Trinity Industries (TRN) 10-Q 31 Oct 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 15, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'TRINITY INDUSTRIES INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000099780	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period	'Q3	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	78,090,627

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	$1,110.30	$907.30	$3,109.30	$2,799
Cost of revenues:	'	'	'	'
Total cost of revenues	836.3	728.1	2,359.60	2,250.60
Selling, engineering, and administrative expenses:	'	'	'	'
Total selling, engineering, and administrative expenses	70.6	55.8	211.1	159.5
Gains on disposition of property, plant, and equipment:	'	'	'	'
Net gains on railcar lease fleet sales owned more than one year at the time of sale	1.6	17	9.6	22.3
Other	0.6	0.3	0.3	4.7
Total gains on disposition of property, plant, and equipment	2.2	17.3	9.9	27
Total operating profit	205.6	140.7	548.5	415.9
Other (income) expense:	'	'	'	'
Interest income	-0.6	-0.3	-1.4	-1.1
Interest expense	45.8	47.8	141.5	143.6
Other, net	-0.5	-1.5	-2.3	-4.5
Other (income) expense, total	44.7	46	137.8	138
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	160.9	94.7	410.7	277.9
Provision for income taxes	55.1	32.3	143.5	97
Net income from continuing operations	105.8	62.4	267.2	180.9
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of provision for income taxes of $-, $-, $5.4 and $-	0	0	7.1	0
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of provision (benefit) for income taxes of $0.1, $0.4, $(0.7) and $1.2	0.3	0.7	-1.2	2
Net income	106.1	63.1	273.1	182.9
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	6.5	-0.1	10.4	-1
Net income attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc.	99.6	63.2	262.7	183.9
Net income attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc. per common share:	'	'	'	'
Basic, Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$1.26	$0.79	$3.24	$2.28
Basic, Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.01	$0.07	$0.02
Basic (in dollars per share)	$1.26	$0.80	$3.31	$2.30
Diluted, Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$1.26	$0.79	$3.24	$2.27
Diluted, Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.01	$0.07	$0.02
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$1.26	$0.80	$3.31	$2.29
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	76.1	76.5	76.7	77.3
Diluted (in shares)	76.2	76.7	76.8	77.5
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.15	$0.11	$0.39	$0.31
Manufacturing	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	959.7	748	2,654.70	2,305.30
Cost of revenues:	'	'	'	'
Total cost of revenues	767	643.8	2,134.20	1,980.80
Selling, engineering, and administrative expenses:	'	'	'	'
Total selling, engineering, and administrative expenses	43.9	35.9	133.7	105.3
Leasing	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	150.6	159.3	454.6	493.7
Cost of revenues:	'	'	'	'
Total cost of revenues	69.3	84.3	225.4	269.8
Selling, engineering, and administrative expenses:	'	'	'	'
Total selling, engineering, and administrative expenses	8.9	7.5	27.5	20.9
Other	'	'	'	'
Selling, engineering, and administrative expenses:	'	'	'	'
Total selling, engineering, and administrative expenses	$17.80	$12.40	$49.90	$33.30

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope1

Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Provision for income taxes related to gain on sale of discontinued operations	$0	$0	$5.40	$0
Provision (benefit) for income taxes related to income (loss) from discontinued operations	$0.10	$0.40	($0.70)	$1.20

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net income	$106.10	$63.10	$273.10	$182.90
Unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period, net of tax expense (benefit) of $(0.5), $0.7, $(0.1) and $1.8	-0.4	1.5	0.4	3.4
Reclassification adjustments for losses included in net income, net of tax benefit of $2.0, $1.0, $6.8 and $2.9	4.4	1.3	13.7	3.9
Currency translation adjustment - reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income, net of tax benefit of $-, $0.1, $- and $0.5	0	-0.1	0	0.6
Net actuarial losses of defined benefit plans:	'	'	'	'
Amortization of net actuarial losses, net of tax benefit of $0.4, $0.2, $1.4 and $0.9	0.8	0.5	2.3	1.6
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	4.8	3.2	16.4	9.5
Comprehensive income	110.9	66.3	289.5	192.4
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	7.3	0.2	13.6	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc.	$103.60	$66.10	$275.90	$192.40

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period, tax expense (benefit)	($0.50)	$0.70	($0.10)	$1.80
Reclassification adjustments for losses included in net income, tax benefit	2	1	6.8	2.9
Currency translation adjustment - reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income, tax benefit	0	0.1	0	0.5
Amortization of net actuarial losses, tax benefit	$0.40	$0.20	$1.40	$0.90

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'		'
Cash and cash equivalents	$402.60	[1]	$573
Short-term marketable securities	96	[1]	0
Receivables, net of allowance	501.5	[1]	390
Inventories:	'		'
Raw materials and supplies	419.1	[1]	405.3
Work in process	211.6	[1]	140.9
Finished goods	138.9	[1]	121.5
Inventory, net	769.6	[1]	667.7
Restricted cash, including partially-owned subsidiaries of $78.8 and $57.8	249.3	[1]	223.2
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost, including partially-owned subsidiaries of $1,945.7 and $1,703.1	6,193.20	[1]	5,642
Less accumulated depreciation, including partially-owned subsidiaries of $189.4 and $153.8	-1,491.90	[1]	-1,343
Property, plant, and equipment, net	4,701.30	[1]	4,299
Goodwill	250.8	[1]	240.4	[2]
Assets held for sale and discontinued operations	0	[1]	27.9
Other assets	287.2	[1]	248.7
Total assets	7,258.30	[1]	6,669.90
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'		'
Accounts payable	207	[1]	188.2
Accrued liabilities	685.7	[1]	583.1
Debt:	'		'
Recourse, net of unamortized discount of $77.6 and $87.5	416.2	[1]	458.1
Non-recourse:	'		'
Wholly-owned subsidiaries	1,332.20	[1]	1,404.20
Partially-owned subsidiaries	1,272.70	[1]	1,192.70
Total debt	3,021.10	[1]	3,055
Deferred income	41.7	[1]	44.5
Deferred income taxes	595.6	[1]	572.4
Liabilities held for sale and discontinued operations	0	[1]	3.7
Other liabilities	96.7	[1]	85.4
Total liabilities	4,647.80	[1]	4,532.30
Stockholders’ equity:	'		'
Preferred stock – 1.5 shares authorized and unissued	0	[1]	0
Common stock – 200.0 shares authorized	81.7	[1]	81.7
Capital in excess of par value	673.7	[1]	652.6
Retained earnings	1,768.90	[1]	1,536.70
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-135.5	[1]	-150.1
Treasury stock	-124.4	[1]	-67.9
Total stockholders' equity	2,264.40	[1]	2,053
Noncontrolling interest	346.1	[1]	84.6
Total stockholders' equity, including portion attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,610.50	[1]	2,137.60
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$7,258.30	[1]	$6,669.90
[1]	(unaudited)
[2]	(as reported)

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Unamortized discount on recourse debt	$77.60	[1]	$87.50
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,500,000	[1]	1,500,000
Preferred stock, shares unissued	1,500,000	[1]	1,500,000
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	[1]	200,000,000
Restricted cash	249.3	[1]	223.2
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost	6,193.20	[1]	5,642
Less accumulated depreciation	1,491.90	[1]	1,343
Partially-owned subsidiaries	'		'
Restricted cash	78.8	[1]	57.8
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost	1,945.70	[1]	1,703.10
Less accumulated depreciation	$189.40	[1]	$153.80
[1]	(unaudited)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Operating activities:	'		'
Net income	$273.10		$182.90
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'		'
Income from discontinued operations	-5.9		-2
Depreciation and amortization	156.2		144.5
Stock-based compensation expense	31.1		19.9
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	-8.1		1.4
Provision for deferred income taxes	-41.9		92.8
Net gains on sales of railcars owned more than one year at the time of sale	-9.6		-22.3
Gains (losses) on disposition of property, plant, equipment, and other assets	-0.3		-4.7
Non-cash interest expense	23.7		22.3
Other	-5.8		-9.7
Changes in assets and liabilities:	'		'
(Increase) decrease in receivables	-112.3		-38.5
(Increase) decrease in inventories	-86		-141
(Increase) decrease in other assets	-34.8		-60.3
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	19.7		4.4
Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities	123.8		62.8
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	45.6		-3
Net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations	368.5		249.5
Net cash provided by operating activities - discontinued operations	6.2		2.6
Net cash provided by operating activities	374.7		252.1
Investing activities:	'		'
(Increase) decrease in short-term marketable securities	-96		0
Proceeds from sales of railcars owned more than one year at the time of sale	59.3		94.9
Proceeds from lease fleet sales - sale and leaseback	0		7.2
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant, equipment, and other assets	1.1		15.7
Capital expenditures – leasing, net of sold railcars owned one year or less with a net cost of $15.4 and $79.8	-455.5		-266.3
Capital expenditures – manufacturing and other	-91.2		-64.6
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-37.2		-4.9
Other	-9.4		0
Net cash required by investing activities - continuing operations	-628.9		-218
Net cash provided by investing activities - discontinued operations	0.4		0.4
Net cash required by investing activities	-628.5		-217.6
Financing activities:	'		'
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net	2.1		2.1
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	8.1		-1.4
Payments to retire debt	-227.5		-122.4
Proceeds from issuance of debt	175.4		115.1
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	-26.1		5.5
Shares repurchased	-71.1		-45.2
Dividends paid to common shareholders	-27.5		-23.1
Proceeds from sale of interests in partially-owned leasing subsidiaries	296.7		0
Repurchase of noncontrolling interests in partially-owned leasing subsidiary	-84		0
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	50		0
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	-3.3		0
Other	-8.3		-5.3
Net cash provided (required) by financing activities - continuing operations	84.5		-74.7
Net cash provided (required) by financing activities - discontinued operations	-1.1		1.3
Net cash provided (required) by financing activities	83.4		-73.4
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-170.4		-38.9
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	573		351.1
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$402.60	[1]	$312.20
[1]	(unaudited)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas1

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Capital expenditures – leasing, net of sold railcars owned one year or less, net cost	$15.40	$79.80

Consolidated_Statement_of_Stoc

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (unaudited) (USD $)	Total		Common Stock	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Treasury Stock	Trinity Stockholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interest
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$2,137.60		$81.70	$652.60	$1,536.70	($150.10)	($67.90)	$2,053	$84.60
Beginning balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2012	'		81,700,000	'	'	'	-2,600,000	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'		'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	273.1		'	'	262.7	'	'	262.7	10.4
Other comprehensive income	16.4		'	'	'	13.2	'	13.2	3.2
Cash dividends on common stock	-30.5		'	'	-30.5	'	'	-30.5	'
Restricted shares, net	24		'	10.6	'	'	13.4	24	'
Restricted shares, net, Shares	'		'	'	'	'	700,000	'	'
Shares repurchased	-73.8		'	'	'	'	-73.8	-73.8	'
Shares repurchased, Shares	-1,834,189		'	'	'	'	-1,800,000	'	'
Stock options exercised	2.1		'	-1.8	'	'	3.9	2.1	'
Stock options exercised, Shares	'		'	'	'	'	100,000	'	'
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	8.3		'	8.3	'	'	'	8.3	'
Repurchase of interests in partially-owned leasing subsidiary	-84.2		'	11.8	'	-11.8	'	0	-84.2
Sale of interests in partially-owned leasing subsidiaries	291.3		'	-7.3	'	13.2	'	5.9	285.4
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	50		'	'	'	'	'	'	50
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	-3.3		'	'	'	'	'	'	-3.3
Other	-0.5		'	-0.5	'	'	'	-0.5	'
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$2,610.50	[1]	$81.70	$673.70	$1,768.90	($135.50)	($124.40)	$2,264.40	$346.10
Ending balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2013	'		81,700,000	'	'	'	-3,600,000	'	'
[1]	(unaudited)

