,429

Goodwill_Tables

Goodwill (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Changes in Carrying Value of Goodwill	'
	Changes in the carrying value of goodwill are as follows:
	(In thousands)		Manufacturing		Wheels, Repair			Leasing		Total
					& Parts			& Services
	Balance August 31, 2012		$	–	$	137,066		$	–	$	137,066
	Reductions(1)			–		(2,750	)		–		(2,750	)
	Goodwill impairment(2)			–		(76,900	)		–		(76,900	)
	Balance August 31, 2013		$	–	$	57,416		$	–	$	57,416
	-1	Reduction in goodwill relates to the sale of the Company’s roller bearing operations in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.
	(2)	Goodwill impairment relates to the non-cash goodwill impairment charge recognized as part of the Company’s annual goodwill impairment analysis as further discussed below.

Intangibles_and_Other_Assets_n1

Intangibles and Other Assets, net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Identifiable Intangible and Other Assets	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s identifiable intangible and other assets balance:
		As of August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Intangible assets subject to amortization:
	Customer relationships	$	66,288		$	66,825
	Accumulated amortization		(26,964	)		(22,995	)
	Other intangibles		4,967			4,906
	Accumulated amortization		(4,162	)		(3,779	)
			40,129			44,957
	Intangible assets not subject to amortization		912			912
	Investment in unconsolidated affiliates		10,739			8,301
	Prepaid and other assets		10,601			10,337
	Debt issuance costs, net		7,802			10,194
	Nonqualified savings plan investments		7,687			6,667
	Assets held for sale		1,101			–
		$	78,971		$	81,368

Accounts_Payable_and_Accrued_L1

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	'
		As of August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013		2012
	Trade payables	$	163,490	$	186,639
	Other accrued liabilities		70,691		71,677
	Accrued payroll and related liabilities		42,047		37,915
	Income taxes payable		13,094		9,625
	Accrued maintenance		11,420		11,475
	Accrued warranty		12,128		9,221
	Other		3,068		2,956
		$	315,938	$	329,508

Maintenance_and_Warranty_Accru1

Maintenance and Warranty Accruals (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Maintenance and Warranty Accruals	'
		As of August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Accrued maintenance
	Balance at beginning of period	$	11,475		$	10,865		$	12,460
	Charged to cost of revenue		9,003			10,750			12,034
	Payments		(9,058	)		(10,140	)		(13,629	)
	Balance at end of period	$	11,420		$	11,475		$	10,865
	Accrued warranty
	Balance at beginning of period	$	9,221		$	8,645		$	6,304
	Charged to cost of revenue		6,157			2,496			3,856
	Payments		(3,315	)		(1,746	)		(1,547	)
	Currency translation effect		65			(174	)		32
	Balance at end of period	$	12,128		$	9,221		$	8,645

Notes_Payable_Tables

Notes Payable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Notes Payable	'
			As of August 31,
	(In thousands)		2013		2012
	Convertible senior notes, due 2018		$	230,000	$	230,000
	Convertible senior notes, due 2026			14,856		67,724
	Term loans			128,783		132,553
	Other notes payable			250		257
				373,889		430,534
	Debt discount on convertible senior notes due 2026, net of accretion			–		(2,455	)
			$	373,889	$	428,079
Principal Payments on the Notes Payable	'
	Principal payments on the notes payable are expected as follows:
	(In thousands)
	Year ending August 31,
	2014		$	85,147
	2015			42,620
	2016(1)			15,465
	2017			437
	2018			230,220
	Thereafter			–
			$	373,889
	(1)	The repayment of the $14.9 million of Convertible senior notes due 2026 is assumed to occur in 2016, which is the next date holders can require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the notes.

Derivative_Instruments_Tables

Derivative Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments	'
	Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
		Asset Derivatives									Liability Derivatives
				August 31,									August 31,
				2013				2012					2013				2012
	(In thousands)	Balance sheet		Fair				Fair			Balance sheet		Fair				Fair
		location		Value				Value			location		Value				Value
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
	Foreign forward exchange contracts	Accounts receivable		$	819			$	2,703		Accounts payable		$	342			$	182
											and accrued liabilities
	Interest rate swap	Other assets			–				–		Accounts payable			1,250				2,861
	contracts										and accrued liabilities
				$	819			$	2,703				$	1,592			$	3,043
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
	Foreign forward exchange contracts	Accounts receivable		$	223			$	141		Accounts payable		$	40			$	102
											and accrued liabilities
Effect of Derivative Instruments on Statement of Operations	'
	The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Operations
	Derivatives in cash	Location of gain (loss) recognized in		Gain (loss) recognized in
	flow hedging relationships	income on derivative		income on derivative
				Years ended
				August 31,
				2013				2012
	Foreign forward exchange contract	Interest and foreign exchange		$	(204	)		$	371
	Derivatives in	Gain (loss)								Location of	Gain (loss)								Location of	Gain
	cash flow	recognized in OCI on								gain (loss)	reclassified from								gain (loss)	recognized on
	hedging	derivatives (effective								reclassified	accumulated OCI into								in income on	derivative
	relationships	portion)								from	income (effective								derivative	(ineffective
		Years								accumulated	portion)								(ineffective	portion and
		ended August 31,								OCI into	Years								portion and	amount
										income	ended August 31,								amount	excluded from
																			excluded from	effectiveness
																			effectiveness	testing)
																			testing)	Years
																				ended
																				August 31,
		2013				2012					2013				2012					2013		2012
	Foreign forward exchange contracts	$	(570	)		$	136			Revenue	$	1,917			$	(4,615	)		Interest and foreign exchange	$	2,410	$	1,403
	Interest rate swap contracts		(68	)			(153	)		Interest and foreign exchange		(1,679	)			(1,678	)		Interest and foreign exchange		–		–
		$	(638	)		$	(17	)			$	238			$	(6,293	)			$	2,410	$	1,403

Equity_Tables

Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Summary of Restricted Stock Share and Restricted Stock Unit Grant Transactions for Shares, both Vested and Unvested	'
	The following table summarizes restricted share and restricted stock unit grant transactions for shares, both vested and unvested, under the 2010 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan:
			Shares
	Balance at September 1, 2010(1)			1,799,573
	Granted			309,380
	Forfeited			(4,000	)
	Balance at August 31, 2011(1)			2,104,953
	Granted			466,680
	Forfeited			(6,283	)
	Balance at August 31, 2012(1)			2,565,350
	Granted			387,986
	Forfeited			(13,333	)
	Balance at August 31, 2013(1)			2,940,003
	(1)	Balance represents cumulative grants net of forfeitures.
Summary of Stock Option Transactions for Shares under Option and Related Weighted Average Option Price	'
	The following table summarizes stock option transactions for shares under option and the related weighted average option price:
			Shares			Weighted
						Average
						Option
						Price
	Balance at September 1, 2010			5,500		$	4.74
	Exercised			(5,500	)	$	4.74
	Balance at August 31, 2011			–		$	–
	Exercised			–		$	–
	Balance at August 31, 2012			–		$	–
	Exercised			–		$	–
	Balance at August 31, 2013			–		$	–

Earnings_Loss_per_Share_Tables

Earnings (Loss) per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Reconciliation of Shares Used in Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	'
	The shares used in the computation of the Company’s basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share are reconciled as follows:
			Years ended August 31,
	(In thousands)		2013		2012		2011
	Weighted average basic common shares outstanding(1)			26,678		26,572		24,100
	Dilutive effect of warrants(2)			–		1,101		2,401
	Dilutive effect of convertible notes(2)(3)			–		6,045		–
	Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding			26,678		33,718		26,501
	-1	Restricted stock grants and restricted stock units, including some grants subject to certain performance criteria, are included in weighted average basic common shares outstanding when the Company is in a net earnings position. Weighted average basic common shares outstanding exclude 0.9 million shares of unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units for the year ended August 31, 2013 as they are anti-dilutive due to a net loss. No restricted stock or warrants were anti-dilutive for the years ended August 31, 2012 and 2011.
	(2)	The dilutive effect of common stock equivalents is excluded from the share calculations for the year ended August 31, 2013 due to a net loss.
	-3	In 2012, the dilutive effect of the 2018 Convertible notes are included as they were considered dilutive under the “if converted” method. In 2011, the dilutive effect of the 2018 Convertible Notes was excluded from the share calculation as it was the less dilutive of the two approaches further discussed below. The dilutive effect of the 2026 Convertible notes was excluded from the share calculations as the stock price for each year presented was less than the initial conversion price of $48.05 and therefore considered anti-dilutive.
Approach to Calculate Diluted Earning per Share	'
			Year Ended August 31, 2012
	Net earnings attributable to Greenbrier		$	58,708
	Add back:
	Interest and debt issuance costs on the 2018 Convertible notes, net of tax			5,677
	Earnings before interest and debt issuance costs on convertible notes		$	64,385
	Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding			33,718
	Diluted earnings per share(1)		$	1.91
	-1	Diluted earnings per share was calculated as follows:
	Earnings before interest and debt issuance costs on convertible notes
	Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Components of Income Tax Expense of Continuing Operations	'
	Components of income tax expense of continuing operations were as follows:
		Years ended August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Current
	Federal	$	20,162		$	10,750		$	(683	)
	State		2,491			2,783			620
	Foreign		11,465			8,548			333
			34,118			22,081			270
	Deferred
	Federal		(6,597	)		19,426			2,956
	State		(2,357	)		(3,399	)		351
	Foreign		(134	)		(6	)		239
			(9,088	)		16,021			3,546
	Change in valuation allowance		30			(5,710	)		(252	)
		$	25,060		$	32,392		$	3,564
Reconciliation Between Effective and Statutory Tax Rates on Continuing Operations	'
	The reconciliation between effective and statutory tax rates on continuing operations were as follows:
		Years ended August 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Federal statutory rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit		(1.2	)		(1.9	)		4.1
	Impact of foreign operations		(19.1	)		(2.1	)		(2.1	)
	Change in valuation allowance related to deferred tax asset		1.3			(6.1	)		(1.7	)
	Change in income tax reserve for uncertain tax positions		(7.1	)		(0.1	)		(0.8	)
	Reversal of net deferred tax assets related to foreign restructuring		–			1.9			–
	Noncontrolling interest in flow through entity		(1.2	)		(0.4	)		(5.1	)
	Permanent differences		4.5			5.4			(7.1	)
	Goodwill impairment		119			–			–
	Other		(2.6	)		2.8			1.6
			128.6	%		34.5	%		23.9	%
Tax Effects of Temporary Differences that give rise to Significant Portions of Deferred Tax Assets and Deferred Tax Liabilities	'
	The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities were as follows:
		As of August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Contract placement	$	2,051		$	2,145
	Maintenance and warranty accruals		7,963			7,127
	Accrued payroll and related liabilities		8,616			13,193
	Deferred revenue		4,072			3,702
	Inventories and other		8,708			8,449
	Derivative instruments and translation adjustment		478			1,132
	Investment and asset tax credits		1,324			337
	Net operating loss		2,168			8,409
			35,380			44,494
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Fixed assets		107,725			111,915
	Original issue discount		2,962			12,064
	Intangibles		4,792			9,977
	Deferred gain on redemption of debt		4,430			4,430
	Other		31			36
			119,940			138,422
	Valuation allowance		1,480			1,435
	Net deferred tax liability	$	86,040		$	95,363
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	'
	The following is a tabular reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits for the years presented:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Unrecognized Tax Benefit – Opening Balance	$	3,720		$	3,053		$	3,526
	Gross increases – tax positions in prior period		511			878			–
	Gross decreases – tax positions in prior period		(2,942	)		(211	)		(233	)
	Settlements		–			–			(193	)
	Lapse of statute of limitations		–			–			(47	)
	Unrecognized Tax Benefit – Ending Balance	$	1,289		$	3,720		$	3,053

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Segments' Internal Financial Reports	'
	The information in the following table is derived directly from the segments’ internal financial reports used for corporate management purposes.
			Years ended August 31,
	(In thousands)		2013			2012			2011
	Revenue:
	Manufacturing		$	1,200,613		$	1,370,900		$	770,596
	Wheels, Repair & Parts			484,180			498,336			492,355
	Leasing & Services			90,203			90,538			70,498
	Intersegment eliminations			(18,578	)		(152,058	)		(90,159	)
			$	1,756,418		$	1,807,716		$	1,243,290
	Margin:
	Manufacturing		$	132,845		$	131,580		$	59,975
	Wheels, Repair & Parts			37,721			48,324			47,416
	Leasing & Services			35,807			34,516			32,140
			$	206,373		$	214,420		$	139,531
	Assets:
	Manufacturing		$	401,630		$	402,976		$	423,295
	Wheels, Repair & Parts			318,483			413,013			400,643
	Leasing & Services			463,381			508,539			424,839
	Unallocated			106,247			60,016			52,878
			$	1,289,741		$	1,384,544		$	1,301,655
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Manufacturing		$	13,469		$	11,754		$	9,853
	Wheels, Repair & Parts			12,843			13,265			11,853
	Leasing & Services			15,135			17,352			16,587
			$	41,447		$	42,371		$	38,293
	Capital expenditures:
	Manufacturing		$	37,017		$	33,313		$	20,016
	Wheels, Repair & Parts			7,492			11,248			20,087
	Leasing & Services			16,318			73,324			44,199
			$	60,827		$	117,885		$	84,302
Summary of Selected Geographic Information	'
	The following table summarizes selected geographic information.
			Years ended August 31,
	(In thousands)		2013			2012			2011
	Revenue(1):
	U.S.		$	1,544,775		$	1,642,348		$	1,103,423
	Foreign			211,643			165,368			139,867
			$	1,756,418		$	1,807,716		$	1,243,290
	Identifiable assets:
	U.S.		$	865,294		$	982,078		$	1,000,249
	Canada			756			718			–
	Mexico			348,144			323,318			228,406
	Europe			75,547			78,430			73,000
			$	1,289,741		$	1,384,544		$	1,301,655
	(1)	Revenue is presented on the basis of geographic location of customers.
Reconciliation of Segment Margin to Earnings Before Income Tax and Earnings (Loss) from Unconsolidated Affiliates	'
	Reconciliation of segment margin to earnings before income tax and earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates:
			Years ended August 31,
	(In thousands)		2013			2012			2011
	Segment margin		$	206,373		$	214,420		$	139,531
	Less unallocated items:
	Selling and administrative			103,175			104,596			80,326
	Net gain on disposition of equipment			(18,072	)		(8,964	)		(8,369	)
	Goodwill impairment			76,900			–			–
	Restructuring charges			2,719			–			–
	Interest and foreign exchange			22,158			24,809			36,992
	Loss on extinguishment of debt			–			–			15,657
	Earnings before income tax and earnings (loss) from		$	19,493		$	93,979		$	14,925
	unconsolidated affiliates