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Basis of Presentation
	The foregoing consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared from the books and records of Trinity Industries, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (“Trinity”, “Company”, “we”, or “our”) including the accounts of its wholly-owned subsidiaries and its partially-owned subsidiaries, TRIP Rail Holdings LLC (“TRIP Holdings”) and RIV 2013 Rail Holdings LLC ("RIV 2013"), in which the Company has controlling interest. In our opinion, all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2013, and the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, have been made in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Certain amounts previously reported have been adjusted in the accompanying consolidated financial statements to remove the effects of discontinued operations. See Note 2 Acquisitions and Divestitures. Because of seasonal and other factors, the results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 may not be indicative of expected results of operations for the year ending December 31, 2013. These interim financial statements and notes are condensed as permitted by the instructions to Form 10-Q and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company included in its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	Stockholders' Equity
	In September 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $200 million share repurchase program, effective October 1, 2012, which expires on December 31, 2014. Under the program, 539,941 shares and 1,834,189 shares, respectively, were repurchased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 at a cost of approximately $23.9 million and $73.8 million, respectively. Certain shares of stock repurchased during September 2013, totaling $2.7 million, were cash settled in October 2013 in accordance with normal settlement practices. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company repurchased 141,992 shares and 1,834,221 shares, respectively, under the prior program at a cost of approximately $4.0 million and $45.2 million, respectively.
	Revenue Recognition
	Revenues for contracts providing for a large number of units and few deliveries are recorded as the individual units are produced, inspected, and accepted by the customer as the risk of loss passes to the customer upon pre-delivery acceptance on these contracts. This occurs primarily in the Rail and Inland Barge Groups. Revenue from rentals and operating leases, including contracts which contain non-level fixed rental payments, is recognized monthly on a straight-line basis. Revenue is recognized from the sales of railcars from the lease fleet on a gross basis in leasing revenues and cost of revenues if the railcar has been owned for one year or less at the time of sale. Sales of railcars from the lease fleet that have been owned for more than one year are recognized as a net gain or loss from the disposal of a long-term asset. Fees for shipping and handling are recorded as revenue. For all other products, we recognize revenue when products are shipped or services are provided.
	Financial Instruments
	The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments to be either cash and cash equivalents if purchased with a maturity of three months or less, or short-term marketable securities if purchased with a maturity of more than three months and less than one year. The Company intends to hold its short-term marketable securities until they are redeemed at their maturity date and believes that under the "more likely than not" criteria, the Company will not be required to sell the securities before recovery of their amortized cost bases, which may be maturity.
	Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk are primarily cash investments including restricted cash, short-term marketable securities, and receivables. The Company places its cash investments and short-term marketable securities in bank deposits and investment grade, short-term debt instruments and limits the amount of credit exposure to any one commercial issuer. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables are limited due to control procedures that monitor the credit worthiness of customers, the large number of customers in the Company's customer base, and their dispersion across different industries and geographic areas. As receivables are generally unsecured, the Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon the expected collectability of all receivables. Receivable balances determined to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance. The carrying values of cash, short-term marketable securities, receivables, and accounts payable are considered to be representative of their respective fair values. At September 30, 2013, one customer's net receivable balance in our Energy Equipment Group, all within terms, accounted for 14% of the consolidated net receivables balance outstanding.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-02, "Reporting of Amounts Reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income," ("ASU 2013-02") 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. ASU 2013-02 became effective for public companies during interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012 with early adoption permitted. Accordingly, the Company adopted this new standard on January 1, 2013. The adoption of ASU 2013-02 did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
	Reclassifications
	Certain prior year balances have been reclassified in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, Consolidated Balance Sheets, and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows to conform to the 2013 presentation.

Acquisitions_and_Divestitures

Acquisitions and Divestitures	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions and Divestitures	'
	Acquisitions and Divestitures
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company's acquisition and divestiture activity included the sale of its remaining ready-mix concrete operations in exchange for certain aggregates operations in Texas, Colorado, and California. The aggregates operations acquired and another acquisition completed in April 2013 were recorded based on preliminary valuations of the related assets and liabilities at their acquisition date fair value using Level 3 inputs. Such assets and liabilities were not significant in relation to consolidated assets and liabilities. See Note 3 Fair Value for a discussion of inputs in determining fair value.
	In April 2013, the Company completed an acquisition of a business in our Energy Equipment Group whose purchase price, net cash paid, and goodwill recorded amounted to $27.9 million, $27.9 million, and $3.2 million, respectively. All remaining acquisition and divestiture activity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 occurred within our Construction Products Group.
	The Company's acquisition and divestiture activity is summarized below:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013			2012
		(in millions)
	Acquisition:
	Purchase price	$	—	$	5.5	$	83.4		$	7.5
	Net cash paid	$	—	$	4.9	$	37.2		$	4.9
	Goodwill recorded	$	—	$	3.2	$	9.5		$	4
	Divestiture:
	Proceeds	$	—	$	—	$	35.6		$	2.1
	Gain recognized	$	—	$	—	$	12.5		$	1.5
	Goodwill charged off	$	—	$	—	$	4.8		$	0.1
	The divestiture of our ready-mix concrete operations has been accounted for and reported as a discontinued operation and, accordingly, historical amounts previously reported have been adjusted, where appropriate, to remove the effect of discontinued operations. Further, assets and liabilities related to the discontinued operations have been classified as Assets/Liabilities Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as follows:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(in millions)
	Assets of Ready-Mix Concrete Operations:
	Inventories	$	—	$	4.5
	Property, plant, and equipment, net	—		16.9
	Goodwill	—		6.3
	Other	—		0.2
		$	—	$	27.9
	Liabilities of Ready-Mix Concrete Operations:
	Debt	$	—	$	3.7
		$	—	$	3.7
	Condensed results of operations for the ready-mix concrete operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013			2012
		(in millions)
	Revenues	$	—	$	30.2	$	31.6		$	92.2
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes	$	0.4	$	1.1	$	(1.9	)	$	3.3
	Income tax expense (benefit)	0.1		0.4		(0.7		)	1.2
	Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	0.3	$	0.7	$	(1.2	)	$	2.1

Fair_Value_Accounting

Fair Value Accounting	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Accounting	'
	Fair Value Accounting
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
		Fair Value Measurement as of September 30, 2013
		(in millions)
		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3			Total
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	160.3		$	—	$	—		$	160.3
	Restricted cash	249.3			—		—			249.3
	Total assets	$	409.6		$	—	$	—		$	409.6
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate hedges:(1)
	Wholly-owned subsidiaries	$	—		$	25.5	$	—		$	25.5
	Partially-owned subsidiaries	—			2.8		—			2.8
	Total liabilities	$	—		$	28.3	$	—		$	28.3
		Fair Value Measurement as of December 31, 2012
		(in millions)
		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3			Total
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	246.6		$	155	$	—		$	401.6
	Restricted cash	223.2			—		—			223.2
	Equity call agreement with TRIP Holdings equity investor(2)	—			—		0.8			0.8
	Fuel derivative instruments(2)	—			0.1		—			0.1
	Total assets	$	469.8		$	155.1	$	0.8		$	625.7
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate hedges:(1)
	Wholly-owned subsidiaries	$	—		$	37.6	$	—		$	37.6
	Partially-owned subsidiaries	—			5.2		—			5.2
	Equity put agreement with TRIP Holdings equity investor(3)	—			—		2.9			2.9
	Total liabilities	$	—		$	42.8	$	2.9		$	45.7
	(1) Included in accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
	(2) Included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
	(3) Included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
	Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for that asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. An entity is required to establish a fair value hierarchy that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values are listed below:
	Level 1 – This level is defined as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The Company’s cash equivalents, excluding commercial paper, and restricted cash are instruments of the U.S. Treasury or highly-rated money market mutual funds.
	Level 2 – This level is defined as observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Cash equivalents include commercial paper valued using quoted prices in secondary markets. The Company’s fuel derivative instruments, which are commodity swaps, are valued using energy and commodity market data. Interest rate hedges are valued at exit prices obtained from each counterparty. See Note 7 Derivative Instruments and Note 11 Debt.
	Level 3 – This level is defined as unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. The equity put and call agreements with the TRIP equity investor are valued based on cash flow projections and certain assumptions regarding the likelihood of exercising the option under the related agreement. See Note 5 Partially-Owned Leasing Subsidiaries.
	The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our long-term debt are as follows:
		30-Sep-13					31-Dec-12
		Carrying			Estimated		Carrying			Estimated
		Value			Fair Value		Value			Fair Value
		(in millions)
	Recourse:
	Convertible subordinated notes	$	450		$	550.7	$	450		$	506.6
	Less: unamortized discount	(77.6		)			(87.5		)
		372.4					362.5
	Capital lease obligations	42.9			42.9		45.8			45.8
	Term loan	—			—		48.6			53.3
	Other	0.9			0.9		1.2			1.2
		416.2			594.5		458.1			606.9
	Non-recourse:
	2006 secured railcar equipment notes	244.7			265		255.8			292
	Promissory notes	403.5			396.2		424.1			414.6
	2009 secured railcar equipment notes	201.6			234.1		209.2			260.4
	2010 secured railcar equipment notes	330.4			348.7		341.5			387.2
	TILC warehouse facility	152			152		173.6			173.6
	TRL 2012 secured railcar equipment notes - RIV 2013	505.6			470.5		333.8			321.7
	TRIP Holdings senior secured notes	—			—		61.2			62.5
	TRIP Master Funding secured railcar equipment notes	767.1			830.7		797.7			952
		2,604.90			2,697.20		2,596.90			2,864.00
	Total	$	3,021.10		$	3,291.70	$	3,055.00		$	3,470.90
	The estimated fair value of our convertible subordinated notes was based on a quoted market price in a market with little activity as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively (Level 2 input). The estimated fair values of our 2006, 2009, 2010, and 2012 secured railcar equipment notes, promissory notes, TRIP Holdings senior secured notes, TRIP Rail Master Funding LLC (“TRIP Master Funding”) secured railcar equipment notes, and term loan are based on our estimate of their fair value as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. These values were determined by discounting their future cash flows at the current market interest rate (Level 3 inputs). The carrying value of our Trinity Industries Leasing Company (“TILC”) warehouse facility approximates fair value because the interest rate adjusts to the market interest rate (Level 3 input). The fair values of all other financial instruments are estimated to approximate carrying value. See Note 11 Debt for a description of the Company's long-term debt.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	The Company reports operating results in five principal business segments: (1) the Rail Group, which manufactures and sells railcars and related parts and components; (2) the Construction Products Group, which manufactures and sells highway products and other steel products for infrastructure-related projects, and produces and sells aggregates; (3) the Inland Barge Group, which manufactures and sells barges and related products for inland waterway services; (4) the Energy Equipment Group, which manufactures and sells products for energy-related businesses, including structural wind towers, containers, and tank heads for pressure and non-pressure vessels, and utility, traffic, and lighting structures; and (5) the Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group (“Leasing Group”), which owns and operates a fleet of railcars as well as provides third-party fleet management, maintenance, and leasing services. The segment All Other includes our captive insurance and transportation companies; legal, environmental, and maintenance costs associated with non-operating facilities; other peripheral businesses; and the change in market valuation related to ineffective commodity hedges. Gains and losses from the sale of property, plant, and equipment that are related to manufacturing and dedicated to the specific manufacturing operations of a particular segment are included in operating profit of that respective segment. Gains and losses from the sale of property, plant, and equipment that can be utilized by multiple segments are included in operating profit of the All Other segment.
	As discussed in Note 2, Acquisitions and Divestitures, the Company sold its remaining ready-mix concrete operations that have historically been a component of the Construction Products Group. The divestiture of our ready-mix concrete operations has been accounted for and reported as a discontinued operation and, accordingly, historical segment information previously reported has been adjusted to exclude the discontinued operations from the Construction Products Group.
	Sales and related net profits from the Rail Group to the Leasing Group are recorded in the Rail Group and eliminated in consolidation. Sales between these groups are recorded at prices comparable to those charged to external customers, taking into consideration quantity, features, and production demand. Intersegment sales and net profit ("deferred profit") are eliminated in consolidation and reflected in the "Eliminations – Lease subsidiary" line in the table below. Amortization of this deferred profit on railcars sold to the Leasing Group is included in the operating profits of the Leasing Group, resulting in the recognition of depreciation expense based on the Company's original manufacturing cost of the railcars. Sales of railcars from the lease fleet are included in the Leasing Group, with related gains and losses computed based on the net book value of the original manufacturing cost of the railcars.
	The financial information from continuing operations for these segments is shown in the tables below. We operate principally in North America.
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Revenues								Operating Profit (Loss)
		External		Intersegment			Total
		(in millions)
	Rail Group	$	541.5	$	177		$	718.5		$	121.5
	Construction Products Group	145.8		3.4			149.2			18.6
	Inland Barge Group	136.4		—			136.4			23.8
	Energy Equipment Group	135		34.7			169.7			15
	Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	150.6		—			150.6			74
	All Other	1		21			22			(1.6		)
	Segment Totals before Eliminations and Corporate Expenses	1,110.30		236.1			1,346.40			251.3
	Corporate	—		—			—			(17.8		)
	Eliminations – Lease subsidiary	—		(173.0		)	(173.0		)	(28.3		)
	Eliminations – Other	—		(63.1		)	(63.1		)	0.4
	Consolidated Total	$	1,110.30	$	—		$	1,110.30		$	205.6
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
		Revenues								Operating Profit (Loss)
		External		Intersegment			Total
		(in millions)
	Rail Group	$	328.3	$	129.6		$	457.9		$	35.2
	Construction Products Group	118		6.1			124.1			11.5
	Inland Barge Group	166.5		—			166.5			26.9
	Energy Equipment Group	131		4.6			135.6			9.5
	Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	159.3		0.6			159.9			85.1
	All Other	4.2		20.4			24.6			(2.0		)
	Segment Totals before Eliminations and Corporate Expenses	907.3		161.3			1,068.60			166.2
	Corporate	—		—			—			(12.4		)
	Eliminations – Lease subsidiary	—		(125.9		)	(125.9		)	(14.1		)
	Eliminations – Other	—		(35.4		)	(35.4		)	1
	Consolidated Total	$	907.3	$	—		$	907.3		$	140.7
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Revenues								Operating Profit (Loss)
		External		Intersegment			Total
		(in millions)
	Rail Group	$	1,439.20	$	572.8		$	2,012.00		$	332.3
	Construction Products Group	393.1		14.4			407.5			45.3
	Inland Barge Group	433.8		—			433.8			69
	Energy Equipment Group	384.9		92			476.9			44.2
	Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	454.6		—			454.6			211.3
	All Other	3.7		59.3			63			(8.0		)
	Segment Totals before Eliminations and Corporate Expenses	3,109.30		738.5			3,847.80			694.1
	Corporate	—		—			—			(49.9		)
	Eliminations – Lease subsidiary	—		(560.5		)	(560.5		)	(95.4		)
	Eliminations – Other	—		(178.0		)	(178.0		)	(0.3		)
	Consolidated Total	$	3,109.30	$	—		$	3,109.30		$	548.5
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
		Revenues								Operating Profit (Loss)
		External		Intersegment			Total
		(in millions)
	Rail Group	$	1,049.70	$	392.2		$	1,441.90		$	128.3
	Construction Products Group	357.2		16.7			373.9			35.4
	Inland Barge Group	509.8		—			509.8			93.5
	Energy Equipment Group	377.7		13.6			391.3			9.7
	Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	493.7		2.7			496.4			228
	All Other	10.9		50.2			61.1			(7.1		)
	Segment Totals before Eliminations and Corporate Expenses	2,799.00		475.4			3,274.40			487.8
	Corporate	—		—			—			(33.6		)
	Eliminations – Lease subsidiary	—		(380.8		)	(380.8		)	(37.2		)
Eliminations – Other	—		(94.6		)	(94.6		)	(1.1		)
Consolidated Total	$	2,799.00	$	—		$	2,799.00		$	415.9