Lease_Commitments_Tables

Lease Commitments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Railcar Equipment	'
Aggregate Minimum Future Amounts Payable Under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases	'
	Aggregate minimum future amounts payable under these non-cancelable railcar equipment leases are as follows:
	(In thousands)
	Year ending August 31,
	2014	$	5,720
	2015		4,867
	2016		940
	2017		517
	2018		–
	Thereafter		–
		$	12,044
Domestic railcar repair facilities, office space and certain manufacturing and office equipment	'
Aggregate Minimum Future Amounts Payable Under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases	'
	Aggregate minimum future amounts payable under these non-cancelable operating leases are as follows:
	(In thousands)
	Year ending August 31,
	2014	$	6,710
	2015		3,435
	2016		2,393
	2017		2,184
	2018		1,620
	Thereafter		3,666
		$	20,008

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments and Methods and Assumptions Used	'
	The estimated fair values of financial instruments and the methods and assumptions used to estimate such fair values are as follows:
	(In thousands)	Carrying		Estimated
		Amount		Fair Value
	Notes payable as of August 31, 2013	$	373,889	$	324,631
	Notes payable as of August 31, 2012	$	428,079	$	364,062

Fair_Value_Measures_Tables

Fair Value Measures (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	'
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of August 31, 2013 are:
	(In thousands)		Total		Level 1		Level 2(1)		Level 3
	Assets:
	Derivative financial instruments		$	1,042	$	–	$	1,042	$	–
	Nonqualified savings plan investments			7,687		7,687		–		–
	Cash equivalents			1,004		1,004		–		–
			$	9,733	$	8,691	$	1,042	$	–
	Liabilities:
	Derivative financial instruments		$	1,632	$	–	$	1,632	$	–
	(1)	Level 2 assets include derivative financial instruments which are valued based on significant observable inputs. See Note 15 Derivative Instruments for further discussion.
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of August 31, 2012 are:
	(In thousands)		Total		Level 1		Level 2(1)		Level 3
	Assets:
	Derivative financial instruments		$	2,844	$	–	$	2,844	$	–
	Nonqualified savings plan investments			6,667		6,667		–		–
	Cash equivalents			1,002		1,002		–		–
			$	10,513	$	7,669	$	2,844	$	–
	Liabilities:
	Derivative financial instruments		$	3,145	$	–	$	3,145	$	–
	(1)	Level 2 assets include derivative financial instruments which are valued based on significant observable inputs. See Note 15 Derivative Instruments for further discussion.
Assets or Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Nonrecurring Basis	'
	Assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of August 31, 2013 are:
	(In thousands)		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Goodwill		$	57,416	$	–	$	–	$	57,416
	Assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of August 31, 2012 are:
	(In thousands)		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Goodwill		$	137,066	$	–	$	–	$	137,066

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_A1

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
WLR-GBX	'
Summarized Financial Data	'
		As of August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Current assets	$	7,508		$	8,003
	Total assets	$	230,626		$	240,372
	Current liabilities	$	7,335		$	6,671
	Equity	$	(4,209	)	$	(3,537	)
		Years ended August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Revenue	$	20,230		$	19,403		$	17,943
	Net income (loss)	$	(598	)	$	(6,235	)	$	(5,997	)
Ohio Castings LLC	'
Summarized Financial Data	'
	Summarized financial data for the castings joint venture is as follows:
		As of August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Current assets	$	15,084		$	16,758
	Total assets	$	23,649		$	26,323
	Current liabilities	$	4,522		$	7,625
	Equity	$	19,127		$	18,698
		Years ended August 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Revenue	$	55,307		$	82,698		$	5,813
	Net income (loss)	$	665		$	5,823		$	(5,648	)

GuarantorNon_Guarantor_Tables

Guarantor/Non Guarantor (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet	'
	The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	As of August 31, 2013
		Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Guarantor			Non-Guarantor
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	63,173		$	25		$	34,237		$	–		$	97,435
	Restricted cash		–			1,907			6,900			–			8,807
	Accounts receivable, net		37,623			217,268			54,412			(154,455	)		154,848
	Inventories		–			151,023			165,855			(95	)		316,783
	Leased railcars for syndication		–			68,827			–			(347	)		68,480
	Equipment on operating leases, net		–			304,234			3,809			(2,575	)		305,468
	Property, plant and equipment, net		2,112			103,315			96,106			–			201,533
	Goodwill		–			57,416			–			–			57,416
	Intangibles and other assets, net		716,029			118,541			13,515			(769,114	)		78,971
		$	818,937		$	1,022,556		$	374,834		$	(926,586	)	$	1,289,741
	Liabilities and Equity
	Revolving notes	$	–		$	–		$	48,209		$	–		$	48,209
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		137,631			178,662			154,096			(154,451	)		315,938
	Deferred income taxes		8,093			86,610			–			(8,663	)		86,040
	Deferred revenue		155			8,546			98			39			8,838
	Notes payable		244,856			126,863			2,170			–			373,889
	Total equity-Greenbrier		428,202			621,875			141,945			(763,820	)		428,202
	Noncontrolling interest		–			–			28,316			309			28,625
	Total equity		428,202			621,875			170,261			(763,511	)		456,827
		$	818,937		$	1,022,556		$	374,834		$	(926,586	)	$	1,289,741
	The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	As of August 31, 2012
	(In thousands)	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Guarantor			Non-Guarantor
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	34,323		$	294		$	18,954		$	–		$	53,571
	Restricted cash		–			2,047			4,230			–			6,277
	Accounts receivable, net		53,326			122,917			45,467			(75,384	)		146,326
	Inventories		–			138,236			178,810			(305	)		316,741
	Leased railcars for syndication		–			100,590			–			(2,792	)		97,798
	Equipment on operating leases, net		–			365,925			–			(2,957	)		362,968
	Property, plant and equipment, net		3,721			106,219			72,489			–			182,429
	Goodwill		–			137,066			–			–			137,066
	Intangibles and other assets, net		688,261			91,278			11,304			(709,475	)		81,368
		$	779,631		$	1,064,572		$	331,254		$	(790,913	)	$	1,384,544
	Liabilities and Equity
	Revolving notes	$	–		$	–		$	60,755		$	–		$	60,755
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		43,178			205,477			155,844			(74,991	)		329,508
	Deferred income taxes		9,097			96,593			–			(10,327	)		95,363
	Deferred revenue		310			15,970			901			13			17,194
	Notes payable		295,269			130,953			1,857			–			428,079
	Total equity Greenbrier		431,777			615,579			90,761			(706,340	)		431,777
	Noncontrolling interest		–			–			21,136			732			21,868
	Total equity		431,777			615,579			111,897			(705,608	)		453,645
		$	779,631		$	1,064,572		$	331,254		$	(790,913	)	$	1,384,544
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations	'
	The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	For the year ended August 31, 2013
		Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Guarantor			Non-Guarantor
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Revenue
	Manufacturing	$	–		$	666,171		$	1,001,017		$	(451,454	)	$	1,215,734
	Wheels, Repair & Parts		–			480,849			–			(11,627	)		469,222
	Leasing & Services		806			70,672			1			(17	)		71,462
			806			1,217,692			1,001,018			(463,098	)		1,756,418
	Cost of revenue
	Manufacturing		–			610,379			928,461			(455,951	)		1,082,889
	Wheels, Repair & Parts		–			443,337			–			(11,836	)		431,501
	Leasing & Services		–			35,754			–			(99	)		35,655
			–			1,089,470			928,461			(467,886	)		1,550,045
	Margin		806			128,222			72,557			4,788			206,373
	Selling and administrative		38,636			30,937			33,602			–			103,175
	Net gain on disposition of equipment		–			(16,238	)		(1,276	)		(558	)		(18,072	)
	Goodwill impairment		–			76,900			–			–			76,900
	Restructuring charges		–			2,719			–			–			2,719
	Earnings (loss) from operations		(37,830	)		33,904			40,231			5,346			41,651
	Other costs
	Interest and foreign exchange		15,358			3,901			3,100			(201	)		22,158
	Earnings (loss) before income taxes and earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates		(53,188	)		30,003			37,131			5,547			19,493
	Income tax (expense) benefit		21,367			(36,202	)		(9,067	)		(1,158	)		(25,060	)
	Earnings (loss) before earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates		(31,821	)		(6,199	)		28,064			4,389			(5,567	)
	Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates		20,773			11,532			45			(32,164	)		186
	Net earnings (loss)		(11,048	)		5,333			28,109			(27,775	)		(5,381	)
	Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		–			–			(3,946	)		(1,721	)		(5,667	)
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier	$	(11,048	)	$	5,333		$	24,163		$	(29,496	)	$	(11,048	)
	The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	For the year ended August 31, 2012
	(In thousands)	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Guarantor			Non-Guarantor
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Revenue
	Manufacturing	$	–		$	809,629		$	1,057,996		$	(613,661	)	$	1,253,964
	Wheels, Repair & Parts		–			494,359			–			(12,494	)		481,865
	Leasing & Services		1,102			71,382			–			(597	)		71,887
			1,102			1,375,370			1,057,996			(626,752	)		1,807,716
	Cost of revenue
	Manufacturing		–			730,850			996,591			(605,057	)		1,122,384
	Wheels, Repair & Parts		–			446,034			–			(12,493	)		433,541
	Leasing & Services		–			37,450			–			(79	)		37,371
			–			1,214,334			996,591			(617,629	)		1,593,296
	Margin		1,102			161,036			61,405			(9,123	)		214,420
	Selling and administrative		42,486			29,383			32,727			–			104,596
	Net gain on disposition of equipment		–			(8,963	)		–			(1	)		(8,964	)
	Earnings (loss) from operations		(41,384	)		140,616			28,678			(9,122	)		118,788
	Other costs
	Interest and foreign exchange		18,839			3,754			3,336			(1,120	)		24,809
	Earnings (loss) before income taxes and earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates		(60,223	)		136,862			25,342			(8,002	)		93,979
	Income tax (expense) benefit		21,560			(51,655	)		(4,362	)		2,064			(32,393	)
			(38,663	)		85,207			20,980			(5,938	)		61,586
	Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates		97,371			(537	)		(1	)		(97,249	)		(416	)
	Net earnings (loss)		58,708			84,670			20,979			(103,187	)		61,170
	Net loss (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interest		–			–			(5,574	)		3,112			(2,462	)
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier	$	58,708		$	84,670		$	15,405		$	(100,075	)	$	58,708
	The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
	For the year ended August 31, 2011
(In thousands)	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Guarantor			Non-Guarantor
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Revenue
Manufacturing	$	1,429		$	413,608		$	532,444		$	(226,379	)	$	721,102
Wheels, Repair & Parts		–			467,544			–			(14,679	)		452,865
Leasing & Services		1,833			68,646			–			(1,156	)		69,323
		3,262			949,798			532,444			(242,214	)		1,243,290
Cost of revenue
Manufacturing		–			394,638			492,855			(226,366	)		661,127
Wheels, Repair & Parts		–			419,824			–			(14,375	)		405,449
Leasing & Services		–			37,253			–			(70	)		37,183
		–			851,715			492,855			(240,811	)		1,103,759
Margin		3,262			98,083			39,589			(1,403	)		139,531
Selling and administrative		37,450			22,256			20,620			–			80,326
Gain on disposition of equipment		–			(8,227	)		–			(142	)		(8,369	)
Earnings (loss) from operations		(34,188	)		84,054			18,969			(1,261	)		67,574
Other costs
Interest and foreign exchange		32,002			4,022			2,134			(1,166	)		36,992
Loss on extinguishment of debt		15,657			–			–			–			15,657
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates		(81,847	)		80,032			16,835			(95	)		14,925
Income tax (expense) benefit		30,940			(32,953	)		(1,642	)		91			(3,564	)
		(50,907	)		47,079			15,193			(4	)		11,361
Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates		57,373			4,196			–			(64,543	)		(2,974	)
Net earnings (loss)		6,466			51,275			15,193			(64,547	)		8,387
Net loss (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interest		–			–			(1,923	)		2			(1,921	)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier	$	6,466		$	51,275		$	13,270		$	(64,545	)	$	6,466
Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.
	Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	For the year ended August 31, 2013
	(In thousands)	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Guarantor			Non-
					Subsidiaries			Guarantor
								Subsidiaries
	Net earnings (loss)	$	(11,048	)	$	5,333		$	28,109		$	(27,775	)	$	(5,381	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)
	Translation adjustment		–			(34	)		1,090			–			1,056
	Reclassification of derivative financial instruments recognized in net earnings (loss)		–			1,197			(1,758	)		–			(561	)
	Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments		–			(202	)		(197	)		–			(399	)
	Other (net of tax effect)		–			–			(203	)		–			(203	)
			–			961			(1,068	)		–			(107	)
	Comprehensive income (loss)		(11,048	)		6,294			27,041			(27,775	)		(5,488	)
	Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		–			–			(3,974	)		(1,721	)		(5,695	)
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Greenbrier	$	(11,048	)	$	6,294		$	23,067		$	(29,496	)	$	(11,183	)
	The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.
	Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	For the year ended August 31, 2012
	(In thousands)	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Guarantor			Non-Guarantor
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Net earnings (loss)	$	58,708		$	84,670		$	20,979		$	(103,187	)	$	61,170
	Other comprehensive income (loss)
	Translation adjustment		11			(367	)		(3,812	)		–			(4,168	)
	Reclassification of derivative financial instruments recognized in net earnings (loss)		–			1,025			3,963			–			4,988
	Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments		–			(122	)		830			–			708
	Other (net of tax effect)		–			–			(130	)		–			(130	)
			11			536			851			–			1,398
	Comprehensive income (loss)		58,719			85,206			21,830			(103,187	)		62,568
	Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		–			–			(5,446	)		3,112			(2,334	)
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Greenbrier	$	58,719		$	85,206		$	16,384		$	(100,075	)	$	60,234
	The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.
	Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	For the year ended August 31, 2011
	(In thousands)	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Guarantor			Non-Guarantor
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Net earnings (loss)	$	6,466		$	51,275		$	15,193		$	(64,547	)	$	8,387
	Other comprehensive income (loss)
	Translation adjustment		–			390			1,815			–			2,205
	Reclassification of derivative financial instruments recognized in net earnings (loss)		–			(1,100	)		71			–			(1,029	)
	Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments		–			1,560			(3,421	)		–			(1,861	)
	Other (net of tax effect)		–			–			(6	)		–			(6	)
			–			850			(1,541	)		–			(691	)
	Comprehensive income (loss)		6,466			52,125			13,652			(64,547	)		7,696
	Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		–			–			(1,923	)		2			(1,921	)
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Greenbrier	$	6,466		$	52,125		$	11,729		$	(64,545	)	$	5,775
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows	'
	The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	For the year ended August 31, 2013
	(In thousands)	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Guarantor			Non-Guarantor
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net earnings (loss)	$	(11,048	)	$	5,333		$	28,109		$	(27,775	)	$	(5,381	)
	Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
	Deferred income taxes		(1,005	)		(9,983	)		(611	)		1,937			(9,662	)
	Depreciation and amortization		2,124			29,688			9,734			(99	)		41,447
	Net gain on disposition of equipment		–			(16,238	)		(1,276	)		(558	)		(18,072	)
	Accretion of debt discount		2,455			–			–			–			2,455
	Stock based compensation expense		6,196			106			–			–			6,302
	Goodwill impairment		–			76,900			–			–			76,900
	Other		–			1,160			(70	)		(2,145	)		(1,055	)
	Decrease (increase) in assets:
	Accounts receivable		15,704			(360	)		(6,140	)		(16,527	)		(7,323	)
	Inventories		–			4,975			14,280			(210	)		19,045
	Leased railcars for syndication		–			25,325			–			(2,444	)		22,881
	Other		272			416			28,400			(28,119	)		969
	Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(626	)		(27,742	)		(3,200	)		16,139			(15,429	)
	Deferred revenue		(154	)		(7,505	)		(836	)		10			(8,485	)
	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		13,918			82,075			68,390			(59,791	)		104,592
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Proceeds from sales of assets		–			74,545			793			–			75,338
	Capital expenditures		(515	)		(28,586	)		(32,017	)		291			(60,827	)
	Decrease (increase) in restricted cash		–			139			(2,669	)		–			(2,530	)
	Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates		(28,175	)		(31,325	)		(2,240	)		59,500			(2,240	)
	Other		–			–			(3,582	)		–			(3,582	)
	Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(28,690	)		14,773			(39,715	)		59,791			6,159
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Net changes in revolving notes with maturities of 90 days or less		–			–			(16,396	)		–			(16,396	)
	Proceeds from revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days		–			–			38,177			–			38,177
	Repayment of revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days		–			–			(34,966	)		–			(34,966	)
	Intercompany advances		95,598			(93,991	)		(1,607	)		–			–
	Proceeds from issuance of notes payable		–			–			2,186			–			2,186
	Repayments of notes payable		(52,868	)		(4,090	)		(1,873	)		–			(58,831	)
	Excess tax benefit from restricted stock awards		900			–			–			–			900
	Investment by joint venture partner		–			–			3,206			–			3,206
	Other		(8	)		–			–			–			(8	)
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		43,622			(98,081	)		(11,273	)		–			(65,732	)
	Effect of exchange rate changes		–			964			(2,119	)		–			(1,155	)
	Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		28,850			(269	)		15,283			–			43,864
	Cash and cash equivalents
	Beginning of period		34,323			294			18,954			–			53,571
	End of period	$	63,173		$	25		$	34,237		$	–		$	97,435
	The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	For the year ended August 31, 2012
	(In thousands)	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Guarantor			Non-Guarantor
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net earnings (loss)	$	58,708		$	84,670		$	20,979		$	(103,187	)	$	61,170
	Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
	Deferred income taxes		23,749			(7,548	)		(2,520	)		(2,064	)		11,617
	Depreciation and amortization		2,596			31,618			8,236			(79	)		42,371
	Gain on sales of leased equipment		–			(8,963	)		–			(1	)		(8,964	)
	Accretion of debt discount		3,259			–			–			–			3,259
	Stock based compensation expense		8,757			–			–			–			8,757
	Other		–			1,024			37			3,844			4,905
Decrease (increase) in assets:
Accounts receivable		13,197			44,373			(20,223	)		416			37,763
Inventories		–			3,395			313			1			3,709
Leased railcars for syndication		–			(78,863	)		–			2,792			(76,071	)
Other		1,847			(393	)		4,878			(6,332	)		–
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(43,798	)		55,609			4,448			(23	)		16,236
Deferred revenue		(155	)		10,711			735			13			11,304
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		68,160			135,633			16,883			(104,620	)		116,056
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of equipment		–			33,560			–			–			33,560
Capital expenditures		(709	)		(89,531	)		(28,684	)		1,039			(117,885	)
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash		–			66			(4,230	)		–			(4,164	)
Investment in and net advances to unconsolidated affiliates		(103,703	)		230			(614	)		103,581			(506	)
Intercompany advances		19,092			–			–			(19,092	)		–
Other		–			48			–			–			48
Net cash provided by (used in) investing Activities		(85,320	)		(55,627	)		(33,528	)		85,528			(88,947	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net changes in revolving notes with maturities of 90 days or less		(60,000	)		–			2,698			–			(57,302	)
Proceeds from revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days		–			–			63,773			–			63,773
Repayment of revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days		–			–			(33,934	)		–			(33,934	)
Intercompany advances		76,476			(76,936	)		(18,632	)		19,092			–
Proceeds from issuance of notes Payable		–			250			2,500			–			2,750
Repayments of notes payable		–			(4,166	)		(2,904	)		–			(7,070	)
Excess tax benefit from restricted stock awards		1,627			–			–			–			1,627
Investment by joint venture partner		–			–			1,362			–			1,362
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		18,103			(80,852	)		14,863			19,092			(28,794	)
Effect of exchange rate changes		12			611			4,411			–			5,034
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		955			(235	)		2,629			–			3,349
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period		33,368			529			16,325			–			50,222
End of period	$	34,323		$	294		$	18,954		$	–		$	53,571
The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended August 31, 2011
(In thousands)	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Guarantor			Non-Guarantor
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$	6,466		$	51,275		$	15,193		$	(64,547	)	$	8,387
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Deferred income taxes		(15,380	)		16,560			1,311			(92	)		2,399
Depreciation and amortization		2,701			29,413			6,250			(71	)		38,293
Gain on sales of leased equipment		–			(4,979	)		–			(142	)		(5,121	)
Accretion of debt discount		6,583			–			–			–			6,583
Stock based compensation expense		7,073			–			–			–			7,073
Loss on extinguishment of debt (non-cash portion)		8,453			–			–			–			8,453
Other		–			151			(465	)		3			(311	)
Decrease (increase) in assets:
Accounts receivable		3,033			(97,572	)		(1,992	)		(21	)		(96,552	)
Inventories		–			(3,503	)		(113,667	)		304			(116,866	)
Leased railcars for syndication		–			(21,857	)		1,018			–			(20,839	)
Other		4,265			3,181			338			1,079			8,863
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		394			36,161			94,096			22			130,673
Deferred revenue		(155	)		(4,154	)		(978	)		–			(5,287	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		23,433			4,676			1,104			(63,465	)		(34,252	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of equipment		–			18,730			–			–			18,730
Capital expenditures		(1,996	)		(65,140	)		(17,168	)		2			(84,302	)
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash		–			412			–			–			412
Investment in and net advances to unconsolidated affiliates		(57,373	)		(8,420	)		–			63,463			(2,330	)
Intercompany advances		(1,334	)		–			–			1,334			–
Other		–			61			(1,835	)		–			(1,774	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(60,703	)		(54,357	)		(19,003	)		64,799			(69,264	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net changes in revolving notes with maturities of 90 days or less		60,000			–			11,625			–			71,625
Proceeds from revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days		–			–			25,159			–			25,159
Repayment of revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days		–			–			(10,000	)		–			(10,000	)
Intercompany advances		(55,401	)		52,806			3,929			(1,334	)		–
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable		230,000			–			1,250			–			231,250
Debt issuance costs		(11,469	)		–			–						(11,469	)
Repayments of notes payable		(306,750	)		(4,206	)		(404	)		–			(311,360	)
Proceeds from equity offering		63,180			–			–			–			63,180
Expenses from equity offering		(420	)		–			–			–			(420	)
Other		26			–			–			–			26
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(20,834	)		48,600			31,559			(1,334	)		57,991
Effect of exchange rate changes		–			751			(3,868	)		–			(3,117	)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(58,104	)		(330	)		9,792			–			(48,642	)
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period		91,472			859			6,533			–			98,864
End of period	$	33,368		$	529		$	16,325		$	–		$	50,222

Quarterly_Results_of_Operation1

Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Data	'
	Operating results by quarter for 2013 are as follows:
	(In thousands, except per share amount)		First			Second			Third			Fourth			Total
	2013
	Revenue
	Manufacturing		$	285,368		$	294,047		$	284,591		$	351,728		$	1,215,734
	Wheels, Repair & Parts			112,100			111,952			131,167			114,003			469,222
	Leasing & Services			17,906			17,167			17,905			18,484			71,462
				415,374			423,166			433,663			484,215			1,756,418
	Cost of revenue
	Manufacturing			258,492			262,650			253,360			308,387			1,082,889
	Wheels, Repair & Parts			101,476			103,134			120,476			106,415			431,501
	Leasing & Services			7,627			9,107			9,808			9,113			35,655
				367,595			374,891			383,644			423,915			1,550,045
	Margin			47,779			48,275			50,019			60,300			206,373
	Selling and administrative			26,100			24,942			25,322			26,811			103,175
	Net gain on disposition of equipment			(1,408	)		(3,076	)		(5,131	)		(8,457	)		(18,072	)
	Goodwill impairment			–			–			76,900			–			76,900
	Restructuring charges			–			–			–			2,719			2,719
	Earnings (loss) from operations			23,087			26,409			(47,072	)		39,227			41,651
	Other costs
	Interest and foreign exchange			5,900			6,322			5,905			4,031			22,158
	Earnings (loss) before income tax and earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates			17,187			20,087			(52,977	)		35,196			19,493
	Income tax expense			(4,586	)		(5,590	)		(2,729	)		(12,155	)		(25,060	)
	Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates			(40	)		(105	)		82			249			186
	Net earnings (loss)			12,561			14,392			(55,624	)		23,290			(5,381	)
	Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest			(2,134	)		(553	)		(406	)		(2,574	)		(5,667	)
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier		$	10,427		$	13,839		$	(56,030	)	$	20,716		$	(11,048	)
	Basic earnings (loss) per common share:(1)		$	0.38		$	0.51		$	(2.10	)	$	0.74		$	(0.41	)
	Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:(2)		$	0.35		$	0.45		$	(2.10	)	$	0.64		$	(0.41	)
	-1	Quarterly amounts do not total to the year to date amount as each period is calculated discretely.
	-2	Quarterly amounts do not total to the year to date amount as each period is calculated discretely. For the first, second and fourth quarters, diluted earnings per common share includes the outstanding warrants using the treasury stock method and the dilutive effect of shares underlying the 2018 Convertible Notes using the “if converted” method in which debt issuance and interest costs, net of tax, were added back to net earnings.
	Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
	Operating results by quarter for 2012 are as follows:
	(In thousands, except per share amount)		First			Second			Third			Fourth			Total
	2012
	Revenue
	Manufacturing		$	262,656		$	320,206		$	364,930		$	306,172			$1,253,964
	Wheels, Repair & Parts			117,749			119,894			125,145			119,077			481,865
	Leasing & Services			17,794			18,086			17,722			18,285			71,887
				398,199			458,186			507,797			443,534			1,807,716
	Cost of revenue
	Manufacturing			236,188			290,851			325,424			269,921			1,122,384
	Wheels, Repair & Parts			105,891			106,554			111,610			109,486			433,541
	Leasing & Services			9,663			9,295			8,825			9,588			37,371
				351,742			406,700			445,859			388,995			1,593,296
	Margin			46,457			51,486			61,938			54,539			214,420
	Selling and administrative			23,235			24,979			28,784			27,598			104,596
	Net gain on disposition of equipment			(3,658	)		(2,654	)		(2,585	)		(67	)		(8,964	)
	Earnings from operations			26,880			29,161			35,739			27,008			118,788
	Other costs
	Interest and foreign exchange			5,383			6,630			6,560			6,236			24,809
	Earnings before income tax and earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates			21,497			22,531			29,179			20,772			93,979
	Income tax expense			(7,797	)		(5,348	)		(8,655	)		(10,593	)		(32,393	)
	Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates			(372	)		72			201			(317	)		(416	)
	Net earnings			13,328			17,255			20,725			9,862			61,170
	Net (earnings) loss attributable to Noncontrolling interest			1,189			415			(1,608	)		(2,458	)		(2,462	)
	Net earnings attributable to Greenbrier		$	14,517		$	17,670		$	19,117		$	7,404			$    58,708
	Basic earnings per common share:		$	0.57		$	0.66		$	0.71		$	0.27			$        2.21
	Diluted earnings per common share:(1)		$	0.48		$	0.57		$	0.61		$	0.26			$        1.91
	-1	Quarterly amounts do not total to the year to date amount as each period is calculated discretely. Dilutive earnings per common share includes the outstanding warrants using the treasury stock method and the dilutive effect of shares underlying the 2018 Convertible Notes using the “if converted” method in which debt issuance and interest costs, net of tax, were added back to net earnings.