PartiallyOwned_Leasing_Subsidi

Partially-Owned Leasing Subsidiaries	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Partially-Owned Leasing Subsidiaries [Abstract]	'
Partially-Owned Leasing Subsidiaries	'
	Partially-Owned Leasing Subsidiaries
	The Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, TILC, formed two subsidiaries, TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013, for the purpose of providing railcar leasing in North America. Each of TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013 are direct, partially-owned subsidiaries of TILC and are each governed by a seven-member board of representatives, two of whom are designated by TILC. TILC is the agent of each of TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013 and as such, has been delegated the authority, power, and discretion to take certain actions on behalf of the respective companies. Each of TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013 in turn has wholly-owned subsidiaries which are the owners of railcars. These wholly-owned subsidiaries are TRIP Master Funding (wholly-owned by TRIP Holdings) and Trinity Rail Leasing 2012 LLC ("TRL 2012", wholly-owned by RIV 2013). TILC is the contractual servicer for TRIP Master Funding and TRL 2012, with the authority to manage and service each entity's owned railcars. The Company's controlling interest in each of TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013 results from its combined role as both equity member and agent/servicer. The noncontrolling interest included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets represents the non-Trinity equity interest in these partially-owned subsidiaries. The railcars owned by TRIP Master Funding were originally acquired from the Company's Rail and Leasing Groups by TRIP Rail Leasing LLC ("TRIP Leasing"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of TRIP Holdings. TRIP Master Funding acquired the railcars from TRIP Leasing in July 2011. TRIP Leasing currently owns no railcars and is not expected to acquire any railcars.
	TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013, through TRIP Leasing and TRL 2012, respectively, acquired railcars from the Company's Rail and Leasing Groups funded by capital contributions from TILC and third-party equity investors, and from secured borrowings. Railcars purchased from the Company by TRL 2012 are required to be purchased at fair value as determined by TILC and approved by TRL 2012's board of representatives. TRIP Holdings and TRIP Master Funding are not expected to acquire additional railcars, other than as replacements for railcars subject to permitted sale or casualty. The assets of each of TRIP Holdings, TRIP Master Funding, RIV 2013, and TRL 2012 may only be used to satisfy the particular subsidiary's liabilities, and the creditors of each of TRIP Holdings, TRIP Master Funding, RIV 2013, and TRL 2012 have recourse only to the particular subsidiary's assets. Each of TILC and the third-party equity investors receive distributions from TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013, when allowed, in proportion to its respective equity interests, and has an interest in the net assets of the partially-owned subsidiaries upon a liquidation event in the same proportion. TILC is paid fees for the services it provides to TRIP Master Funding and TRL 2012 and has the potential to earn certain incentive fees. With respect to RIV 2013, TILC has a commitment that expires May 2016 to provide additional equity funding for the purchase of railcars and satisfaction of certain other liabilities of RIV 2013 of up to $27.9 million as of September 30, 2013. The third-party equity investors in RIV 2013 have a similar commitment that expires May 2016 to provide up to $63.4 million of additional equity funding. TILC and the third-party equity investors may have additional commitments to provide equity funding to RIV 2013 that expire in May 2019 contingent upon certain returns on investment in RIV 2013 and other conditions being met. Trinity has no obligation to guarantee performance under any of the partially-owned subsidiaries' (or their respective subsidiaries') debt agreements, guarantee any railcar residual values, shield any parties from losses, or guarantee minimum yields.
	TRIP Holdings. In March 2013, the Company purchased an additional interest in TRIP Holdings from another equity investor for $31.7 million resulting in a reduction in the carrying amount of noncontrolling interest by $32.3 million. As a result, certain previous put/call agreements with the equity investor regarding their equity interest were terminated. In May 2013, the Company sold an interest in TRIP Holdings to certain third-party investors for a net amount of $200.3 million. Proceeds from the sale along with an additional equity contribution by TILC, were primarily used to retire the TRIP Holdings senior secured notes in their entirety. Additionally, the remaining interests of certain other equity investors were repurchased by TRIP Holdings for $52.3 million. At September 30, 2013, the Company's carrying value of its investment in TRIP Holdings, eliminated in consolidation, was $163.2 million representing the Company's 45% ownership interest.
	RIV 2013. In May 2013, the Company formed RIV 2013, contributing its investment in TRL 2012 which had been formed as a wholly-owned railcar leasing subsidiary of TILC in December 2012. In May 2013, the Company sold an interest in RIV 2013 to certain third-party investors for a net amount of $94.6 million. On July 31, 2013, TILC and the third-party investors of RIV 2013 contributed $23.4 million and 50.0 million, respectively, net of expenses, to RIV 2013 in proportion to their respective equity interests. These contributions combined with additional secured borrowings were used to purchase additional railcar equipment from TILC. In August 2013, one of the third-party investors purchased an additional interest in RIV 2013 from the remaining investors for $2.5 million. At September 30, 2013, the Company's carrying value of its investment in RIV 2013, net of proceeds received from the sale of its previously-owned interest and eliminated in consolidation, was $44.2 million, representing the Company's 31% interest.
	See Note 11 Debt regarding the debt of TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013 and their respective subsidiaries.

Railcar_Leasing_and_Management

Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'
	Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group
	The Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group owns and operates a fleet of railcars as well as provides third-party fleet management, maintenance, and leasing services. Selected consolidating financial information for the Leasing Group is as follows:
		30-Sep-13
		Leasing Group
		Wholly-			Partially-Owned Subsidiaries			Manufacturing/				Total
		Owned						Corporate
		Subsidiaries
		(in millions)
	Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term marketable securities	$	2.5		$	—		$	496.1			$	498.6
	Property, plant, and equipment, net	$	2,964.60		$	1,756.30		$	629			$	5,349.90
	Net deferred profit on railcars sold to											(648.6		)
	the Leasing Group
	Consolidated property, plant and equipment, net											$	4,701.30
	Restricted cash	$	170.5		$	78.8		$	—			$	249.3
	Debt:
	Recourse	$	42.9		$	—		$	450.9			$	493.8
	Less: unamortized discount	—			—			(77.6		)		(77.6		)
		42.9			—			373.3				416.2
	Non-recourse	1,332.20			1,272.70			—				2,604.90
	Total debt	$	1,375.10		$	1,272.70		$	373.3			$	3,021.10
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	693.2		$	—		$	(124.9	)		$	568.3
		31-Dec-12
		Leasing Group
		Wholly-			Partially-Owned Subsidiaries			Manufacturing/				Total
		Owned						Corporate
		Subsidiaries
		(in millions)
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	5.7		$	—		$	567.3			$	573
	Property, plant, and equipment, net	$	2,773.10		$	1,549.30		$	539.3			$	4,861.70
	Net deferred profit on railcars sold to											(562.7		)
	the Leasing Group
	Consolidated property, plant and equipment, net											$	4,299.00
	Restricted cash	$	165.4		$	57.8		$	—			$	223.2
	Debt:
	Recourse	$	94.4		$	—		$	451.2			$	545.6
	Less: unamortized discount	—			—			(87.5		)		(87.5		)
		94.4			—			363.7				458.1
	Non-recourse	1,404.20			1,301.50			—				2,705.70
	Less: non-recourse debt owned by Trinity	—			(108.8		)	—				(108.8		)
	Total debt	$	1,498.60		$	1,192.70		$	363.7			$	3,055.00
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	671.1		$	5.4		$	(120.7	)		$	555.8
	See Note 5 Partially-Owned Leasing Subsidiaries and Note 11 Debt for a further discussion regarding the Company’s investment in its partially-owned leasing subsidiaries and the related indebtedness. Certain prior year balances with respect to RIV 2013 have been reclassified as pertaining to a partially-owned subsidiary to conform to the 2013 presentation. See Note 5 Partially-Owned Leasing Subsidiaries.
		Three Months Ended September 30,									Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			Percent			2013				2012				Percent
		($ in millions)						Change			($ in millions)								Change
	Revenues:
	Leasing and management	$	150.6		$	136.5		10.3	%		$	435.6			$	395.9			10	%
	Sales of railcars owned one year or less at the time of sale	—			23.4			*			19				100.5				*
	Total revenues	$	150.6		$	159.9		(5.8	)		$	454.6			$	496.4			(8.4	)
	Operating profit:
	Leasing and management	$	72.4		$	63.8		13.5			$	198.2			$	185			7.1
	Railcar sales:
	Railcars owned one year or less at the time of sale	—			4.3						3.5				20.7
	Railcars owned more than one year at the time of sale	1.6			17						9.6				22.3
	Total operating profit	$	74		$	85.1		(13.0	)		$	211.3			$	228			(7.3	)
	Operating profit margin:
	Leasing and management	48.1		%	46.7		%				45.5		%		46.7		%
	Railcar sales	*			*						*				*
	Total operating profit margin	49.1		%	53.2		%				46.5		%		45.9		%
	Selected expense information(1):
	Depreciation	$	32.8		$	30.6		7.2			$	95.8			$	89.9			6.6
	Maintenance	$	16.4		$	14.4		13.9			$	53.8			$	43.2			24.5
	Rent	$	13.3		$	12.7		4.7			$	40			$	38.2			4.7
Interest:
External	$	37.3		$	39.3					$	116.2			$	118.4
Intercompany	—			3.3						3.8				9.8
Total interest expense	$	37.3		$	42.6		(12.4	)		$	120			$	128.2			(6.4	)
* Not meaningful
(1) Depreciation, maintenance, and rent expense are components of operating profit. Amortization of deferred profit on railcars sold from the Rail Group to the Leasing Group is included in the operating profits of the Leasing Group resulting in the recognition of depreciation expense based on the Company's original manufacturing cost of the railcars. Interest expense is not a component of operating profit and includes the effect of hedges. Intercompany interest expense arises from Trinity’s previous ownership of a portion of TRIP Holdings’ Senior Secured Notes and is eliminated in consolidation. See Note 11 Debt.
Equipment consists primarily of railcars leased by third parties. The Leasing Group purchases equipment manufactured predominantly by the Rail Group and enters into lease contracts with third parties with terms generally ranging between one and twenty years. The Leasing Group primarily enters into operating leases. Future contractual minimum rental revenues on leases are as follows:
		Remaining three months of 2013			2014			2015				2016				2017				Thereafter		Total
		(in millions)
Future contractual minimum rental revenue		$	115		$	395.6		$	333.3			$	271.2			$	206.9			$	393.6	$	1,715.60
Debt. The Leasing Group’s debt at September 30, 2013 consisted of both recourse and non-recourse debt. As of September 30, 2013, Trinity’s wholly-owned subsidiaries included in the Leasing Group held equipment with a net book value of $2,063.0 million, excluding deferred profit, which is pledged as collateral for Leasing Group debt held by those subsidiaries, including equipment with a net book value of $47.7 million securing capital lease obligations. The net book value, excluding deferred profit, of unpledged equipment at September 30, 2013 was $812.1 million. See Note 11 Debt for the form, maturities, and descriptions of Leasing Group debt.
Partially-owned subsidiaries. Debt owed by TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013 and their respective subsidiaries is nonrecourse to Trinity and TILC. Creditors of each of TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013 and their respective subsidiaries have recourse only to the particular subsidiary's assets. TRIP Master Funding equipment with a net book value of $1,089.6 million, excluding deferred profit, resulting from the sale of railcars to TRIP Master Funding, is pledged as collateral for the TRIP Master Funding debt. TRL 2012 equipment with a net book value of $666.7 million, excluding deferred profit, resulting from the sale of railcars to TRL 2012, is pledged solely as collateral for the TRL 2012 secured railcar equipment notes. See Note 5 Partially-Owned Leasing Subsidiaries for a description of TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements. In prior years, the Leasing Group completed a series of financing transactions whereby railcars were sold to one or more separate independent owner trusts (“Trusts”). Each of the Trusts financed the purchase of the railcars with a combination of debt and equity. In each transaction, the equity participant in the Trust is considered to be the primary beneficiary of the Trust and therefore, the debt related to the Trust is not included as part of the consolidated financial statements. The Leasing Group, through wholly-owned, qualified subsidiaries, leased railcars from the Trusts under operating leases with terms of 22 years, and subleased the railcars to independent third-party customers under shorter term operating rental agreements.
These Leasing Group subsidiaries had total assets as of September 30, 2013 of $206.0 million, including cash of $84.3 million and railcars of $88.7 million. The subsidiaries' cash, railcars, and an interest in each sublease are pledged to collateralize the lease obligations to the Trusts and are included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company. Trinity does not guarantee the performance of the subsidiaries’ lease obligations. Certain ratios and cash deposits must be maintained by the Leasing Group’s subsidiaries in order for excess cash flow, as defined in the agreements, from the lease to third parties to be available to Trinity. Future operating lease obligations of the Leasing Group’s subsidiaries as well as future contractual minimum rental revenues related to these leases due to the Leasing Group are as follows:
		Remaining three months of 2013			2014			2015				2016				2017				Thereafter		Total
		(in millions)
Future operating lease obligations of Trusts’ railcars		$	11.3		$	44.7		$	43			$	40.1			$	41.9			$	298.9	$	479.9
Future contractual minimum rental revenues of Trusts’ railcars		$	15.9		$	53.4		$	42.7			$	32.6			$	23.2			$	37.6	$	205.4
Operating Lease Obligations. Future amounts due as well as future contractual minimum rental revenues related to operating leases other than leases discussed above are as follows:
		Remaining three months of 2013			2014			2015				2016				2017				Thereafter		Total
		(in millions)
Future operating lease obligations		$	3.2		$	12.8		$	12.8			$	12.7			$	12.1			$	50.3	$	103.9
Future contractual minimum rental revenues		$	4.7		$	18		$	12.4			$	11.5			$	8.9			$	14.5	$	70
Operating lease obligations totaling $22.9 million are guaranteed by Trinity Industries, Inc. and certain subsidiaries. See Note 5 of the December 31, 2012 Consolidated Financial Statements filed on Form 10-K for a detailed explanation of these financing transactions.