Nature_of_Operations_Additiona

Nature of Operations - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
	Segment
	Vehicle
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]	'
Number of business segments	3
Number of railcars owned	8,600
Number of railcars that get services	224,000

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2006
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$4,900,000	$6,000,000	$1,900,000	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts	3,894,000	3,525,000	3,913,000	3,931,000	'
Estimated useful lives	'35 years	'	'	'	'
Interest in joint venture	'	'	'	'	50.00%
Research and development	2,000,000	2,000,000	3,000,000	'	'
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	'	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock expense	$6,300,000	$8,800,000	$7,100,000	'	'
Restricted Stock | Minimum	'	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Vesting period	'1 year	'	'	'	'
Restricted Stock | Maximum	'	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Vesting period	'5 years	'	'	'	'
Trade Names	'	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives	'5 years	'	'	'	'
Customer Relationships | Minimum	'	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives	'5 years	'	'	'	'
Customer Relationships | Maximum	'	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives	'20 years	'	'	'	'

Allowance_for_Doubtful_Account

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Allowance for doubtful accounts	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$3,525	$3,913	$3,931
Additions, net of reversals	543	641	351
Usage	-285	-663	-673
Currency translation effect	111	-366	304
Balance at end of period	$3,894	$3,525	$3,913

Estimated_Useful_Lives_Detail

Estimated Useful Lives (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Property Plant and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment useful life	'35 years
Building and improvements | Minimum	'
Property Plant and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment useful life	'10 years
Building and improvements | Maximum	'
Property Plant and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment useful life	'25 years
Machinery and equipment | Minimum	'
Property Plant and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment useful life	'3 years
Machinery and equipment | Maximum	'
Property Plant and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment useful life	'15 years
Other | Minimum	'
Property Plant and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment useful life	'3 years
Other | Maximum	'
Property Plant and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment useful life	'7 years

Components_of_Accumulated_Othe

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Beginning balance	($6,369)
2013 activity	-135
Ending balance	-6,504
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Financial Instruments	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Beginning balance	-93
2013 activity	-960
Ending balance	-1,053
Pension Adjustment	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Beginning balance	-325
2013 activity	-203
Ending balance	-528
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Beginning balance	-5,951
2013 activity	1,028
Ending balance	($4,923)

Interest_and_Foreign_Exchange_

Interest and Foreign Exchange (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	31-May-12	Feb. 28, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Interest Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest and other expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$19,203	$22,474	$30,155
Accretion of term loan debt discount	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,564
Accretion of convertible debt discount	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,455	3,259	3,021
Foreign exchange (gain) loss	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	500	-924	252
Interest and foreign exchange	$4,031	$5,905	$6,322	$5,900	$6,236	$6,560	$6,630	$5,383	$22,158	$24,809	$36,992

Restructuring_Additional_Infor

Restructuring - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring charges	$2,719	$2,719

Restructuring_Reserve_by_Type_

Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Charged to Expense	$2,719	$2,719
Paid or Settled	'	1,011
Accrual at end of Period	1,708	1,708
Employee termination costs	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Charged to Expense	'	1,610
Paid or Settled	'	201
Accrual at end of Period	1,409	1,409
Contract termination costs	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Charged to Expense	'	50
Paid or Settled	'	50
Other costs	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Charged to Expense	'	1,059
Paid or Settled	'	760
Accrual at end of Period	$299	$299

Loss_on_Extinguishment_of_Debt1

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2011
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]	'
Gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt	$15,657,000
Senior Unsecured Notes	'
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]	'
Write-off of unamortized debt	2,900,000
Prepayment premiums and other costs	7,200,000
Retirement of senior unsecured notes	235,000,000
Term Loan	'
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]	'
Write-off of unamortized debt	1,700,000
Debt discount	3,900,000
Retirement of term loan	$71,800,000

Components_of_Inventories_Deta

Components of Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Manufacturing supplies and raw materials	$217,182	$228,092
Work-in-process	48,990	71,210
Finished goods	54,839	22,571
Excess and obsolete adjustment	-4,228	-5,132
Inventories	$316,783	$316,741

Inventory_Valuation_Detail

Inventory Valuation (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at end of period	$4,228	$5,132	'
Excess and obsolete adjustment	'	'	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	5,132	4,450	4,096
Charge to cost of revenue	2,661	3,042	1,202
Disposition of inventory	-3,614	-2,210	-995
Currency translation effect	49	-150	147
Balance at end of period	$4,228	$5,132	$4,450

Leased_Railcars_for_Syndicatio1

Leased Railcars for Syndication - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Leased Railcars For Syndication [Line Items]	'	'
Leased railcars for syndication	$68,480	$97,798

Equipment_on_Operating_Leases_2

Equipment on Operating Leases, net - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accumulated depreciation	$230,460,000	$207,981,000	'
Depreciation expense	41,447,000	42,371,000	38,293,000
Revenue associated with equipment hiring arrangements	24,300,000	23,400,000	18,700,000
Property Subject to Operating Lease	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accumulated depreciation	97,800,000	100,200,000	'
Depreciation expense	$12,000,000	$13,600,000	$12,900,000

Aggregate_Minimum_Future_Amoun

Aggregate Minimum Future Amounts Receivable Under All Non-Cancelable Operating Leases and Subleases (Detail) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Future Minimum Payments Receivable [Line Items]	'
2014	$22,793
2015	15,367
2016	7,565
2017	4,113
2018	2,262
Thereafter	2,896
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, Total	$54,996

Recovered_Sheet1

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net (Detail) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property plant and equipment	$431,993	$390,410
Accumulated depreciation	-230,460	-207,981
Property, plant and equipment, net	201,533	182,429
Land and improvements	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property plant and equipment	36,132	34,214
Machinery and equipment	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property plant and equipment	233,737	198,141
Building and improvements	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property plant and equipment	110,030	94,514
Other	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property plant and equipment	$52,094	$63,541

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_n2

Property, Plant and Equipment, net - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Depreciation expense	$25.10	$23.30	$20.70

Changes_in_Carrying_Value_of_G

Changes in Carrying Value of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-13	Aug. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	'	$137,066
Reductions	'	-2,750	[1]
Goodwill impairment	-76,900	-76,900	[2]
Ending Balance	'	57,416
Wheels, Repair & Parts	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	'	137,066
Reductions	'	-2,750	[1]
Goodwill impairment	'	-76,900	[2]
Ending Balance	'	$57,416
[1]	Reduction in goodwill relates to the sale of the Company's roller bearing operations in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.
[2]	Goodwill impairment relates to the non-cash goodwill impairment charge recognized as part of the Company's annual goodwill impairment analysis as further discussed below.

Goodwill_Additional_Informatio

Goodwill - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	31-May-13	Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'		'
Pre tax impairment charge	$76,900,000	$76,900,000	[1]	'
Gross goodwill	'	195,800,000		195,800,000
Accumulated goodwill impairment losses	'	128,200,000		51,300,000
Wheels, Repair & Parts	'	'		'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'		'
Pre tax impairment charge	'	$76,900,000	[1]	'
[1]	Goodwill impairment relates to the non-cash goodwill impairment charge recognized as part of the Company's annual goodwill impairment analysis as further discussed below.

Identifiable_Intangible_and_Ot

Identifiable Intangible and Other Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$40,129	$44,957
Intangible assets not subject to amortization	912	912
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	10,739	8,301
Prepaid and other assets	10,601	10,337
Debt issuance costs, net	7,802	10,194
Nonqualified savings plan investments	7,687	6,667
Assets held for sale	1,101	'
Total intangible and other assets	78,971	81,368
Customer Relationships	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'
Finite lived intangible assets gross	66,288	66,825
Accumulated amortization	-26,964	-22,995
Other Intangible Assets	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'
Finite lived intangible assets gross	4,967	4,906
Accumulated amortization	($4,162)	($3,779)

Recovered_Sheet2

Intangibles and Other Assets, Net - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Schedule of Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortization expense	$4.30	$5.60	$4.70
Future amortization expense, 2014	4	'	'
Future amortization expense, 2015	3.9	'	'
Future amortization expense, 2016	3.9	'	'
Future amortization expense, 2017	3.8	'	'
Future amortization expense, 2018	$3.50	'	'

Revolving_Notes_Additional_Inf

Revolving Notes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

North American Revolving Credit Facility

North American Revolving Credit Facility

European Credit Facilities

Mexican Joint Venture Credit Facility

Mexican Joint Venture Credit Facility

Senior Secured Credit Facility Revolving Line Of Credit

Senior Secured Credit Facility Revolving Line Of Credit

Senior Secured Credit Facility Revolving Line Of Credit

Senior Secured Credit Facility Revolving Line Of Credit

Senior Secured Credit Facility Revolving Line Of Credit

Senior Secured Credit Facility Revolving Line Of Credit

Senior Secured Credit Facility Revolving Line Of Credit

Senior Secured Credit Facility Revolving Line Of Credit

Senior Secured Credit Facility Revolving Line Of Credit

CreditFacility

North American Revolving Credit Facility

European Credit Facilities

European Credit Facilities

European Credit Facilities

Mexican Joint Venture Credit Facility

Mexican Joint Venture Credit Facility

Mexican Joint Venture Credit Facility

Mexican Joint Venture Credit Facility

Minimum

Maximum

Facility

First Line of Credit

Second Line of Credit

Minimum

First Line of Credit

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of senior secured credit facilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility maximum capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

$358.90

$290

$18.90

'

'

$50

$20

$30

'

Line of credit maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2016-06

'

'2013-12

'2015-06

'

'

'2015-02

'2013-12

LIBOR plus rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Prime plus rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Variable rate above WIBOR rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.30%

1.50%

'

'

'

'

Number of lines of credits

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

Interest on borrowings above LIBOR rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.50%

2.00%

'

Letter of credit facility outstanding amount

6.8

6.8

5.6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility outstanding amount

'

'

'

$15.80

$48.20

$45

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounts_Payable_and_Accrued_L2

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Trade payables	$163,490	$186,639	'	'
Other accrued liabilities	70,691	71,677	'	'
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	42,047	37,915	'	'
Income taxes payable	13,094	9,625	'	'
Accrued maintenance	11,420	11,475	10,865	12,460
Accrued warranty	12,128	9,221	8,645	6,304
Other	3,068	2,956	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$315,938	$329,508	'	'

Maintenance_and_Warranty_Accru2

Maintenance and Warranty Accruals (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Accrued maintenance	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$11,475	$10,865	$12,460
Charged to cost of revenue	9,003	10,750	12,034
Payments	-9,058	-10,140	-13,629
Balance at end of period	11,420	11,475	10,865
Accrued warranty	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	9,221	8,645	6,304
Charged to cost of revenue	6,157	2,496	3,856
Payments	-3,315	-1,746	-1,547
Currency translation effect	65	-174	32
Balance at end of period	$12,128	$9,221	$8,645

Notes_Payable_Detail

Notes Payable (Detail) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Term loans	$128,783	$132,553
Other notes payable	250	257
Debt instrument face amount	373,889	430,534
Notes payable	373,889	428,079
2018 Senior Notes	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Convertible senior notes	230,000	230,000
2026 Senior Notes	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Convertible senior notes	14,856	67,724
Convertible Notes	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt discount, net of accretion	'	($2,455)

Notes_Payable_Additional_Infor

Notes Payable - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	31-May-13	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Debt issuance costs	'	$7,802,000	$10,194,000	'
Payment of aggregate principal amount of notes	'	58,831,000	7,070,000	311,360,000
Senior term note	'	373,889,000	430,534,000	'
2018 Senior Notes	'	'	'	'
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Convertible senior notes, fixed interest rate	'	3.50%	'	'
Description of long term debt	'	'Convertible senior notes, due 2018, bear interest at a fixed rate of 3.5%, paid semi-annually in arrears on April 1stand October 1st.	'	'
Convertible notes maturity date	'	1-Apr-18	'	'
Convertible notes initial conversion rate, shares	'	26.2838	'	'
Convertible notes initial conversion rate, principal amount	'	1,000	'	'
Convertible notes initial conversion rate, per share	'	$38.05	'	'
Debt issuance costs	'	7,900,000	'	'
2026 Senior Notes	'	'	'	'
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Convertible senior notes, fixed interest rate	'	2.38%	'	'
Description of long term debt	'	'Convertible senior notes, due 2026, bear interest at a fixed rate of 2.375%, paid semi-annually in arrears on May 15thand November 15th.	'	'
Convertible notes initial conversion rate, shares	'	20.8125	'	'
Convertible notes initial conversion rate, principal amount	'	1,000	'	'
Convertible notes initial conversion rate, per share	'	$48.05	'	'
Payment of aggregate principal amount of notes	52,900,000	'	'	'
Outstanding balance of retired notes	67,700,000	'	'	'
Contingent interest rate	'	0.38%	'	'
Percentage of notes redemption price	'	100.00%	'	'
Repurchase of notes description	'	'On May 15, 2016 and May 15, 2021 or in the event of certain fundamental changes, holders can require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of their notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest.	'	'
Repurchase percentage price of principal of notes amount	'	100.00%	'	'
Equity component of debt	'	14,900,000	14,900,000	'
Accretion of debt discount, before tax	'	2,500,000	3,200,000	3,000,000
Senior Notes Due March 2014	'	'	'	'
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Senior term note	'	100,000,000	'	'
Floating interest on borrowings above LIBOR rate	'	1.00%	'	'
Periodic Principal Payment	'	700,000	'	'
Balloon payment	'	81,800,000	'	'
Debt instrument amount outstanding	'	83,100,000	'	'
Swap agreement interest rate	'	50.00%	'	'
Fixed interest rate	'	5.24%	'	'
Notional amount of note	'	41,600,000	'	'
Senior Notes Due May 2015	'	'	'	'
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Senior term note	'	50,000,000	'	'
Floating interest on borrowings above LIBOR rate	'	1.00%	'	'
Periodic Principal Payment	'	300,000	'	'
Balloon payment	'	41,200,000	'	'
Debt instrument amount outstanding	'	43,300,000	'	'
Other Term Loans Due from October 2013 to February 2018	'	'	'	'
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Senior term note	'	$2,400,000	'	'

Principal_Payments_on_Notes_Pa

Principal Payments on Notes Payable (Detail) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Project Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal [Line Items]	'		'
2014	$85,147		'
2015	42,620		'
2016	15,465	[1]	'
2017	437		'
2018	230,220		'
Thereafter	'		'
Debt instrument face amount	$373,889		$430,534
[1]	The repayment of the $14.9 million of Convertible senior notes due 2026 is assumed to occur in 2016, which is the next date holders can require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the notes.

Principal_Payments_on_Notes_Pa1

Principal Payments on Notes Payable (Parenthetical) (Detail) (2026 Senior Notes, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013
2026 Senior Notes	'
Project Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal [Line Items]	'
Repayment of Convertible senior notes	$14.90

Derivative_Instruments_Additio

Derivative Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Interest rates, that would be reclassified to interest expense in the next 12 months	$1.30
Interest Rate Swap	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Aggregate derivative notional amount	41.6
Unrealized pre-tax gain (loss)	-1.3
Maturity date	'2014-03
Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Aggregate derivative notional amount	53.4
Unrealized pre-tax gain (loss)	($0.30)

Fair_Values_of_Derivative_Inst

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments (Detail) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Designated as Hedging Instrument	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Asset Derivatives	$819	$2,703
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Liability Derivatives	1,592	3,043
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts | Accounts Receivable	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Asset Derivatives	819	2,703
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts | Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Liability Derivatives	342	182
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest Rate Swap | Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Liability Derivatives	1,250	2,861
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts | Accounts Receivable	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Asset Derivatives	223	141
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts | Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Liability Derivatives	$40	$102

Effect_of_Derivative_Instrumen

Effect of Derivative Instruments on Statement of Operations (Detail) (Cash Flow Hedging, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in OCI on derivatives (effective portion)	($638)	($17)
Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	238	-6,293
Gain Recognized on Derivative (Ineffective portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	2,410	1,403
Foreign Exchange Forward | Interest and Foreign Exchange	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in income on derivative	-204	371
Foreign Exchange	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in OCI on derivatives (effective portion)	-570	136
Foreign Exchange | Interest and Foreign Exchange	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Gain Recognized on Derivative (Ineffective portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	2,410	1,403
Foreign Exchange | Sales Revenue, Services, Net	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	1,917	-4,615
Interest Rate Swap Contract	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in OCI on derivatives (effective portion)	-68	-153
Interest Rate Swap Contract | Interest and Foreign Exchange	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	($1,679)	($1,678)

Equity_Additional_Information_

Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2013	Dec. 16, 2010	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock shares issued	'	3,000,000	'	'	'
Common stock price per share	'	$21.06	'	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	'	$62.80	'	'	'
Total number of additional shares reserved for issuance	1,500,000	'	'	'	'
Maximum aggregate number of common shares authorized for issuance	4,325,000	'	'	'	'
Shares available for grant	'	'	1,384,997	259,650	720,047
Restricted stock grants	'	'	387,986	466,680	309,380
Unamortized compensation cost of restricted stock grants	'	'	12.5	'	'
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock compensation expense	'	'	6.3	8.8	7.1
Performance Shares	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Unvested restricted stock grants	'	'	516,495	'	'
Additional shares available for grant	'	'	535,945	'	'
Restricted Stock | Minimum	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Vesting period of compensation expense	'	'	'1 year	'	'
Restricted Stock | Maximum	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Vesting period of compensation expense	'	'	'5 years	'	'
Unvested Restricted Stock Grants	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Unvested restricted stock grants	'	'	913,918	903,554	'
Fair value of awards granted	'	'	$9.20	9.5	7.2

Summary_of_Restricted_Stock_Sh

Summary of Restricted Stock Share and Restricted Stock Unit Grant Transactions for Shares, both Vested and Unvested (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 31, 2012		Aug. 31, 2011
Reconciliation of Restricted Stock Activity [Line Items]	'		'		'
Beginning Balance	2,565,350	[1]	2,104,953	[1]	1,799,573	[1]
Granted	387,986		466,680		309,380
Forfeited	-13,333		-6,283		-4,000
Ending Balance	2,940,003	[1]	2,565,350	[1]	2,104,953	[1]
[1]	Balance represents cumulative grants net of forfeitures.

Summary_of_Stock_Option_Transa

Summary of Stock Option Transactions for Shares under Option and Related Weighted Average Option Price (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2011
Shares	'
Beginning Balance	5,500
Exercised	-5,500
Weighted Average Exercise Price	'
Beginning Balance	$4.74
Exercised	$4.74

Reconciliation_of_Basic_and_Di

Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Detail)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 31, 2012		Aug. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding	26,678	[1]	26,572	[1]	24,100	[1]
Dilutive effect of warrants	'		1,101	[2]	2,401	[2]
Dilutive effect of convertible notes	'		6,045	[2],[3]	'
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding	26,678		33,718		26,501
[1]	Restricted stock grants and restricted stock units, including some grants subject to certain performance criteria, are included in weighted average basic common shares outstanding when the Company is in a net earnings position. Weighted average basic common shares outstanding exclude 0.9 million shares of unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units for the year ended August 31, 2013 as they are anti-dilutive due to a net loss. No restricted stock or warrants were anti-dilutive for the years ended August 31, 2012 and 2011.
[2]	The dilutive effect of common stock equivalents is excluded from the share calculations for the year ended August 31, 2013 due to a net loss.
[3]	In 2012, the dilutive effect of the 2018 Convertible notes are included as they were considered dilutive under the "if converted" method. In 2011, the dilutive effect of the 2018 Convertible Notes was excluded from the share calculation as it was the less dilutive of the two approaches further discussed below. The dilutive effect of the 2026 Convertible notes was excluded from the share calculations as the stock price for each year presented was less than the initial conversion price of $48.05 and therefore considered anti-dilutive.

Reconciliation_of_Basic_and_Di1

Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013
2026 Senior Notes	'
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Convertible notes initial conversion rate, per share	48.05
Restricted Stock	'
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from calculation	0.9

Earnings_Loss_Per_Share_Additi

Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) (2026 Senior Notes, USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013
2026 Senior Notes	'
Computation Of Earnings Per Share Line Items	'
Convertible notes initial conversion rate, per share	$48.05

Approach_to_Calculate_Diluted_

Approach to Calculate Diluted Earning Per Share (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified

Aug. 31, 2013

31-May-13

Feb. 28, 2013

Nov. 30, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

31-May-12

Feb. 28, 2012

Nov. 30, 2011

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2011

Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net earnings attributable to Greenbrier

$20,716

($56,030)

$13,839

$10,427

$7,404

$19,117

$17,670

$14,517

($11,048)

$58,708

$6,466

Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

26,678

33,718

26,501

Diluted earnings per share

$0.64

[1]

($2.10)

[1]

$0.45

[1]

$0.35

[1]

$0.26

[2]

$0.61

[2]

$0.57

[2]

$0.48

[2]

($0.41)

[1]

$1.91

[2],[3]

$0.24

2018 Senior Notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest and debt issuance costs on the 2018 Convertible notes, net of tax

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,677

'

Earnings before interest and debt issuance costs on convertible notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$64,385

'

[1]

Quarterly amounts do not total to the year to date amount as each period is calculated discretely. For the first, second and fourth quarters, diluted earnings per common share includes the outstanding warrants using the treasury stock method and the dilutive effect of shares underlying the 2018 Convertible Notes using the "if converted" method in which debt issuance and interest costs, net of tax, were added back to net earnings.

[2]

Quarterly amounts do not total to the year to date amount as each period is calculated discretely. Dilutive earnings per common share includes the outstanding warrants using the treasury stock method and the dilutive effect of shares underlying the 2018 Convertible Notes using the "if converted" method in which debt issuance and interest costs, net of tax, were added back to net earnings.

[3]

Diluted earnings per share was calculated as follows: Earnings before interest and debt issuance costs on convertible notes Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2011

Apr. 30, 2010

Jun. 30, 2009

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2011

Mar. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

31-May-13

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2011

Vehicle

WL Ross & Co., LLC (WL Ross)

WL Ross & Co., LLC (WL Ross)

WL Ross & Co., LLC (WL Ross)

WL Ross & Co., LLC (WL Ross)

WL Ross & Co., LLC (WL Ross)

Three Trusts

Three Trusts

Three Trusts

Entity that owns a portfolio of railcar assets

Entity that owns a portfolio of railcar assets

Schnitzer

Schnitzer

Schnitzer

Vehicle

Vehicle

Related Party Transaction [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Secured term loan

'

'

'

'

'

$75,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issuance of warrants to purchase Shares of Common Stock

'

'

'

'

'

3,401,095

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercise price of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

$5.96

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of participation

'

'

'

'

'

3.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common Stock under the warrant agreement in which rights were transferred to purchase shares

'

'

'

'

'

101,337

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding warrants to purchase shares of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of railcars owned

'

8,600

'

'

4,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Value of railcars

'

99,600,000

'

'

256,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Contract placement fee

'

'

'

'

6,100,000

'

900,000

900,000

800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Carrying value of investment

'

10,739,000

8,301,000

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of railcars leased

'

'

'

'

'

'

400

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lease expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,200,000

3,100,000

2,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ownership interest in VIE

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

'

8.00%

'

'

'

'

Sale of railcars

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

38,500,000

61,100,000

'

23,200,000

'

'

'

Sale of scrap metal

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,000,000

9,200,000

7,300,000

Related party expenses for aircraft usage

'

$200,000

$200,000

$10,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Components_of_Income_Tax_Expen

Components of Income Tax Expense of Continuing Operations (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Current	'	'	'
Federal	$20,162	$10,750	($683)
State	2,491	2,783	620
Foreign	11,465	8,548	333
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total	34,118	22,081	270
Deferred	'	'	'
Federal	-6,597	19,426	2,956
State	-2,357	-3,399	351
Foreign	-134	-6	239
Total Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total	-9,088	16,021	3,546
Change in valuation allowance	30	-5,710	-252
Income tax (expense) benefit	$25,060	$32,392	$3,564

Reconciliation_Between_Effecti

Reconciliation Between Effective and Statutory Tax Rates on Continuing Operations (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Federal statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	-1.20%	-1.90%	4.10%
Impact of foreign operations	-19.10%	-2.10%	-2.10%
Change in valuation allowance related to deferred tax asset	1.30%	-6.10%	-1.70%
Change in income tax reserve for uncertain tax positions	-7.10%	-0.10%	-0.80%
Reversal of net deferred tax assets related to foreign restructuring	'	1.90%	'
Noncontrolling interest in flow through entity	-1.20%	-0.40%	-5.10%
Permanent differences	4.50%	5.40%	-7.10%
Goodwill impairment	119.00%	'	'
Other	-2.60%	2.80%	1.60%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent, Total	128.60%	34.50%	23.90%