Derivative_Instruments

Derivative Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Instruments	'
	Derivative Instruments
	We use derivative instruments to mitigate the impact of changes in interest rates, both in anticipation of future debt issuances and to offset interest rate variability of certain floating rate debt issuances outstanding. We also use derivative instruments to mitigate the impact of changes in natural gas and diesel fuel prices and changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges are accounted for in accordance with applicable accounting standards. See Note 3 Fair Value Accounting for discussion of how the Company valued its commodity hedges and interest rate swaps at September 30, 2013. See Note 11 Debt for a description of the Company's debt instruments.
	Interest rate hedges
								Included in accompanying balance sheet
								at September 30, 2013
		Notional			Interest			Liability				AOCL –				Noncontrolling
		Amount			Rate(1)							loss/				Interest
												(income)
		(in millions, except %)
	Expired hedges:
	2006 secured railcar equipment notes	$	200		4.87	%		$	—			$	(1.7	)		$	—
	Promissory notes	$	370		5.34	%		$	—			$	4.9			$	—
	TRIP Holdings warehouse loan	$	788.5		3.6	%		$	—			$	13.5			$	16.6
	Open hedges:
	TRIP Master Funding secured railcar equipment notes	$	70		2.62	%		$	2.8			$	1.2			$	1.5
	Promissory notes	$	421.6		4.13	%		$	25.5			$	23.5			$	—
	(1)	Weighted average fixed interest rate
		Effect on interest expense - increase/(decrease)
		Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended								Expected effect during next twelve months(1)
		September 30,							September 30,
		2013			2012				2013				2012
		(in millions)
	Expired hedges:
	2006 secured railcar equipment notes	$	—		$	(0.1	)		$	(0.2	)		$	(0.3	)		$	(0.3	)
	Promissory notes	$	0.8		$	0.8			$	2.4			$	2.5			$	3
	TRIP Holdings warehouse loan	$	1.3		$	1.5			$	4.8			$	4.5			$	5.2
	Open hedges:
	TRIP Master Funding secured railcar equipment notes	$	0.4		$	0.5			$	1.3			$	1.5			$	1.5
	Promissory notes	$	4		$	4.3			$	12			$	12.7			$	16
	(1) Based on the fair value of open hedges as of September 30, 2013
	During 2005 and 2006, we entered into interest rate swap derivatives in anticipation of issuing our 2006 Secured Railcar Equipment Notes. These derivative instruments, with a notional amount of $200.0 million, were settled in 2006 and fixed the interest rate on a portion of the related debt issuance. These derivative instrument transactions are being accounted for as cash flow hedges with changes in the fair value of the instruments of $4.5 million in income recorded in AOCL through the date the related debt issuance closed in 2006. The balance is being amortized over the term of the related debt. The effect on interest expense is due to amortization of the AOCL balance.
	During 2006 and 2007, we entered into interest rate swap derivatives in anticipation of issuing our Promissory Notes. These derivative instruments, with a notional amount of $370.0 million, were settled in 2008 and fixed the interest rate on a portion of the related debt issuance. These derivative instrument transactions are being accounted for as cash flow hedges with changes in the fair value of the instruments of $24.5 million recorded as a loss in AOCL through the date the related debt issuance closed in 2008. The balance is being amortized over the term of the related debt. The effect on interest expense is due to amortization of the AOCL balance.
	In 2008, we entered into an interest rate swap derivative instrument, expiring in 2015, to fix the variable Libor component of the Promissory Notes. This derivative instrument transaction is being accounted for as a cash flow hedge. The effect on interest expense is primarily a result of monthly interest settlements.
	Between 2007 and 2009, TRIP Holdings, as required by the TRIP Warehouse Loan, entered into interest rate swap derivatives, all of which qualified as cash flow hedges, to reduce the effect of changes in variable interest rates in the TRIP Warehouse Loan. In July 2011, these interest rate hedges were terminated in connection with the refinancing of the TRIP Warehouse Loan. Balances included in AOCL at the date the hedges were terminated are being amortized over the expected life of the new debt with $5.2 million of additional interest expense expected to be recognized during the twelve months following September 30, 2013. Also in July 2011, TRIP Holdings’ wholly-owned subsidiary, TRIP Master Funding, entered into an interest rate swap derivative instrument, expiring in 2021, with an initial notional amount of $94.1 million to reduce the effect of changes in variable interest rates associated with the Class A-1b notes of the TRIP Master Funding secured railcar equipment notes. The effect on interest expense is primarily a result of monthly interest settlements.
	See Note 11 Debt regarding the related debt instruments.
	Other Derivatives
		Effect on operating income - increase/(decrease)
		Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
		September 30,							September 30,
		2013			2012				2013				2012
		(in millions)
	Fuel hedges(1)
	Effect of mark-to-market valuation	$	—		$	0.6			$	—			$	0.6
	Settlements	(0.1		)	—				—				—
		$	(0.1	)	$	0.6			$	—			$	0.6
	Foreign exchange hedges(2)	$	—		$	—			$	—			$	(0.4	)
	(1)	Included in cost of revenues in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations
	(2)	Included in other, net in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations
	Natural gas and diesel fuel
	We maintain a program to mitigate the impact of fluctuations in the price of natural gas and diesel fuel purchases. The intent of the program is to protect our operating profit from adverse price changes by entering into derivative instruments. For those instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, any changes in their valuation are recorded directly to the consolidated statement of operations. The amount recorded in the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2013 for these instruments was not significant.
	Foreign exchange hedge
	We enter into foreign exchange hedges to mitigate the impact on operating profit of unfavorable fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. These instruments are short term with quarterly maturities and no remaining balance in AOCL as of September 30, 2013.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant, and Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant, and Equipment	'
	Property, Plant, and Equipment
	The following table summarizes the components of property, plant, and equipment as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
		(in millions)
	Manufacturing/Corporate:
	Land	$	42.5		$	37.7
	Buildings and improvements	453			431
	Machinery and other	842.5			745.3
	Construction in progress	57.3			46.1
		1,395.30			1,260.10
	Less accumulated depreciation	(766.3		)	(720.8		)
		629			539.3
	Leasing:
	Wholly-owned subsidiaries:
	Machinery and other	10.1			9.6
	Equipment on lease	3,490.70			3,231.90
		3,500.80			3,241.50
	Less accumulated depreciation	(536.2		)	(468.4		)
		2,964.60			2,773.10
	Partially-owned subsidiaries:
	Equipment on lease	1,945.70			1,703.10
	Less accumulated depreciation	(189.4		)	(153.8		)
		1,756.30			1,549.30
	Net deferred profit on railcars sold to the Leasing Group	(648.6		)	(562.7		)
		$	4,701.30		$	4,299.00
	Certain prior year balances with respect to RIV 2013 have been reclassified as pertaining to a partially-owned subsidiary to conform to the 2013 presentation. See Note 5 Partially-Owned Leasing Subsidiaries.

Goodwill

Goodwill	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill	'
	Goodwill
	Goodwill by segment is as follows:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
				(as reported)
		(in millions)
	Rail Group	$	122.5	$	122.5
	Construction Products Group	112.4		105.2
	Energy Equipment Group	14.1		10.9
	Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	1.8		1.8
		$	250.8	$	240.4
	The net increase in the Construction Products Group and the Energy Equipment Group goodwill as of September 30, 2013 is primarily due to acquisition and divestiture activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. See Note 2 Acquisitions and Divestitures.

Warranties

Warranties	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Warranties	'
	Warranties
	The changes in the accruals for warranties for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(in millions)
	Beginning balance	$	13.5		$	13.8		$	12.5		$	13.5
	Warranty costs incurred	(1.6		)	(1.1		)	(4.6		)	(5.0		)
	Warranty originations and revisions	3.9			2.6			9.9			7.8
	Warranty expirations	(1.0		)	(0.6		)	(3.0		)	(1.6		)
	Ending balance	$	14.8		$	14.7		$	14.8		$	14.7

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	Debt
	The following table summarizes the components of debt as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
		(in millions)
	Manufacturing/Corporate – Recourse:
	Revolving credit facility	$	—		$	—
	Convertible subordinated notes	450			450
	Less: unamortized discount	(77.6		)	(87.5		)
		372.4			362.5
	Other	0.9			1.2
		373.3			363.7
	Leasing – Recourse:
	Capital lease obligations	42.9			45.8
	Term loan	—			48.6
		42.9			94.4
	Total recourse debt	416.2			458.1
	Leasing – Non-recourse:
	Wholly-owned subsidiaries:
	2006 secured railcar equipment notes	244.7			255.8
	Promissory notes	403.5			424.1
	2009 secured railcar equipment notes	201.6			209.2
	2010 secured railcar equipment notes	330.4			341.5
	TILC warehouse facility	152			173.6
		1,332.20			1,404.20
	Partially-owned subsidiaries:
	TRL 2012 secured railcar equipment notes - RIV 2013	505.6			333.8
	TRIP Master Funding secured railcar equipment notes	767.1			797.7
	TRIP Holdings senior secured notes:
	Total outstanding	—			170
	Less: owned by Trinity	—			(108.8		)
		—			61.2
		1,272.70			1,192.70
	Total non–recourse debt	2,604.90			2,596.90
	Total debt	$	3,021.10		$	3,055.00
	We have a $425.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility that matures on October 20, 2016. As of September 30, 2013, we had letters of credit issued under our revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $72.6 million, leaving $352.4 million available for borrowing. Other than these letters of credit, there were no borrowings under our revolving credit facility as of September 30, 2013, or for the nine month period then ended. Of the outstanding letters of credit as of September 30, 2013, a total of $1.5 million is expected to expire in 2013 and the remainder in 2014. The majority of our letters of credit obligations support the Company’s various insurance programs and generally renew each year. Trinity’s revolving credit facility requires the maintenance of ratios related to minimum interest coverage for the leasing and manufacturing operations and maximum leverage. Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest at Libor plus 1.50% or prime plus 0.50%. As of September 30, 2013, we were in compliance with all such financial covenants.
	The Company's 3 7/8% convertible subordinated notes are recorded net of unamortized discount to reflect their underlying economics by capturing the value of the conversion option as borrowing costs. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, capital in excess of par value included $92.8 million related to the estimated value of the Convertible Subordinated Notes’ conversion options, in accordance with ASC 470-20. Debt discount recorded in the consolidated balance sheet is being amortized through June 1, 2018 to yield an effective annual interest rate of 8.42% based upon the estimated market interest rate for comparable non-convertible debt as of the issuance date of the Convertible Subordinated Notes. Total interest expense recognized on the Convertible Subordinated Notes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
		(in millions)
	Coupon rate interest	$	4.4		$	4.4		$	13.1	$	13.1
	Amortized debt discount	3.4			3.1			9.9		9.1
		$	7.8		$	7.5		$	23	$	22.2
	At September 30, 2013, the Convertible Subordinated Notes were convertible at a price of $50.88 per share resulting in 8,844,340 issuable shares. As of September 30, 2013, if the Convertible Subordinated Notes had been converted, no shares would have been issued since the trading price of the Company’s common stock was below the conversion price of the Convertible Subordinated Notes. The Company has not entered into any derivatives transactions associated with these notes.
	The $475.0 million TILC warehouse loan facility, established to finance railcars owned by TILC, had $152.0 million outstanding and $323.0 million available as of September 30, 2013. The warehouse loan is a non-recourse obligation secured by a portfolio of railcars and operating leases, certain cash reserves, and other assets acquired and owned by the warehouse loan facility. The principal and interest of this indebtedness are paid from the cash flows of the underlying leases. Advances under the facility bear interest at a defined index rate plus a margin, for an all-in interest rate of 1.94% at September 30, 2013. In June 2013, the warehouse loan facility was renewed and extended through June 2015. Amounts outstanding at maturity, absent renewal, will be payable in three installments in December 2015, June 2016, and December 2016.
	The Company's term loan agreement was repaid in full in March 2013.
	The TRIP Holdings senior secured notes were repaid in full in May 2013. See Note 5 Partially-Owned Leasing Subsidiaries for further explanation.
	On August 1, 2013, TRL 2012 issued $183.4 million in aggregate principal amount of Series 2013-1 Secured Railcar Equipment Notes pursuant to the Master Indenture between TRL 2012 and Wilmington Trust Company, as indenture trustee, with regard to the 2012 secured railcar equipment notes. The 2013-1 Secured Railcar Equipment Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 3.9%, are payable monthly, and have a stated final maturity date of July 15, 2043. The 2013-1 Secured Railcar Equipment Notes are obligations of TRL 2012 and are non-recourse to Trinity. The obligations are secured by a portfolio of railcars and operating leases thereon, certain cash reserves, and other assets acquired and owned by TRL 2012.
	Terms and conditions of other debt, including recourse and non-recourse provisions, are described in Note 11 of the December 31, 2012 Consolidated Financial Statements filed on Form 10-K.
	The remaining principal payments under existing debt agreements as of September 30, 2013 are as follows:
		Remaining three months of 2013			2014			2015		2016		2017		Thereafter
		(in millions)
	Recourse:
	Manufacturing/Corporate	$	—		$	0.2		$	0.2	$	0.2	$	0.3	$	450
	Leasing – capital lease obligations (Note 6)	0.7			3.1			3.3		3.5		3.7		28.6
	Non-recourse – leasing (Note 6):
	2006 secured railcar equipment notes	4			16.9			18.6		21.9		24.1		159.2
	Promissory notes	7.3			26.1			23.9		346.2		—		—
	2009 secured railcar equipment notes	2.6			9.9			9.6		6.5		6.3		166.7
	2010 secured railcar equipment notes	3.5			14			15.3		15		13.7		268.9
	TILC warehouse facility - facility termination payments	—			—			50.7		101.3		—		—
	TRL 2012 secured railcar equipment notes -	6.3			25			23.5		22.6		23.1		405.1
RIV 2013
TRIP Master Funding secured railcar equipment notes	10.3			40.1			35.7		29.3		20.4		631.3
Total principal payments	$	34.7		$	135.3		$	180.8	$	546.5	$	91.6	$	2,109.80

Other_Net

Other, Net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
Other, Net	'
	Other, Net
	Other, net (income) expense consists of the following items:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(in millions)
	Foreign currency exchange transactions	$	(0.1	)	$	(0.4	)	$	0.4		$	(1.8	)
	Gain on equity investments	—			(0.2		)	(0.2		)	(0.3		)
	Other	(0.4		)	(0.9		)	(2.5		)	(2.4		)
	Other, net	$	(0.5	)	$	(1.5	)	$	(2.3	)	$	(4.5	)
	Other for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 includes $1.7 million in income related to the change in fair value of certain equity repurchase agreements with an investor in TRIP Holdings. See Note 3 Fair Value Accounting and Note 5 Partially-Owned Leasing Subsidiaries.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The provision for income taxes results in effective tax rates that differ from the statutory rates. The following is a reconciliation between the statutory U.S. Federal income tax rate and the Company’s effective income tax rate on income from continuing operations:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Statutory rate	35	%		35	%		35	%	35	%
	State taxes	2.5			2			2.3		2
	Domestic production activities deduction	(2.7	)		—			(1.6	)	—
	Noncontrolling interest	(1.0	)		—			(0.9	)	—
	Tax assessments and settlements	—			—			—		(0.8	)
	Changes in valuation allowance and reserves	(3.0	)		(1.6	)		(1.2	)	(0.6	)
	Foreign tax adjustments	—			(1.0	)		—		(0.6	)
	State adjustments	3.2			—			1.2		—
	Other, net	0.2			(0.3	)		0.1		(0.1	)
	Effective rate	34.2	%		34.1	%		34.9	%	34.9	%
	Our effective tax rate reflects a current tax benefit available for U.S. manufacturing activity. In May 2013, TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013 elected to be treated as partnerships for income tax purposes and consequently no income tax expense has been provided with respect to income earned after this election attributable to the noncontrolling interests. See Note 5 Partially-Owned Leasing Subsidiaries for a further explanation of activities with respect to TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013.
	The Company assesses available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to utilize the existing deferred tax assets. During the third quarter of 2013 and after the filing of its 2012 Federal income tax return, the Company determined that, based on the positive evidence, we expect to utilize foreign tax credits that were previously reserved and due to expire in 2014-2016 on its 2013 Federal income tax return. Accordingly, the valuation allowance that was recorded in the second quarter of 2009 for this item has been reversed. The positive evidence included the utilization of net operating losses, projected taxable income in 2013 based upon our backlog, and sufficient foreign sourced income.
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, we recognized a tax benefit of $1.5 million and $1.8 million, respectively, due to the release of net tax reserves primarily as a result of certain state tax issues where the statute of limitations had lapsed.
	Also, during the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company completed a review of its state tax filing positions based upon our current operational footprint. As a result of this review, we recorded a charge of $5.1 million in order to adjust our overall net deferred tax liability based upon our current state tax filing responsibilities. We also adjusted our state tax rate for 2013 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 as a result of this review.
	The IRS field work for our 2006-2008 audit cycle has concluded and all issues, except for transfer pricing, have been agreed upon and tentatively settled. The transfer pricing issue has been appealed and we are working with both the U.S. and Mexican taxing authorities to coordinate taxation in a formal mutual agreement process (“MAP”). On September 30, 2013, we received the revenue agent report for the 2009-2011 audit cycle. All issues have been concluded and agreed to except for transfer pricing issues. These issues have been appealed and we have requested they be addressed in the same MAP of the 2006-2008 cycle. At this time, we cannot determine when the 2006-2008 cycle or the 2009-2011 cycles will close and all issues formally settled.
	We have various subsidiaries in Mexico that file separate tax returns and are subject to examination by taxing authorities at different times. The 2007 tax year of one of our Mexican subsidiaries is still under review and its statute of limitations remains open through the later of the resolution of the MAP or August 2017. The remaining entities are generally open for their 2008 tax years and forward.
	Our two Swiss subsidiaries, one of which is a holding company and the other of which is dormant, have been audited by the taxing authorities through 2008 and 2009. The statute of limitations in Switzerland is generally five years from the end of the tax year, but can be extended up to 15 years in certain cases if the audit has commenced during the original five-year period. We also currently have sales offices in Europe and Canada that are subject to various statutes of limitations with regard to their tax status. Generally, states’ statutes of limitations in the U.S. are open from 2003 forward due to the use of tax loss carryforwards in certain jurisdictions.
	The change in unrecognized tax benefits for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2013				2012
		(in millions)
	Beginning balance	$	48.7			$	52.5
	Additions for tax positions related to the current year	3.4				3.1
	Additions for tax positions of prior years	1.9				—
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years	—				(1.1		)
	Settlements	(0.1		)		(3.4		)
	Expiration of statute of limitations	(0.1		)		(0.8		)
	Ending balance	$	53.8			$	50.3
	Additions for tax positions related to the current year in the amounts of $3.4 million and $3.1 million recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, were amounts provided for tax positions that will be taken for Federal and state income tax purposes when we file those tax returns.
	Additions for tax positions related to prior years in the amount of $1.9 million recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, were for Federal tax positions taken on the prior year tax returns which the IRS has identified in the current period.
	The reduction in tax positions of prior years of $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, was primarily related to new guidance issued in March 2012 by the IRS regarding the capitalization of fixed assets as well as state taxes.
	Settlements during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 relate to settled positions with the Mexican taxing authorities in the settlement of the 2003 exam while settlements during nine months ended September 30, 2012 primarily related to the settlement of our 2004-2005 IRS audit as well as the related impact on state tax returns.
	The expiration of statute of limitations relates to state taxes where the statute has closed.
	The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits including interest and penalties at September 30, 2013 and 2012, that would affect the Company’s overall effective tax rate if recognized was $13.9 million and $15.9 million, respectively. There is a reasonable possibility that unrecognized Federal and state tax benefits will decrease by $4.5 million by September 30, 2014 due to settlements and lapses in statutes of limitations for assessing tax. During the first quarter of 2013, we entered into an agreement with the IRS to extend the statute of limitations to assess tax on our December 31, 2006-2008 tax years. Thus, items that were previously expected to settle during the year ended December 31, 2013 are now expected to settle during the year ended December 31, 2014.
	Trinity accounts for interest expense and penalties related to income tax issues as income tax expense. Accordingly, interest expense and penalties associated with an uncertain tax position are included in the income tax provision. The total amount of accrued interest and penalties as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was $11.0 million and $10.3 million, respectively. Income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, included an increase in income tax expense of $0.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively, in interest expense and penalties related to uncertain tax positions. Income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, included a decrease of $1.3 million and $2.1 million, respectively, in interest expense and penalties related to uncertain tax positions.

Employee_Retirement_Plans

Employee Retirement Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Employee Retirement Plans	'
	Employee Retirement Plans
	The following table summarizes the components of net retirement cost for the Company:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(in millions)
	Expense Components
	Service cost	$	0.3		$	0.2		$	0.8		$	0.6
	Interest	4.6			4.9			13.9			14.6
	Expected return on plan assets	(6.6		)	(5.7		)	(19.9		)	(17.1		)
	Amortization of actuarial loss	1.2			0.7			3.7			2.5
	Prior service cost	—			0.1			—			0.1
	Defined benefit expense	(0.5		)	0.2			(1.5		)	0.7
	Profit sharing	3.1			3.1			9.5			8.9
	Net expense	$	2.6		$	3.3		$	8		$	9.6
	Trinity contributed $6.7 million and $14.8 million to the Company's defined benefit pension plans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. Trinity contributed $3.6 million and $13.8 million to the Company's defined benefit pension plans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. Total contributions to the Company's defined benefit pension plans in 2013 are expected to be approximately $18.9 million.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 are as follows, net of tax:
		Currency translation adjustments			Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments			Net actuarial gains/(losses) of defined benefit plans			Accumulated
											Other
											Comprehensive
											Loss
		(in millions)
	Balances at December 31, 2012	$	(16.5	)	$	(34.8	)	$	(98.8	)	$	(150.1	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			0.4			—			0.4
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax benefit of $-, $6.8, $1.4, and $8.2	—			13.7			2.3			16
	Less: noncontrolling interest	—			(3.2		)	—			(3.2		)
	Other comprehensive income	—			10.9			2.3			13.2
	Sale of interests in partially-owned leasing subsidiaries	—			13.2			—			13.2
	Repurchase of interests in partially-owned leasing subsidiary	—			(11.8		)	—			(11.8		)
	Balances at September 30, 2013	$	(16.5	)	$	(22.5	)	$	(96.5	)	$	(135.5	)
	See Note 7 Derivative Instruments for information on the reclassification of amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings. Reclassifications of unrealized before-tax losses on derivative financial instruments are included in interest expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Approximately $3.0 million of the before-tax reclassification of net actuarial gains/(losses) of defined benefit plans are included in cost of revenues with the remainder included in selling, engineering, and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	Stock-based compensation totaled approximately $12.2 million and $31.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. Stock-based compensation totaled approximately $7.9 million and $20.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.