Tax_Effects_of_Temporary_Diffe

Tax Effects of Temporary Differences that give rise to Significant Portions of Deferred Tax Assets and Deferred Tax Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:	'	'
Contract placement	$2,051	$2,145
Maintenance and warranty accruals	7,963	7,127
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	8,616	13,193
Deferred revenue	4,072	3,702
Inventories and other	8,708	8,449
Derivative instruments and translation adjustment	478	1,132
Investment and asset tax credits	1,324	337
Net operating loss	2,168	8,409
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross, Total	35,380	44,494
Deferred tax liabilities:	'	'
Fixed assets	107,725	111,915
Original issue discount	2,962	12,064
Intangibles	4,792	9,977
Deferred gain on redemption of debt	4,430	4,430
Other	31	36
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross, Total	119,940	138,422
Valuation allowance	1,480	1,435
Net deferred tax liability	$86,040	$95,363

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'
Excess tax benefits from vesting of restricted stock awards	$300,000	'
Reduction in taxes payable due to NOL carryforwards excess tax benefits	1,700,000	'
Increase in stockholders' equity resulting from tax benefit from share-based compensation	600,000	'
Net increase (Decrease) in the valuation allowance	45,000	'
Cumulative undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries	31,800,000	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	1,100,000	2,700,000
Unrecognized tax benefits if recognized would affect effective tax rate	700,000	'
Accrued interest related to uncertain tax provisions	200,000	1,000,000
Interest benefit relating to reserves for uncertain tax provisions	800,000	'
Interest expense relating to reserves for uncertain tax provisions	'	100,000
State	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'
Operating loss carryforwards	22,400,000	'
Operating loss carryforwards expiration dates	'2015	'
Credit carryforwards	1,300,000	'
Credit carryforwards expiration Year	'2017	'
Foreign	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'
Operating loss carryforwards	$6,600,000	'
Operating loss carryforwards expiration dates	'2014	'

Unrecognized_Tax_Benefits_Deta

Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefit - Opening Balance	$3,720	$3,053	$3,526
Gross increases - tax positions in prior period	511	878	'
Gross decreases - tax positions in prior period	-2,942	-211	-233
Settlements	'	'	-193
Lapse of statute of limitations	'	'	-47
Unrecognized Tax Benefit - Ending Balance	$1,289	$3,720	$3,053

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
	Segment
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Number of reportable segments	3

Segments_Internal_Financial_Re

Segments Internal Financial Reports (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Aug. 31, 2013

31-May-13

Feb. 28, 2013

Nov. 30, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

31-May-12

Feb. 28, 2012

Nov. 30, 2011

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2011

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

$484,215

$433,663

$423,166

$415,374

$443,534

$507,797

$458,186

$398,199

$1,756,418

[1]

$1,807,716

[1]

$1,243,290

[1]

Margin

60,300

50,019

48,275

47,779

54,539

61,938

51,486

46,457

206,373

214,420

139,531

Assets

1,289,741

'

'

'

1,384,544

'

'

'

1,289,741

1,384,544

1,301,655

Depreciation and amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

41,447

42,371

38,293

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

60,827

117,885

84,302

Manufacturing

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,200,613

1,370,900

770,596

Margin

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

132,845

131,580

59,975

Assets

401,630

'

'

'

402,976

'

'

'

401,630

402,976

423,295

Depreciation and amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13,469

11,754

9,853

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

37,017

33,313

20,016

Wheels, Repair & Parts

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

484,180

498,336

492,355

Margin

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

37,721

48,324

47,416

Assets

318,483

'

'

'

413,013

'

'

'

318,483

413,013

400,643

Depreciation and amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12,843

13,265

11,853

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,492

11,248

20,087

Leasing & Services

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

90,203

90,538

70,498

Margin

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

35,807

34,516

32,140

Assets

463,381

'

'

'

508,539

'

'

'

463,381

508,539

424,839

Depreciation and amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,135

17,352

16,587

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

16,318

73,324

44,199

Intersegment Elimination

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-18,578

-152,058

-90,159

Unallocated Amount to Segment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets

$106,247

'

'

'

$60,016

'

'

'

$106,247

$60,016

$52,878

[1]

Revenue is presented on the basis of geographic location of customers.

Summary_of_Geographic_Informat

Summary of Geographic Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Aug. 31, 2013

31-May-13

Feb. 28, 2013

Nov. 30, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

31-May-12

Feb. 28, 2012

Nov. 30, 2011

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2011

Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

$484,215

$433,663

$423,166

$415,374

$443,534

$507,797

$458,186

$398,199

$1,756,418

[1]

$1,807,716

[1]

$1,243,290

[1]

Assets

1,289,741

'

'

'

1,384,544

'

'

'

1,289,741

1,384,544

1,301,655

UNITED STATES

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,544,775

[1]

1,642,348

[1]

1,103,423

[1]

Assets

865,294

'

'

'

982,078

'

'

'

865,294

982,078

1,000,249

Foreign

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

211,643

[1]

165,368

[1]

139,867

[1]

CANADA

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets

756

'

'

'

718

'

'

'

756

718

'

Mexico

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets

348,144

'

'

'

323,318

'

'

'

348,144

323,318

228,406

Europe

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets

$75,547

'

'

'

$78,430

'

'

'

$75,547

$78,430

$73,000

[1]

Revenue is presented on the basis of geographic location of customers.

Reconciliation_of_Segment_Marg

Reconciliation of Segment Margin to Earnings Before Income Tax and Earnings (Loss) from Unconsolidated Affiliates (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	31-May-12	Feb. 28, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment margin	$60,300	$50,019	$48,275	$47,779	$54,539	$61,938	$51,486	$46,457	$206,373	$214,420	$139,531
Selling and administrative	26,811	25,322	24,942	26,100	27,598	28,784	24,979	23,235	103,175	104,596	80,326
Gain on disposition of equipment	-8,457	-5,131	-3,076	-1,408	-67	-2,585	-2,654	-3,658	-18,072	-8,964	-8,369
Special items	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	76,900	'	'
Restructuring charges	2,719	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,719	'	'
Interest and foreign exchange	4,031	5,905	6,322	5,900	6,236	6,560	6,630	5,383	22,158	24,809	36,992
Loss on extinguishment of debt	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	15,657
Earnings (loss) before income tax and earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates	$35,196	($52,977)	$20,087	$17,187	$20,772	$29,179	$22,531	$21,497	$19,493	$93,979	$14,925

Customer_Concentration_Additio

Customer Concentration - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Customer Concentration Risk	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of accounts receivable balance	'	13.00%	'
Customer One Concentration Risk | Sales	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of total revenues	17.00%	26.00%	19.00%
Customer Two Concentration Risk | Sales	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of total revenues	10.00%	16.00%	14.00%
Customer Three Concentration Risk | Sales	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of total revenues	'	11.00%	12.00%
Customer Four Concentration Risk | Sales	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of total revenues	'	'	11.00%
Two Customers | Customer Concentration Risk	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Customers accounted for more than 10% of total revenues	0	0	0
Customers that individually equaled or exceeded 10% of accounts receivable balance	1	'	'
Only one customer | Customer Concentration Risk	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Customers that individually equaled or exceeded 10% of accounts receivable balance	'	1	'
Percentage of accounts receivable balance	18.00%	'	'

Lease_Commitments_Additional_I

Lease Commitments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Railcar Equipment	'	'	'
Leases Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Lease expense	$6.70	$6	$6.50
Domestic railcar repair facilities, office space and certain manufacturing and office equipment	'	'	'
Leases Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Lease expense	$13.10	$14.10	$12.20

Aggregate_Minimum_Future_Amoun1

Aggregate Minimum Future Amounts Payable Under Non-Cancelable Railcar Equipment Leases (Detail) (Railcar Equipment, USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Railcar Equipment	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'
2014	$5,720
2015	4,867
2016	940
2017	517
2018	'
Thereafter	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	$12,044

Aggregate_Minimum_Future_Amoun2

Aggregate Minimum Future Amounts Payable Under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases (Detail) (Domestic railcar repair facilities, office space and certain manufacturing and office equipment, USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Domestic railcar repair facilities, office space and certain manufacturing and office equipment	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'
2014	$6,710
2015	3,435
2016	2,393
2017	2,184
2018	1,620
Thereafter	3,666
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	$20,008

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Remedial investigation and feasibility study	$100
Remedial investigation and feasibility study, period	'13 years
Bank and third party warranty guarantee facilities	2.2
Outstanding letters of credit	6.8
Mexican Joint Venture Credit Facility	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Debt outstanding	50.4
Guarantee obligations	40.2
Contribution to Capital expenditure for fourth manufacturing line commitment	10
Percentage of commitment Contribution by company towards fourth Manufacturing line	50.00%
Amount contributed by company and the joint venture partner for capital expenditure of fourth manufacturing line	4.6
Minimum	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Period for remedial action	'2 years
Maximum	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Period for remedial action	'28 years
Additional Investigation Year	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Remedial investigation and feasibility study, period	'1 year
Portland Harbor Site | Minimum	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Cleanup expenses	169
Portland Harbor Site | Maximum	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Cleanup expenses	1,800
Area Of Willamette River Adjacent to the Company's Portland, Oregon Manufacturing Facility | Minimum	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Cleanup expenses	9
Area Of Willamette River Adjacent to the Company's Portland, Oregon Manufacturing Facility | Maximum	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Cleanup expenses	$163

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Detail) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'
Notes payable	$373,889	$428,079
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure	'	'
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'
Notes payable	373,889	428,079
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure	'	'
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'
Notes payable	$324,631	$364,062

Assets_and_Liabilities_Measure

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'		'
Nonqualified savings plan investments	$7,687		$6,667
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring	'		'
Assets:	'		'
Derivative financial instruments	1,042		2,844
Nonqualified savings plan investments	7,687		6,667
Cash equivalents	1,004		1,002
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Total	9,733		10,513
Liabilities:	'		'
Derivative financial instruments	1,632		3,145
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring	'		'
Assets:	'		'
Nonqualified savings plan investments	7,687		6,667
Cash equivalents	1,004		1,002
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Total	8,691		7,669
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring	'		'
Assets:	'		'
Derivative financial instruments	1,042	[1]	2,844	[1]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Total	1,042	[1]	2,844	[1]
Liabilities:	'		'
Derivative financial instruments	1,632	[1]	3,145	[1]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring	'		'
Assets:	'		'
Derivative financial instruments	'		'
Nonqualified savings plan investments	'		'
Cash equivalents	'		'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Total	'		'
Liabilities:	'		'
Derivative financial instruments	'		'
[1]	Level 2 assets include derivative financial instruments which are valued based on significant observable inputs. See Note 15 Derivative Instruments for further discussion.

Assets_or_Liabilities_Measured

Assets or Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Nonrecurring Basis (Detail) (Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring, USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'	'
Goodwill	$57,416	$137,066
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Goodwill	$57,416	$137,066

Variable_Interest_Entities_Add

Variable Interest Entities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	31-May-13	Aug. 31, 2013
			Vehicle
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'	'
Ownership interest in VIE	1.00%	'	'
Third party Ownership interest	99.00%	'	'
Number of railcars sold	'	'	1,163
Value of railcars	'	'	$99.60
Target rate of return	'	'	6.9
Description of deferred revenue	'	'	'This $6.9 million, which is held in restricted cash, was recorded as a reduction in revenue on the sale of 1,020 new railcars and a reduction in gain on sale on the sale of the 143 used railcars with a credit to deferred revenue.
Agreement expiration time	'	'	'2033-03
Eliminated revenues and margins	'	8.00%	'
Intangible and Other Assets	'	'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'	'
Carrying amounts	'	'	1
Transaction 05	'	'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'	'
Ownership interest in VIE	'	8.00%	'
Third party Ownership interest	'	92.00%	'
Number of railcars sold	'	'	264
Value of railcars	'	'	23.2
Agreement expiration time	'	'2033-05	'
Transaction 05 | Intangible and Other Assets	'	'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'	'
Carrying amounts	'	'	$1.90

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_A2

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2013

31-May-13

Feb. 28, 2013

Nov. 30, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

31-May-12

Feb. 28, 2012

Nov. 30, 2011

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2011

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2011

Apr. 30, 2010

Aug. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2003

Vehicle

Vehicle

WLR-GBX

WLR-GBX

WLR-GBX

Ohio Castings LLC

Ohio Castings LLC

Vehicle

Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of railcars owned

8,600

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,600

'

'

'

'

4,000

'

'

Value of railcars

$99,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$99,600,000

'

'

'

'

$256,000,000

'

'

Contract placement fee

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,100,000

'

'

Share of losses

249,000

82,000

-105,000

-40,000

-317,000

201,000

72,000

-372,000

186,000

-416,000

-2,974,000

-2,100,000

-2,500,000

'

'

'

Carrying value of investment

10,739,000

'

'

'

8,301,000

'

'

'

10,739,000

8,301,000

'

0

'

'

'

'

Minority ownership interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

33.00%

Intangibles and other assets

$78,971,000

'

'

'

$81,368,000

'

'

'

$78,971,000

$81,368,000

'

'

'

'

$7,900,000

'