Earnings_Per_Common_Share

Earnings Per Common Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Common Share	'
	Earnings Per Common Share
	Basic net income attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc. per common share is computed by dividing net income attributable to Trinity remaining after allocation to unvested restricted shares by the weighted average number of basic unrestricted common shares outstanding for the period. Except when the effect would be antidilutive, the calculation of diluted net income attributable to Trinity per common share includes the net impact of unvested restricted shares and shares that could be issued under outstanding stock options. Total weighted average restricted shares and antidilutive stock options were 3.7 million shares and 3.5 million shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. Total weighted average restricted shares and antidilutive stock options were 3.3 million shares and 3.2 million shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.
	The computation of basic and diluted net income attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc. follows. Amounts previously reported have been adjusted to reflect discontinued operations resulting from the sale of the Company's ready-mix concrete operations. See Note 2 Acquisitions and Divestitures.
		Three Months Ended						Three Months Ended
		30-Sep-13						30-Sep-12
		Income			Average	EPS		Income			Average	EPS
		(Loss)			Shares			(Loss)			Shares
		(in millions, except per share amounts)
	Net income from continuing operations	$	105.8					$	62.4
	Less: net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interest	6.5						(0.1		)
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc.	99.3						62.5
	Unvested restricted share participation	(3.3		)				(2.0		)
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc. – basic	96			76.1	$	1.26	60.5			76.5	$	0.79
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options	—			0.1			—			0.2
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc. – diluted	$	96		76.2	$	1.26	$	60.5		76.7	$	0.79
	Net income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	0.3					$	0.7
	Unvested restricted share participation	—						—
	Net income from discontinued operations, net of taxes – basic	0.3			76.1	$	—	0.7			76.5	$	0.01
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options	—			0.1			—			0.2
	Net income from discontinued operations, net of taxes – diluted	$	0.3		76.2	$	—	$	0.7		76.7	$	0.01
		Nine Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep-13						30-Sep-12
		Income			Average	EPS		Income			Average	EPS
		(Loss)			Shares			(Loss)			Shares
		(in millions, except per share amounts)
	Net income from continuing operations	$	267.2					$	180.9
	Less: net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interest	10.4						(1.0		)
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc.	256.8						181.9
	Unvested restricted share participation	(8.2		)				(6.0		)
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc. – basic	248.6			76.7	$	3.24	175.9			77.3	$	2.28
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options	—			0.1			—			0.2
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc. – diluted	$	248.6		76.8	$	3.24	$	175.9		77.5	$	2.27
	Net income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	5.9					$	2
	Unvested restricted share participation	(0.2		)				(0.1		)
	Net income from discontinued operations, net of taxes – basic	5.7			76.7	$	0.07	1.9			77.3	$	0.02
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options	—			0.1			—			0.2
	Net income from discontinued operations, net of taxes – diluted	$	5.7		76.8	$	0.07	$	1.9		77.5	$	0.02

Contingencies

Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Contingencies	'
	Contingencies
	Highway Products Litigation
	As previously reported, on January 28, 2013, the Company was advised that the United States filed a “Notice of Election to Decline Intervention” in a False Claims Act (Qui Tam) complaint filed under seal on March 6, 2012 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division styled JOSHUA HARMAN, on behalf of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PLAINTIFF/Relator (“Mr. Harman”) v. TRINITY INDUSTRIES, INC., DEFENDANT, Case 2:12-cv-00089-JRG. Although the Company did not receive service of process with respect to the Original Complaint, the Company was served with Mr. Harman's Amended Complaint on May 17, 2013. Mr. Harman alleges that the Company presented false or fraudulent claims, records or statements to the United States to obtain payment or approval, ostensibly related to the ET-Plus, and seeks damages equaling the cost to recall and replace all installations of the ET-Plus plus treble civil penalties, costs, and interest. The Company notes that since its introduction in 2000, including all improvement modifications thereafter, the ET-Plus has satisfied the testing criteria required by the governing National Cooperative Highway Research Program Report 350 and the product approval requirements of the Federal Highway Administration. The Company intends to vigorously defend against Mr. Harman's allegations which will likely result in certain legal expenses. We do not believe that a loss is probable nor can a range of losses be determined. Accordingly, no accrual or range of loss has been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
	Railworthiness Directive
	As previously reported, in 2011 the Company received the approval of the Federal Railroad Administration to implement a voluntary recertification of 948 tank cars owned or managed by the Company’s wholly-owned, railcar leasing subsidiary and used in transporting poison inhalation hazard (“PIH”) materials. The recertification process, having been completed for over 75% of the tank cars as of September 30, 2013, is progressing and being performed in conjunction with the normal three to five year, federally mandated inspection cycle for tank cars in PIH service. Maintenance costs associated with this recertification process are expensed as incurred. The additional costs estimated to be incurred for compliance with the directive are not expected to be significant.
	Other Matters
	As previously reported, Trinity Structural Towers, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is in litigation with a structural wind towers customer for the customer’s breach of a long-term supply contract for the manufacture of towers. While the customer partially performed the contract, it ultimately defaulted on its purchase obligation and did not remedy such default following written notice.
	The Company is involved in claims and lawsuits incidental to our business arising from various matters including product warranty, personal injury, environmental issues, workplace laws, and various governmental regulations. The Company evaluates its exposure to such claims and suits periodically and establishes accruals for these contingencies when a range of loss can be reasonably estimated. The range of reasonably possible losses for such matters, taking into consideration our rights in indemnity and recourse to third parties is $8.0 million to $33.3 million. Total accruals of $19.7 million, including environmental and workplace matters described below, are included in accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The Company believes any additional liability would not be material to its financial position or results of operations.
	Trinity is subject to remedial orders and Federal, state, local, and foreign laws and regulations relating to the environment and the workplace. The Company has reserved $10.0 million to cover our probable and estimable liabilities with respect to the investigations, assessments, and remedial responses to such matters, taking into account currently available information and our contractual rights to indemnification and recourse to third parties. However, estimates of liability arising from future proceedings, assessments, or remediation are inherently imprecise. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will not become involved in future litigation or other proceedings involving the environment and the workplace or, if we are found to be responsible or liable in any such litigation or proceeding, that such costs would not be material to the Company. We believe that we are currently in substantial compliance with environmental and workplace laws and regulations.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The foregoing consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared from the books and records of Trinity Industries, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (“Trinity”, “Company”, “we”, or “our”) including the accounts of its wholly-owned subsidiaries and its partially-owned subsidiaries, TRIP Rail Holdings LLC (“TRIP Holdings”) and RIV 2013 Rail Holdings LLC ("RIV 2013"), in which the Company has controlling interest. In our opinion, all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2013, and the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, have been made in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Certain amounts previously reported have been adjusted in the accompanying consolidated financial statements to remove the effects of discontinued operations. See Note 2 Acquisitions and Divestitures. Because of seasonal and other factors, the results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 may not be indicative of expected results of operations for the year ending December 31, 2013. These interim financial statements and notes are condensed as permitted by the instructions to Form 10-Q and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company included in its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Stockholders' Equity	'
	Stockholders' Equity
	In September 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $200 million share repurchase program, effective October 1, 2012, which expires on December 31, 2014. Under the program, 539,941 shares and 1,834,189 shares, respectively, were repurchased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 at a cost of approximately $23.9 million and $73.8 million, respectively. Certain shares of stock repurchased during September 2013, totaling $2.7 million, were cash settled in October 2013 in accordance with normal settlement practices. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company repurchased 141,992 shares and 1,834,221 shares, respectively, under the prior program at a cost of approximately $4.0 million and $45.2 million, respectively.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	Revenues for contracts providing for a large number of units and few deliveries are recorded as the individual units are produced, inspected, and accepted by the customer as the risk of loss passes to the customer upon pre-delivery acceptance on these contracts. This occurs primarily in the Rail and Inland Barge Groups. Revenue from rentals and operating leases, including contracts which contain non-level fixed rental payments, is recognized monthly on a straight-line basis. Revenue is recognized from the sales of railcars from the lease fleet on a gross basis in leasing revenues and cost of revenues if the railcar has been owned for one year or less at the time of sale. Sales of railcars from the lease fleet that have been owned for more than one year are recognized as a net gain or loss from the disposal of a long-term asset. Fees for shipping and handling are recorded as revenue. For all other products, we recognize revenue when products are shipped or services are provided.
Financial Instruments	'
	Financial Instruments
	The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments to be either cash and cash equivalents if purchased with a maturity of three months or less, or short-term marketable securities if purchased with a maturity of more than three months and less than one year. The Company intends to hold its short-term marketable securities until they are redeemed at their maturity date and believes that under the "more likely than not" criteria, the Company will not be required to sell the securities before recovery of their amortized cost bases, which may be maturity.
	Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk are primarily cash investments including restricted cash, short-term marketable securities, and receivables. The Company places its cash investments and short-term marketable securities in bank deposits and investment grade, short-term debt instruments and limits the amount of credit exposure to any one commercial issuer. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables are limited due to control procedures that monitor the credit worthiness of customers, the large number of customers in the Company's customer base, and their dispersion across different industries and geographic areas. As receivables are generally unsecured, the Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon the expected collectability of all receivables. Receivable balances determined to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance. The carrying values of cash, short-term marketable securities, receivables, and accounts payable are considered to be representative of their respective fair values. At September 30, 2013, one customer's net receivable balance in our Energy Equipment Group, all within terms, accounted for 14% of the consolidated net receivables balance outstanding.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-02, "Reporting of Amounts Reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income," ("ASU 2013-02") 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. ASU 2013-02 became effective for public companies during interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012 with early adoption permitted. Accordingly, the Company adopted this new standard on January 1, 2013. The adoption of ASU 2013-02 did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Reclassifications	'
	Reclassifications
	Certain prior year balances have been reclassified in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, Consolidated Balance Sheets, and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows to conform to the 2013 presentation.

Acquisitions_and_Divestitures_

Acquisitions and Divestitures (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisition and divestiture activity	'
	The Company's acquisition and divestiture activity is summarized below:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013			2012
		(in millions)
	Acquisition:
	Purchase price	$	—	$	5.5	$	83.4		$	7.5
	Net cash paid	$	—	$	4.9	$	37.2		$	4.9
	Goodwill recorded	$	—	$	3.2	$	9.5		$	4
	Divestiture:
	Proceeds	$	—	$	—	$	35.6		$	2.1
	Gain recognized	$	—	$	—	$	12.5		$	1.5
	Goodwill charged off	$	—	$	—	$	4.8		$	0.1
Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale and discontinued operations and condensed results of operations for the ready-mix concrete operations	'
	Further, assets and liabilities related to the discontinued operations have been classified as Assets/Liabilities Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as follows:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(in millions)
	Assets of Ready-Mix Concrete Operations:
	Inventories	$	—	$	4.5
	Property, plant, and equipment, net	—		16.9
	Goodwill	—		6.3
	Other	—		0.2
		$	—	$	27.9
	Liabilities of Ready-Mix Concrete Operations:
	Debt	$	—	$	3.7
		$	—	$	3.7
	Condensed results of operations for the ready-mix concrete operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013			2012
		(in millions)
	Revenues	$	—	$	30.2	$	31.6		$	92.2
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes	$	0.4	$	1.1	$	(1.9	)	$	3.3
	Income tax expense (benefit)	0.1		0.4		(0.7		)	1.2
	Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	0.3	$	0.7	$	(1.2	)	$	2.1

Fair_Value_Accounting_Tables

Fair Value Accounting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on recurring basis	'
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
		Fair Value Measurement as of September 30, 2013
		(in millions)
		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3			Total
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	160.3		$	—	$	—		$	160.3
	Restricted cash	249.3			—		—			249.3
	Total assets	$	409.6		$	—	$	—		$	409.6
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate hedges:(1)
	Wholly-owned subsidiaries	$	—		$	25.5	$	—		$	25.5
	Partially-owned subsidiaries	—			2.8		—			2.8
	Total liabilities	$	—		$	28.3	$	—		$	28.3
		Fair Value Measurement as of December 31, 2012
		(in millions)
		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3			Total
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	246.6		$	155	$	—		$	401.6
	Restricted cash	223.2			—		—			223.2
	Equity call agreement with TRIP Holdings equity investor(2)	—			—		0.8			0.8
	Fuel derivative instruments(2)	—			0.1		—			0.1
	Total assets	$	469.8		$	155.1	$	0.8		$	625.7
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate hedges:(1)
	Wholly-owned subsidiaries	$	—		$	37.6	$	—		$	37.6
	Partially-owned subsidiaries	—			5.2		—			5.2
	Equity put agreement with TRIP Holdings equity investor(3)	—			—		2.9			2.9
	Total liabilities	$	—		$	42.8	$	2.9		$	45.7
	(1) Included in accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
	(2) Included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
	(3) Included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'
	The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our long-term debt are as follows:
		30-Sep-13					31-Dec-12
		Carrying			Estimated		Carrying			Estimated
		Value			Fair Value		Value			Fair Value
		(in millions)
	Recourse:
	Convertible subordinated notes	$	450		$	550.7	$	450		$	506.6
	Less: unamortized discount	(77.6		)			(87.5		)
		372.4					362.5
	Capital lease obligations	42.9			42.9		45.8			45.8
	Term loan	—			—		48.6			53.3
	Other	0.9			0.9		1.2			1.2
		416.2			594.5		458.1			606.9
	Non-recourse:
	2006 secured railcar equipment notes	244.7			265		255.8			292
	Promissory notes	403.5			396.2		424.1			414.6
	2009 secured railcar equipment notes	201.6			234.1		209.2			260.4
	2010 secured railcar equipment notes	330.4			348.7		341.5			387.2
	TILC warehouse facility	152			152		173.6			173.6
	TRL 2012 secured railcar equipment notes - RIV 2013	505.6			470.5		333.8			321.7
	TRIP Holdings senior secured notes	—			—		61.2			62.5
	TRIP Master Funding secured railcar equipment notes	767.1			830.7		797.7			952
		2,604.90			2,697.20		2,596.90			2,864.00
	Total	$	3,021.10		$	3,291.70	$	3,055.00		$	3,470.90

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Financial information from continuing operations for segments	'
	The financial information from continuing operations for these segments is shown in the tables below. We operate principally in North America.
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Revenues								Operating Profit (Loss)
		External		Intersegment			Total
		(in millions)
	Rail Group	$	541.5	$	177		$	718.5		$	121.5
	Construction Products Group	145.8		3.4			149.2			18.6
	Inland Barge Group	136.4		—			136.4			23.8
	Energy Equipment Group	135		34.7			169.7			15
	Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	150.6		—			150.6			74
	All Other	1		21			22			(1.6		)
	Segment Totals before Eliminations and Corporate Expenses	1,110.30		236.1			1,346.40			251.3
	Corporate	—		—			—			(17.8		)
	Eliminations – Lease subsidiary	—		(173.0		)	(173.0		)	(28.3		)
	Eliminations – Other	—		(63.1		)	(63.1		)	0.4
	Consolidated Total	$	1,110.30	$	—		$	1,110.30		$	205.6
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
		Revenues								Operating Profit (Loss)
		External		Intersegment			Total
		(in millions)
	Rail Group	$	328.3	$	129.6		$	457.9		$	35.2
	Construction Products Group	118		6.1			124.1			11.5
	Inland Barge Group	166.5		—			166.5			26.9
	Energy Equipment Group	131		4.6			135.6			9.5
	Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	159.3		0.6			159.9			85.1
	All Other	4.2		20.4			24.6			(2.0		)
	Segment Totals before Eliminations and Corporate Expenses	907.3		161.3			1,068.60			166.2
	Corporate	—		—			—			(12.4		)
	Eliminations – Lease subsidiary	—		(125.9		)	(125.9		)	(14.1		)
	Eliminations – Other	—		(35.4		)	(35.4		)	1
	Consolidated Total	$	907.3	$	—		$	907.3		$	140.7
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Revenues								Operating Profit (Loss)
		External		Intersegment			Total
		(in millions)
	Rail Group	$	1,439.20	$	572.8		$	2,012.00		$	332.3
	Construction Products Group	393.1		14.4			407.5			45.3
	Inland Barge Group	433.8		—			433.8			69
	Energy Equipment Group	384.9		92			476.9			44.2
	Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	454.6		—			454.6			211.3
	All Other	3.7		59.3			63			(8.0		)
	Segment Totals before Eliminations and Corporate Expenses	3,109.30		738.5			3,847.80			694.1
	Corporate	—		—			—			(49.9		)
	Eliminations – Lease subsidiary	—		(560.5		)	(560.5		)	(95.4		)
	Eliminations – Other	—		(178.0		)	(178.0		)	(0.3		)
	Consolidated Total	$	3,109.30	$	—		$	3,109.30		$	548.5
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
		Revenues								Operating Profit (Loss)
		External		Intersegment			Total
		(in millions)
	Rail Group	$	1,049.70	$	392.2		$	1,441.90		$	128.3
	Construction Products Group	357.2		16.7			373.9			35.4
	Inland Barge Group	509.8		—			509.8			93.5
	Energy Equipment Group	377.7		13.6			391.3			9.7
	Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	493.7		2.7			496.4			228
	All Other	10.9		50.2			61.1			(7.1		)
	Segment Totals before Eliminations and Corporate Expenses	2,799.00		475.4			3,274.40			487.8
	Corporate	—		—			—			(33.6		)
	Eliminations – Lease subsidiary	—		(380.8		)	(380.8		)	(37.2		)
	Eliminations – Other	—		(94.6		)	(94.6		)	(1.1		)
	Consolidated Total	$	2,799.00	$	—		$	2,799.00		$	415.9

Railcar_Leasing_and_Management1

Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Future Contractual Minimum Rental Revenues on Leases [Line Items]	'
Selected consolidating financial information for the Leasing Group	'
	Selected consolidating financial information for the Leasing Group is as follows:
		30-Sep-13
		Leasing Group
		Wholly-			Partially-Owned Subsidiaries			Manufacturing/				Total
		Owned						Corporate
		Subsidiaries
		(in millions)
	Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term marketable securities	$	2.5		$	—		$	496.1			$	498.6
	Property, plant, and equipment, net	$	2,964.60		$	1,756.30		$	629			$	5,349.90
	Net deferred profit on railcars sold to											(648.6		)
	the Leasing Group
	Consolidated property, plant and equipment, net											$	4,701.30
	Restricted cash	$	170.5		$	78.8		$	—			$	249.3
	Debt:
	Recourse	$	42.9		$	—		$	450.9			$	493.8
	Less: unamortized discount	—			—			(77.6		)		(77.6		)
		42.9			—			373.3				416.2
	Non-recourse	1,332.20			1,272.70			—				2,604.90
	Total debt	$	1,375.10		$	1,272.70		$	373.3			$	3,021.10
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	693.2		$	—		$	(124.9	)		$	568.3
		31-Dec-12
		Leasing Group
		Wholly-			Partially-Owned Subsidiaries			Manufacturing/				Total
		Owned						Corporate
		Subsidiaries
		(in millions)
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	5.7		$	—		$	567.3			$	573
	Property, plant, and equipment, net	$	2,773.10		$	1,549.30		$	539.3			$	4,861.70
	Net deferred profit on railcars sold to											(562.7		)
	the Leasing Group
	Consolidated property, plant and equipment, net											$	4,299.00
	Restricted cash	$	165.4		$	57.8		$	—			$	223.2
	Debt:
	Recourse	$	94.4		$	—		$	451.2			$	545.6
	Less: unamortized discount	—			—			(87.5		)		(87.5		)
		94.4			—			363.7				458.1
	Non-recourse	1,404.20			1,301.50			—				2,705.70
	Less: non-recourse debt owned by Trinity	—			(108.8		)	—				(108.8		)
	Total debt	$	1,498.60		$	1,192.70		$	363.7			$	3,055.00
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	671.1		$	5.4		$	(120.7	)		$	555.8
	See Note 5 Partially-Owned Leasing Subsidiaries and Note 11 Debt for a further discussion regarding the Company’s investment in its partially-owned leasing subsidiaries and the related indebtedness. Certain prior year balances with respect to RIV 2013 have been reclassified as pertaining to a partially-owned subsidiary to conform to the 2013 presentation. See Note 5 Partially-Owned Leasing Subsidiaries.
Selected consolidating income statement information for the Leasing Group	'
		Three Months Ended September 30,									Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			Percent			2013				2012				Percent
		($ in millions)						Change			($ in millions)								Change
	Revenues:
	Leasing and management	$	150.6		$	136.5		10.3	%		$	435.6			$	395.9			10	%
	Sales of railcars owned one year or less at the time of sale	—			23.4			*			19				100.5				*
	Total revenues	$	150.6		$	159.9		(5.8	)		$	454.6			$	496.4			(8.4	)
	Operating profit:
	Leasing and management	$	72.4		$	63.8		13.5			$	198.2			$	185			7.1
	Railcar sales:
	Railcars owned one year or less at the time of sale	—			4.3						3.5				20.7
	Railcars owned more than one year at the time of sale	1.6			17						9.6				22.3
	Total operating profit	$	74		$	85.1		(13.0	)		$	211.3			$	228			(7.3	)
	Operating profit margin:
	Leasing and management	48.1		%	46.7		%				45.5		%		46.7		%
	Railcar sales	*			*						*				*
	Total operating profit margin	49.1		%	53.2		%				46.5		%		45.9		%
	Selected expense information(1):
	Depreciation	$	32.8		$	30.6		7.2			$	95.8			$	89.9			6.6
	Maintenance	$	16.4		$	14.4		13.9			$	53.8			$	43.2			24.5
	Rent	$	13.3		$	12.7		4.7			$	40			$	38.2			4.7
	Interest:
	External	$	37.3		$	39.3					$	116.2			$	118.4
	Intercompany	—			3.3						3.8				9.8
	Total interest expense	$	37.3		$	42.6		(12.4	)		$	120			$	128.2			(6.4	)
	* Not meaningful
	(1) Depreciation, maintenance, and rent expense are components of operating profit. Amortization of deferred profit on railcars sold from the Rail Group to the Leasing Group is included in the operating profits of the Leasing Group resulting in the recognition of depreciation expense based on the Company's original manufacturing cost of the railcars. Interest expense is not a component of operating profit and includes the effect of hedges. Intercompany interest expense arises from Trinity’s previous ownership of a portion of TRIP Holdings’ Senior Secured Notes and is eliminated in consolidation. See Note 11 Debt.
Future contractual minimum rental revenues on leases	'
	Future contractual minimum rental revenues on leases are as follows:
			Remaining three months of 2013			2014			2015				2016				2017				Thereafter		Total
			(in millions)
	Future contractual minimum rental revenue		$	115		$	395.6		$	333.3			$	271.2			$	206.9			$	393.6	$	1,715.60
Operating leases with the Trusts	'
Future Contractual Minimum Rental Revenues on Leases [Line Items]	'
Future operating lease obligations and future contractual minimum rental revenues	'
	Future operating lease obligations of the Leasing Group’s subsidiaries as well as future contractual minimum rental revenues related to these leases due to the Leasing Group are as follows:
			Remaining three months of 2013			2014			2015				2016				2017				Thereafter		Total
			(in millions)
	Future operating lease obligations of Trusts’ railcars		$	11.3		$	44.7		$	43			$	40.1			$	41.9			$	298.9	$	479.9
	Future contractual minimum rental revenues of Trusts’ railcars		$	15.9		$	53.4		$	42.7			$	32.6			$	23.2			$	37.6	$	205.4
Operating leases other than leases with the Trusts	'
Future Contractual Minimum Rental Revenues on Leases [Line Items]	'
Future operating lease obligations and future contractual minimum rental revenues	'
	Future amounts due as well as future contractual minimum rental revenues related to operating leases other than leases discussed above are as follows:
			Remaining three months of 2013			2014			2015				2016				2017				Thereafter		Total
			(in millions)
	Future operating lease obligations		$	3.2		$	12.8		$	12.8			$	12.7			$	12.1			$	50.3	$	103.9
	Future contractual minimum rental revenues		$	4.7		$	18		$	12.4			$	11.5			$	8.9			$	14.5	$	70

Derivative_Instruments_Tables

Derivative Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Interest rate hedges	'
	Interest rate hedges
								Included in accompanying balance sheet
								at September 30, 2013
		Notional			Interest			Liability				AOCL –				Noncontrolling
		Amount			Rate(1)							loss/				Interest
												(income)
		(in millions, except %)
	Expired hedges:
	2006 secured railcar equipment notes	$	200		4.87	%		$	—			$	(1.7	)		$	—
	Promissory notes	$	370		5.34	%		$	—			$	4.9			$	—
	TRIP Holdings warehouse loan	$	788.5		3.6	%		$	—			$	13.5			$	16.6
	Open hedges:
	TRIP Master Funding secured railcar equipment notes	$	70		2.62	%		$	2.8			$	1.2			$	1.5
	Promissory notes	$	421.6		4.13	%		$	25.5			$	23.5			$	—
	(1)	Weighted average fixed interest rate
Interest rate hedges	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Effect on Statements of Operations	'
		Effect on interest expense - increase/(decrease)
		Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended								Expected effect during next twelve months(1)
		September 30,							September 30,
		2013			2012				2013				2012
		(in millions)
	Expired hedges:
	2006 secured railcar equipment notes	$	—		$	(0.1	)		$	(0.2	)		$	(0.3	)		$	(0.3	)
	Promissory notes	$	0.8		$	0.8			$	2.4			$	2.5			$	3
	TRIP Holdings warehouse loan	$	1.3		$	1.5			$	4.8			$	4.5			$	5.2
	Open hedges:
	TRIP Master Funding secured railcar equipment notes	$	0.4		$	0.5			$	1.3			$	1.5			$	1.5
	Promissory notes	$	4		$	4.3			$	12			$	12.7			$	16
	(1) Based on the fair value of open hedges as of September 30, 2013
Fuel derivative instruments	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Effect on Statements of Operations	'
	Other Derivatives
		Effect on operating income - increase/(decrease)
		Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
		September 30,							September 30,
		2013			2012				2013				2012
		(in millions)
	Fuel hedges(1)
	Effect of mark-to-market valuation	$	—		$	0.6			$	—			$	0.6
	Settlements	(0.1		)	—				—				—
		$	(0.1	)	$	0.6			$	—			$	0.6
	Foreign exchange hedges(2)	$	—		$	—			$	—			$	(0.4	)
	(1)	Included in cost of revenues in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations
	(2)	Included in other, net in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant, and Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Components of property, plant, and equipment	'
	The following table summarizes the components of property, plant, and equipment as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
		(in millions)
	Manufacturing/Corporate:
	Land	$	42.5		$	37.7
	Buildings and improvements	453			431
	Machinery and other	842.5			745.3
	Construction in progress	57.3			46.1
		1,395.30			1,260.10
	Less accumulated depreciation	(766.3		)	(720.8		)
		629			539.3
	Leasing:
	Wholly-owned subsidiaries:
	Machinery and other	10.1			9.6
	Equipment on lease	3,490.70			3,231.90
		3,500.80			3,241.50
	Less accumulated depreciation	(536.2		)	(468.4		)
		2,964.60			2,773.10
	Partially-owned subsidiaries:
	Equipment on lease	1,945.70			1,703.10
	Less accumulated depreciation	(189.4		)	(153.8		)
		1,756.30			1,549.30
	Net deferred profit on railcars sold to the Leasing Group	(648.6		)	(562.7		)
		$	4,701.30		$	4,299.00
	Certain prior year balances with respect to RIV 2013 have been reclassified as pertaining to a partially-owned subsidiary to conform to the 2013 presentation. See Note 5 Partially-Owned Leasing Subsidiaries.

Goodwill_Tables

Goodwill (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill by segment	'
	Goodwill by segment is as follows:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
				(as reported)
		(in millions)
	Rail Group	$	122.5	$	122.5
	Construction Products Group	112.4		105.2
	Energy Equipment Group	14.1		10.9
	Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	1.8		1.8
		$	250.8	$	240.4

Warranties_Tables

Warranties (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Changes in the accruals for warranties	'
	The changes in the accruals for warranties for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(in millions)
	Beginning balance	$	13.5		$	13.8		$	12.5		$	13.5
	Warranty costs incurred	(1.6		)	(1.1		)	(4.6		)	(5.0		)
	Warranty originations and revisions	3.9			2.6			9.9			7.8
	Warranty expirations	(1.0		)	(0.6		)	(3.0		)	(1.6		)
	Ending balance	$	14.8		$	14.7		$	14.8		$	14.7

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of debt	'
	The following table summarizes the components of debt as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
		(in millions)
	Manufacturing/Corporate – Recourse:
	Revolving credit facility	$	—		$	—
	Convertible subordinated notes	450			450
	Less: unamortized discount	(77.6		)	(87.5		)
		372.4			362.5
	Other	0.9			1.2
		373.3			363.7
	Leasing – Recourse:
	Capital lease obligations	42.9			45.8
	Term loan	—			48.6
		42.9			94.4
	Total recourse debt	416.2			458.1
	Leasing – Non-recourse:
	Wholly-owned subsidiaries:
	2006 secured railcar equipment notes	244.7			255.8
	Promissory notes	403.5			424.1
	2009 secured railcar equipment notes	201.6			209.2
	2010 secured railcar equipment notes	330.4			341.5
	TILC warehouse facility	152			173.6
		1,332.20			1,404.20
	Partially-owned subsidiaries:
	TRL 2012 secured railcar equipment notes - RIV 2013	505.6			333.8
	TRIP Master Funding secured railcar equipment notes	767.1			797.7
	TRIP Holdings senior secured notes:
	Total outstanding	—			170
	Less: owned by Trinity	—			(108.8		)
		—			61.2
		1,272.70			1,192.70
	Total non–recourse debt	2,604.90			2,596.90
	Total debt	$	3,021.10		$	3,055.00
Total interest expense recognized on the Convertible Subordinated Notes	'
	Total interest expense recognized on the Convertible Subordinated Notes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
		(in millions)
	Coupon rate interest	$	4.4		$	4.4		$	13.1	$	13.1
	Amortized debt discount	3.4			3.1			9.9		9.1
		$	7.8		$	7.5		$	23	$	22.2
Remaining principal payments under existing debt agreements	'
	The remaining principal payments under existing debt agreements as of September 30, 2013 are as follows:
		Remaining three months of 2013			2014			2015		2016		2017		Thereafter
		(in millions)
	Recourse:
	Manufacturing/Corporate	$	—		$	0.2		$	0.2	$	0.2	$	0.3	$	450
	Leasing – capital lease obligations (Note 6)	0.7			3.1			3.3		3.5		3.7		28.6
	Non-recourse – leasing (Note 6):
	2006 secured railcar equipment notes	4			16.9			18.6		21.9		24.1		159.2
	Promissory notes	7.3			26.1			23.9		346.2		—		—
	2009 secured railcar equipment notes	2.6			9.9			9.6		6.5		6.3		166.7
	2010 secured railcar equipment notes	3.5			14			15.3		15		13.7		268.9
	TILC warehouse facility - facility termination payments	—			—			50.7		101.3		—		—
	TRL 2012 secured railcar equipment notes -	6.3			25			23.5		22.6		23.1		405.1
	RIV 2013
	TRIP Master Funding secured railcar equipment notes	10.3			40.1			35.7		29.3		20.4		631.3
	Total principal payments	$	34.7		$	135.3		$	180.8	$	546.5	$	91.6	$	2,109.80

Other_Net_Tables

Other, Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
Other, net (income) expense	'
	Other, net (income) expense consists of the following items:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(in millions)
	Foreign currency exchange transactions	$	(0.1	)	$	(0.4	)	$	0.4		$	(1.8	)
	Gain on equity investments	—			(0.2		)	(0.2		)	(0.3		)
	Other	(0.4		)	(0.9		)	(2.5		)	(2.4		)
	Other, net	$	(0.5	)	$	(1.5	)	$	(2.3	)	$	(4.5	)

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation between the statutory United States Federal income tax rate and the Company's effective income tax rate	'
	The following is a reconciliation between the statutory U.S. Federal income tax rate and the Company’s effective income tax rate on income from continuing operations:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Statutory rate	35	%		35	%		35	%	35	%
	State taxes	2.5			2			2.3		2
	Domestic production activities deduction	(2.7	)		—			(1.6	)	—
	Noncontrolling interest	(1.0	)		—			(0.9	)	—
	Tax assessments and settlements	—			—			—		(0.8	)
	Changes in valuation allowance and reserves	(3.0	)		(1.6	)		(1.2	)	(0.6	)
	Foreign tax adjustments	—			(1.0	)		—		(0.6	)
	State adjustments	3.2			—			1.2		—
	Other, net	0.2			(0.3	)		0.1		(0.1	)
	Effective rate	34.2	%		34.1	%		34.9	%	34.9	%
Change in unrecognized tax benefits	'
	The change in unrecognized tax benefits for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2013				2012
		(in millions)
	Beginning balance	$	48.7			$	52.5
	Additions for tax positions related to the current year	3.4				3.1
	Additions for tax positions of prior years	1.9				—
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years	—				(1.1		)
	Settlements	(0.1		)		(3.4		)
	Expiration of statute of limitations	(0.1		)		(0.8		)
	Ending balance	$	53.8			$	50.3

Employee_Retirement_Plans_Tabl

Employee Retirement Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of net retirement cost	'
	The following table summarizes the components of net retirement cost for the Company:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(in millions)
	Expense Components
	Service cost	$	0.3		$	0.2		$	0.8		$	0.6
	Interest	4.6			4.9			13.9			14.6
	Expected return on plan assets	(6.6		)	(5.7		)	(19.9		)	(17.1		)
	Amortization of actuarial loss	1.2			0.7			3.7			2.5
	Prior service cost	—			0.1			—			0.1
	Defined benefit expense	(0.5		)	0.2			(1.5		)	0.7
	Profit sharing	3.1			3.1			9.5			8.9
	Net expense	$	2.6		$	3.3		$	8		$	9.6

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss	'
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 are as follows, net of tax:
		Currency translation adjustments			Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments			Net actuarial gains/(losses) of defined benefit plans			Accumulated
											Other
											Comprehensive
											Loss
		(in millions)
	Balances at December 31, 2012	$	(16.5	)	$	(34.8	)	$	(98.8	)	$	(150.1	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			0.4			—			0.4
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax benefit of $-, $6.8, $1.4, and $8.2	—			13.7			2.3			16
	Less: noncontrolling interest	—			(3.2		)	—			(3.2		)
	Other comprehensive income	—			10.9			2.3			13.2
	Sale of interests in partially-owned leasing subsidiaries	—			13.2			—			13.2
	Repurchase of interests in partially-owned leasing subsidiary	—			(11.8		)	—			(11.8		)
	Balances at September 30, 2013	$	(16.5	)	$	(22.5	)	$	(96.5	)	$	(135.5	)

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Tabl

Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation of basic and diluted net income attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc.	'
	The computation of basic and diluted net income attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc. follows. Amounts previously reported have been adjusted to reflect discontinued operations resulting from the sale of the Company's ready-mix concrete operations. See Note 2 Acquisitions and Divestitures.
		Three Months Ended						Three Months Ended
		30-Sep-13						30-Sep-12
		Income			Average	EPS		Income			Average	EPS
		(Loss)			Shares			(Loss)			Shares
		(in millions, except per share amounts)
	Net income from continuing operations	$	105.8					$	62.4
	Less: net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interest	6.5						(0.1		)
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc.	99.3						62.5
	Unvested restricted share participation	(3.3		)				(2.0		)
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc. – basic	96			76.1	$	1.26	60.5			76.5	$	0.79
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options	—			0.1			—			0.2
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc. – diluted	$	96		76.2	$	1.26	$	60.5		76.7	$	0.79
	Net income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	0.3					$	0.7
	Unvested restricted share participation	—						—
	Net income from discontinued operations, net of taxes – basic	0.3			76.1	$	—	0.7			76.5	$	0.01
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options	—			0.1			—			0.2
	Net income from discontinued operations, net of taxes – diluted	$	0.3		76.2	$	—	$	0.7		76.7	$	0.01
		Nine Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep-13						30-Sep-12
		Income			Average	EPS		Income			Average	EPS
		(Loss)			Shares			(Loss)			Shares
		(in millions, except per share amounts)
	Net income from continuing operations	$	267.2					$	180.9
	Less: net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interest	10.4						(1.0		)
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc.	256.8						181.9
	Unvested restricted share participation	(8.2		)				(6.0		)
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc. – basic	248.6			76.7	$	3.24	175.9			77.3	$	2.28
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options	—			0.1			—			0.2
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc. – diluted	$	248.6		76.8	$	3.24	$	175.9		77.5	$	2.27
	Net income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	5.9					$	2
	Unvested restricted share participation	(0.2		)				(0.1		)
	Net income from discontinued operations, net of taxes – basic	5.7			76.7	$	0.07	1.9			77.3	$	0.02
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options	—			0.1			—			0.2
	Net income from discontinued operations, net of taxes – diluted