Summarized_Financial_Data_for_

Summarized Financial Data for WLR-GBX (Detail) (WLR-GBX, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
WLR-GBX	'	'	'
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]	'	'	'
Current assets	$7,508	$8,003	'
Total assets	230,626	240,372	'
Current liabilities	7,335	6,671	'
Equity	-4,209	-3,537	'
Revenue	20,230	19,403	17,943
Net income (loss)	($598)	($6,235)	($5,997)

Summarized_Financial_Data_for_1

Summarized Financial Data for Castings Joint Venture (Detail) (Ohio Castings LLC, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Ohio Castings LLC	'	'	'
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]	'	'	'
Current assets	$15,084	$16,758	'
Total assets	23,649	26,323	'
Current liabilities	4,522	7,625	'
Equity	19,127	18,698	'
Revenue	55,307	82,698	5,813
Net income (loss)	$665	$5,823	($5,648)

GuarantorNon_Guarantor_Additio

Guarantor/Non Guarantor - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]	'
Percentage of ownership in subsidiaries	100.00%

Condensed_Consolidating_Balanc

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$97,435	$53,571	$50,222	$98,864
Restricted cash	8,807	6,277	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	154,848	146,326	'	'
Inventories	316,783	316,741	'	'
Leased railcars for syndication	68,480	97,798	'	'
Equipment on operating leases, net	305,468	362,968	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	201,533	182,429	'	'
Goodwill	57,416	137,066	'	'
Intangibles and other assets, net	78,971	81,368	'	'
Total assets	1,289,741	1,384,544	1,301,655	'
Liabilities and Equity	'	'	'	'
Revolving notes	48,209	60,755	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	315,938	329,508	'	'
Deferred income taxes	86,040	95,363	'	'
Deferred revenue	8,838	17,194	'	'
Notes payable	373,889	428,079	'	'
Total equity Greenbrier	428,202	431,777	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	28,625	21,868	'	'
Total equity	456,827	453,645	375,901	297,407
Liabilities and Equity	1,289,741	1,384,544	'	'
Parent	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	63,173	34,323	33,368	91,472
Accounts receivable, net	37,623	53,326	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,112	3,721	'	'
Intangibles and other assets, net	716,029	688,261	'	'
Total assets	818,937	779,631	'	'
Liabilities and Equity	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	137,631	43,178	'	'
Deferred income taxes	8,093	9,097	'	'
Deferred revenue	155	310	'	'
Notes payable	244,856	295,269	'	'
Total equity Greenbrier	428,202	431,777	'	'
Total equity	428,202	431,777	'	'
Liabilities and Equity	818,937	779,631	'	'
Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	25	294	529	859
Restricted cash	1,907	2,047	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	217,268	122,917	'	'
Inventories	151,023	138,236	'	'
Leased railcars for syndication	68,827	100,590	'	'
Equipment on operating leases, net	304,234	365,925	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	103,315	106,219	'	'
Goodwill	57,416	137,066	'	'
Intangibles and other assets, net	118,541	91,278	'	'
Total assets	1,022,556	1,064,572	'	'
Liabilities and Equity	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	178,662	205,477	'	'
Deferred income taxes	86,610	96,593	'	'
Deferred revenue	8,546	15,970	'	'
Notes payable	126,863	130,953	'	'
Total equity Greenbrier	621,875	615,579	'	'
Total equity	621,875	615,579	'	'
Liabilities and Equity	1,022,556	1,064,572	'	'
Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	34,237	18,954	16,325	6,533
Restricted cash	6,900	4,230	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	54,412	45,467	'	'
Inventories	165,855	178,810	'	'
Equipment on operating leases, net	3,809	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	96,106	72,489	'	'
Intangibles and other assets, net	13,515	11,304	'	'
Total assets	374,834	331,254	'	'
Liabilities and Equity	'	'	'	'
Revolving notes	48,209	60,755	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	154,096	155,844	'	'
Deferred revenue	98	901	'	'
Notes payable	2,170	1,857	'	'
Total equity Greenbrier	141,945	90,761	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	28,316	21,136	'	'
Total equity	170,261	111,897	'	'
Liabilities and Equity	374,834	331,254	'	'
Eliminations	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	-154,455	-75,384	'	'
Inventories	-95	-305	'	'
Leased railcars for syndication	-347	-2,792	'	'
Equipment on operating leases, net	-2,575	-2,957	'	'
Intangibles and other assets, net	-769,114	-709,475	'	'
Total assets	-926,586	-790,913	'	'
Liabilities and Equity	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-154,451	-74,991	'	'
Deferred income taxes	-8,663	-10,327	'	'
Deferred revenue	39	13	'	'
Total equity Greenbrier	-763,820	-706,340	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	309	732	'	'
Total equity	-763,511	-705,608	'	'
Liabilities and Equity	($926,586)	($790,913)	'	'

Condensed_Consolidating_Statem

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Aug. 31, 2013

31-May-13

Feb. 28, 2013

Nov. 30, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

31-May-12

Feb. 28, 2012

Nov. 30, 2011

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2011

Revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Manufacturing

$351,728

$284,591

$294,047

$285,368

$306,172

$364,930

$320,206

$262,656

$1,215,734

$1,253,964

$721,102

Wheel Services, Refurbishment & Parts

114,003

131,167

111,952

112,100

119,077

125,145

119,894

117,749

469,222

481,865

452,865

Leasing & Services

18,484

17,905

17,167

17,906

18,285

17,722

18,086

17,794

71,462

71,887

69,323

Revenues

484,215

433,663

423,166

415,374

443,534

507,797

458,186

398,199

1,756,418

[1]

1,807,716

[1]

1,243,290

[1]

Cost of revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Manufacturing

308,387

253,360

262,650

258,492

269,921

325,424

290,851

236,188

1,082,889

1,122,384

661,127

Wheels Services, Refurbishment & Parts

106,415

120,476

103,134

101,476

109,486

111,610

106,554

105,891

431,501

433,541

405,449

Leasing & Services

9,113

9,808

9,107

7,627

9,588

8,825

9,295

9,663

35,655

37,371

37,183

Cost of revenue

423,915

383,644

374,891

367,595

388,995

445,859

406,700

351,742

1,550,045

1,593,296

1,103,759

Margin

60,300

50,019

48,275

47,779

54,539

61,938

51,486

46,457

206,373

214,420

139,531

Selling and administrative

26,811

25,322

24,942

26,100

27,598

28,784

24,979

23,235

103,175

104,596

80,326

Net gain on disposition of equipment

-8,457

-5,131

-3,076

-1,408

-67

-2,585

-2,654

-3,658

-18,072

-8,964

-8,369

Goodwill impairment

'

76,900

'

'

'

'

'

'

76,900

[2]

'

'

Restructuring charges

2,719

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,719

'

'

Earnings (loss) from operations

39,227

-47,072

26,409

23,087

27,008

35,739

29,161

26,880

41,651

118,788

67,574

Other costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest and foreign exchange

4,031

5,905

6,322

5,900

6,236

6,560

6,630

5,383

22,158

24,809

36,992

Loss on extinguishment of debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,657

Earnings (loss) before income taxes and earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates

35,196

-52,977

20,087

17,187

20,772

29,179

22,531

21,497

19,493

93,979

14,925

Income tax (expense) benefit

-12,155

-2,729

-5,590

-4,586

-10,593

-8,655

-5,348

-7,797

-25,060

-32,393

-3,564

Earnings (loss) before earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-5,567

61,586

11,361

Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates

249

82

-105

-40

-317

201

72

-372

186

-416

-2,974

Net earnings (loss)

23,290

-55,624

14,392

12,561

9,862

20,725

17,255

13,328

-5,381

61,170

8,387

Net (earnings) loss attributable to Noncontrolling interest

-2,574

-406

-553

-2,134

-2,458

-1,608

415

1,189

-5,667

-2,462

-1,921

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier

20,716

-56,030

13,839

10,427

7,404

19,117

17,670

14,517

-11,048

58,708

6,466

Parent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Manufacturing

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,429

Leasing & Services

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

806

1,102

1,833

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

806

1,102

3,262

Cost of revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Margin

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

806

1,102

3,262

Selling and administrative

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

38,636

42,486

37,450

Earnings (loss) from operations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-37,830

-41,384

-34,188

Other costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest and foreign exchange

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,358

18,839

32,002

Loss on extinguishment of debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,657

Earnings (loss) before income taxes and earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-53,188

-60,223

-81,847

Income tax (expense) benefit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21,367

21,560

30,940

Earnings (loss) before earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-31,821

-38,663

-50,907

Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20,773

97,371

57,373

Net earnings (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-11,048

58,708

6,466

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-11,048

58,708

6,466

Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Manufacturing

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

666,171

809,629

413,608

Wheel Services, Refurbishment & Parts

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

480,849

494,359

467,544

Leasing & Services

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

70,672

71,382

68,646

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,217,692

1,375,370

949,798

Cost of revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Manufacturing

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

610,379

730,850

394,638

Wheels Services, Refurbishment & Parts

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

443,337

446,034

419,824

Leasing & Services

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

35,754

37,450

37,253

Cost of revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,089,470

1,214,334

851,715

Margin

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

128,222

161,036

98,083

Selling and administrative

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30,937

29,383

22,256

Net gain on disposition of equipment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-16,238

-8,963

-8,227

Goodwill impairment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

76,900

'

'

Restructuring charges

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,719

'

'

Earnings (loss) from operations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

33,904

140,616

84,054

Other costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest and foreign exchange

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,901

3,754

4,022

Earnings (loss) before income taxes and earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30,003

136,862

80,032

Income tax (expense) benefit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-36,202

-51,655

-32,953

Earnings (loss) before earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-6,199

85,207

47,079

Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11,532

-537

4,196

Net earnings (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,333

84,670

51,275

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,333

84,670

51,275

Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Manufacturing

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,001,017

1,057,996

532,444

Leasing & Services

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,001,018

1,057,996

532,444

Cost of revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Manufacturing

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

928,461

996,591

492,855

Cost of revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

928,461

996,591

492,855

Margin

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

72,557

61,405

39,589

Selling and administrative

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

33,602

32,727

20,620

Net gain on disposition of equipment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,276

'

'

Earnings (loss) from operations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40,231

28,678

18,969

Other costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest and foreign exchange

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,100

3,336

2,134

Earnings (loss) before income taxes and earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

37,131

25,342

16,835

Income tax (expense) benefit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-9,067

-4,362

-1,642

Earnings (loss) before earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

28,064

20,980

15,193

Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

45

-1

'

Net earnings (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

28,109

20,979

15,193

Net (earnings) loss attributable to Noncontrolling interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-3,946

-5,574

-1,923

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

24,163

15,405

13,270

Eliminations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Manufacturing

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-451,454

-613,661

-226,379

Wheel Services, Refurbishment & Parts

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-11,627

-12,494

-14,679

Leasing & Services

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-17

-597

-1,156

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-463,098

-626,752

-242,214

Cost of revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Manufacturing

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-455,951

-605,057

-226,366

Wheels Services, Refurbishment & Parts

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-11,836

-12,493

-14,375

Leasing & Services

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-99

-79

-70

Cost of revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-467,886

-617,629

-240,811

Margin

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,788

-9,123

-1,403

Net gain on disposition of equipment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-558

-1

-142

Earnings (loss) from operations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,346

-9,122

-1,261

Other costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest and foreign exchange

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-201

-1,120

-1,166

Earnings (loss) before income taxes and earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,547

-8,002

-95

Income tax (expense) benefit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,158

2,064

91

Earnings (loss) before earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,389

-5,938

-4

Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-32,164

-97,249

-64,543

Net earnings (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-27,775

-103,187

-64,547

Net (earnings) loss attributable to Noncontrolling interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,721

3,112

2

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($29,496)

($100,075)

($64,545)

[1]

Revenue is presented on the basis of geographic location of customers.

[2]

Goodwill impairment relates to the non-cash goodwill impairment charge recognized as part of the Company's annual goodwill impairment analysis as further discussed below.

Consolidating_Statement_of_Com

Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Aug. 31, 2013

31-May-13

Feb. 28, 2013

Nov. 30, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

31-May-12

Feb. 28, 2012

Nov. 30, 2011

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2011

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net earnings (loss)

$23,290

($55,624)

$14,392

$12,561

$9,862

$20,725

$17,255

$13,328

($5,381)

$61,170

$8,387

Other comprehensive income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Translation adjustment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,056

-4,168

2,205

Reclassification of derivative financial instruments recognized in net earnings (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-561

[1]

4,988

[1]

-1,029

[1]

Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-399

[2]

708

[2]

-1,861

[2]

Other (net of tax effect)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-203

-130

-6

Other comprehensive income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-107

1,398

-691

Comprehensive income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-5,488

62,568

7,696

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-5,695

-2,334

-1,921

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Greenbrier

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-11,183

60,234

5,775

Parent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net earnings (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-11,048

58,708

6,466

Other comprehensive income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Translation adjustment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11

'

Other comprehensive income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11

'

Comprehensive income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-11,048

58,719

6,466

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Greenbrier

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-11,048

58,719

6,466

Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net earnings (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,333

84,670

51,275

Other comprehensive income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Translation adjustment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-34

-367

390

Reclassification of derivative financial instruments recognized in net earnings (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,197

1,025

-1,100

Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-202

-122

1,560

Other comprehensive income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

961

536

850

Comprehensive income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,294

85,206

52,125

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Greenbrier

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,294

85,206

52,125

Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net earnings (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

28,109

20,979

15,193

Other comprehensive income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Translation adjustment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,090

-3,812

1,815

Reclassification of derivative financial instruments recognized in net earnings (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,758

3,963

71

Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-197

830

-3,421

Other (net of tax effect)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-203

-130

-6

Other comprehensive income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,068

851

-1,541

Comprehensive income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

27,041

21,830

13,652

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-3,974

-5,446

-1,923

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Greenbrier

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

23,067

16,384

11,729

Eliminations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net earnings (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-27,775

-103,187

-64,547

Other comprehensive income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Comprehensive income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-27,775

-103,187

-64,547

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,721

3,112

2

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Greenbrier

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($29,496)

($100,075)

($64,545)

[1]

Net of tax of effect of $0.3 million, $1.3 million and $0.7 million for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

[2]

Net of tax of effect of $0.2 million, $0.3 million and $1.0 million for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

Condensed_Consolidating_Statem1

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:	'		'	'
Net earnings (loss)	($5,381)		$61,170	$8,387
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'		'	'
Deferred income taxes	-9,662		11,617	2,399
Depreciation and amortization	41,447		42,371	38,293
Gain on sales of leased equipment	-18,072		-8,964	-5,121
Accretion of debt discount	2,455		3,259	6,583
Stock based compensation expense	6,302		8,757	7,073
Loss on extinguishment of debt (non-cash portion)	'		'	8,453
Goodwill impairment	76,900	[1]	'	'
Other	-1,055		4,905	-311
Decrease (increase) in assets:	'		'	'
Accounts receivable	-7,323		37,763	-96,552
Inventories	19,045		3,709	-116,866
Leased railcars for syndication	22,881		-76,071	-20,839
Other	969		'	8,863
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:	'		'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-15,429		16,236	130,673
Deferred revenue	-8,485		11,304	-5,287
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	104,592		116,056	-34,252
Cash flows from investing activities:	'		'	'
Proceeds from sales of assets	75,338		33,560	18,730
Capital expenditures	-60,827		-117,885	-84,302
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	-2,530		-4,164	412
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	-2,240		-506	-2,330
Other	-3,582		48	-1,774
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	6,159		-88,947	-69,264
Cash flows from financing activities:	'		'	'
Net changes in revolving notes with maturities of 90 days or less	-16,396		-57,302	71,625
Proceeds from revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days	38,177		63,773	25,159
Repayment of revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days	-34,966		-33,934	-10,000
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable	2,186		2,750	231,250
Debt issuance costs	'		'	-11,469
Repayments of notes payable	-58,831		-7,070	-311,360
Proceeds from equity offering	'		'	63,180
Excess tax benefit from restricted stock awards	900		1,627	'
Expenses from equity offering	'		'	-420
Investment by joint venture partner	3,206		1,362	'
Other	-8		'	26
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-65,732		-28,794	57,991
Effect of exchange rate changes	-1,155		5,034	-3,117
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	43,864		3,349	-48,642
Beginning of period	53,571		50,222	98,864
End of period	97,435		53,571	50,222
Parent	'		'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'		'	'
Net earnings (loss)	-11,048		58,708	6,466
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'		'	'
Deferred income taxes	-1,005		23,749	-15,380
Depreciation and amortization	2,124		2,596	2,701
Accretion of debt discount	2,455		3,259	6,583
Stock based compensation expense	6,196		8,757	7,073
Loss on extinguishment of debt (non-cash portion)	'		'	8,453
Decrease (increase) in assets:	'		'	'
Accounts receivable	15,704		13,197	3,033
Other	272		1,847	4,265
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:	'		'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-626		-43,798	394
Deferred revenue	-154		-155	-155
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	13,918		68,160	23,433
Cash flows from investing activities:	'		'	'
Capital expenditures	-515		-709	-1,996
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	-28,175		-103,703	-57,373
Intercompany advances	'		19,092	-1,334
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-28,690		-85,320	-60,703
Cash flows from financing activities:	'		'	'
Net changes in revolving notes with maturities of 90 days or less	'		-60,000	60,000
Intercompany advances	95,598		76,476	-55,401
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable	'		'	230,000
Debt issuance costs	'		'	-11,469
Repayments of notes payable	-52,868		'	-306,750
Proceeds from equity offering	'		'	63,180
Excess tax benefit from restricted stock awards	900		1,627	'
Expenses from equity offering	'		'	-420
Other	-8		'	26
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	43,622		18,103	-20,834
Effect of exchange rate changes	'		12	'
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	28,850		955	-58,104
Beginning of period	34,323		33,368	91,472
End of period	63,173		34,323	33,368
Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries	'		'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'		'	'
Net earnings (loss)	5,333		84,670	51,275
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'		'	'
Deferred income taxes	-9,983		-7,548	16,560
Depreciation and amortization	29,688		31,618	29,413
Gain on sales of leased equipment	-16,238		-8,963	-4,979
Stock based compensation expense	106		'	'
Goodwill impairment	76,900		'	'
Other	1,160		1,024	151
Decrease (increase) in assets:	'		'	'
Accounts receivable	-360		44,373	-97,572
Inventories	4,975		3,395	-3,503
Leased railcars for syndication	25,325		-78,863	-21,857
Other	416		-393	3,181
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:	'		'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-27,742		55,609	36,161
Deferred revenue	-7,505		10,711	-4,154
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	82,075		135,633	4,676
Cash flows from investing activities:	'		'	'
Proceeds from sales of assets	74,545		33,560	18,730
Capital expenditures	-28,586		-89,531	-65,140
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	139		66	412
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	-31,325		230	-8,420
Other	'		48	61
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	14,773		-55,627	-54,357
Cash flows from financing activities:	'		'	'
Intercompany advances	-93,991		-76,936	52,806
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable	'		250	'
Repayments of notes payable	-4,090		-4,166	-4,206
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-98,081		-80,852	48,600
Effect of exchange rate changes	964		611	751
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-269		-235	-330
Beginning of period	294		529	859
End of period	25		294	529
Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	'		'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'		'	'
Net earnings (loss)	28,109		20,979	15,193
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'		'	'
Deferred income taxes	-611		-2,520	1,311
Depreciation and amortization	9,734		8,236	6,250
Gain on sales of leased equipment	-1,276		'	'
Other	-70		37	-465
Decrease (increase) in assets:	'		'	'
Accounts receivable	-6,140		-20,223	-1,992
Inventories	14,280		313	-113,667
Leased railcars for syndication	'		'	1,018
Other	28,400		4,878	338
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:	'		'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-3,200		4,448	94,096
Deferred revenue	-836		735	-978
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	68,390		16,883	1,104
Cash flows from investing activities:	'		'	'
Proceeds from sales of assets	793		'	'
Capital expenditures	-32,017		-28,684	-17,168
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	-2,669		-4,230	'
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	-2,240		-614	'
Other	-3,582		'	-1,835
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-39,715		-33,528	-19,003
Cash flows from financing activities:	'		'	'
Net changes in revolving notes with maturities of 90 days or less	-16,396		2,698	11,625
Proceeds from revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days	38,177		63,773	25,159
Repayment of revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days	-34,966		-33,934	-10,000
Intercompany advances	-1,607		-18,632	3,929
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable	2,186		2,500	1,250
Repayments of notes payable	-1,873		-2,904	-404
Investment by joint venture partner	3,206		1,362	'
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-11,273		14,863	31,559
Effect of exchange rate changes	-2,119		4,411	-3,868
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	15,283		2,629	9,792
Beginning of period	18,954		16,325	6,533
End of period	34,237		18,954	16,325
Eliminations	'		'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'		'	'
Net earnings (loss)	-27,775		-103,187	-64,547
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'		'	'
Deferred income taxes	1,937		-2,064	-92
Depreciation and amortization	-99		-79	-71
Gain on sales of leased equipment	-558		-1	-142
Other	-2,145		3,844	3
Decrease (increase) in assets:	'		'	'
Accounts receivable	-16,527		416	-21
Inventories	-210		1	304
Leased railcars for syndication	-2,444		2,792	'
Other	-28,119		-6,332	1,079
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:	'		'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	16,139		-23	22
Deferred revenue	10		13	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-59,791		-104,620	-63,465
Cash flows from investing activities:	'		'	'
Capital expenditures	291		1,039	2
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	59,500		103,581	63,463
Intercompany advances	'		-19,092	1,334
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	59,791		85,528	64,799
Cash flows from financing activities:	'		'	'
Intercompany advances	'		19,092	-1,334
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	'		$19,092	($1,334)
[1]	Goodwill impairment relates to the non-cash goodwill impairment charge recognized as part of the Company's annual goodwill impairment analysis as further discussed below.

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Oct. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013
	Mexico	Washington	Maximum
	Facility	Subsequent Event
		Employee
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'
Common stock repurchase authorized amount	'	'	$50
Number of manufacturing facilities operated	2	'	'
Number of manufacturing facilities owned	1	'	'
Number of manufacturing facilities leased	1	'	'
Expiration of lease term	'2014-11	'	'
Number of employees represented by union	'	65	'

Quarterly_Results_of_Operation2

Quarterly Results of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013		31-May-13		Feb. 28, 2013		Nov. 30, 2012		Aug. 31, 2012		31-May-12		Feb. 28, 2012		Nov. 30, 2011		Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 31, 2012		Aug. 31, 2011
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'
Manufacturing	$351,728		$284,591		$294,047		$285,368		$306,172		$364,930		$320,206		$262,656		$1,215,734		$1,253,964		$721,102
Wheels, Repair & Parts	114,003		131,167		111,952		112,100		119,077		125,145		119,894		117,749		469,222		481,865		452,865
Leasing & Services	18,484		17,905		17,167		17,906		18,285		17,722		18,086		17,794		71,462		71,887		69,323
Revenues	484,215		433,663		423,166		415,374		443,534		507,797		458,186		398,199		1,756,418	[1]	1,807,716	[1]	1,243,290	[1]
Cost of revenue	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'
Manufacturing	308,387		253,360		262,650		258,492		269,921		325,424		290,851		236,188		1,082,889		1,122,384		661,127
Wheels, Repair & Parts	106,415		120,476		103,134		101,476		109,486		111,610		106,554		105,891		431,501		433,541		405,449
Leasing & Services	9,113		9,808		9,107		7,627		9,588		8,825		9,295		9,663		35,655		37,371		37,183
Cost of revenue	423,915		383,644		374,891		367,595		388,995		445,859		406,700		351,742		1,550,045		1,593,296		1,103,759
Margin	60,300		50,019		48,275		47,779		54,539		61,938		51,486		46,457		206,373		214,420		139,531
Selling and administrative	26,811		25,322		24,942		26,100		27,598		28,784		24,979		23,235		103,175		104,596		80,326
Net gain on disposition of equipment	-8,457		-5,131		-3,076		-1,408		-67		-2,585		-2,654		-3,658		-18,072		-8,964		-8,369
Goodwill impairment	'		76,900		'		'		'		'		'		'		76,900	[2]	'		'
Restructuring charges	2,719		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		2,719		'		'
Earnings (loss) from operations	39,227		-47,072		26,409		23,087		27,008		35,739		29,161		26,880		41,651		118,788		67,574
Other costs	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'
Interest and foreign exchange	4,031		5,905		6,322		5,900		6,236		6,560		6,630		5,383		22,158		24,809		36,992
Earnings (loss) before income tax and earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates	35,196		-52,977		20,087		17,187		20,772		29,179		22,531		21,497		19,493		93,979		14,925
Income tax expense	-12,155		-2,729		-5,590		-4,586		-10,593		-8,655		-5,348		-7,797		-25,060		-32,393		-3,564
Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates	249		82		-105		-40		-317		201		72		-372		186		-416		-2,974
Net earnings	23,290		-55,624		14,392		12,561		9,862		20,725		17,255		13,328		-5,381		61,170		8,387
Net (earnings) loss attributable to Noncontrolling interest	-2,574		-406		-553		-2,134		-2,458		-1,608		415		1,189		-5,667		-2,462		-1,921
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier	$20,716		($56,030)		$13,839		$10,427		$7,404		$19,117		$17,670		$14,517		($11,048)		$58,708		$6,466
Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$0.74	[3]	($2.10)	[3]	$0.51	[3]	$0.38	[3]	$0.27		$0.71		$0.66		$0.57		($0.41)	[3]	$2.21		$0.27
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$0.64	[4]	($2.10)	[4]	$0.45	[4]	$0.35	[4]	$0.26	[5]	$0.61	[5]	$0.57	[5]	$0.48	[5]	($0.41)	[4]	$1.91	[5],[6]	$0.24
[1]	Revenue is presented on the basis of geographic location of customers.
[2]	Goodwill impairment relates to the non-cash goodwill impairment charge recognized as part of the Company's annual goodwill impairment analysis as further discussed below.
[3]	Quarterly amounts do not total to the year to date amount as each period is calculated discretely.
[4]	Quarterly amounts do not total to the year to date amount as each period is calculated discretely. For the first, second and fourth quarters, diluted earnings per common share includes the outstanding warrants using the treasury stock method and the dilutive effect of shares underlying the 2018 Convertible Notes using the "if converted" method in which debt issuance and interest costs, net of tax, were added back to net earnings.
[5]	Quarterly amounts do not total to the year to date amount as each period is calculated discretely. Dilutive earnings per common share includes the outstanding warrants using the treasury stock method and the dilutive effect of shares underlying the 2018 Convertible Notes using the "if converted" method in which debt issuance and interest costs, net of tax, were added back to net earnings.
[6]	Diluted earnings per share was calculated as follows: Earnings before interest and debt issuance costs on convertible notes Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding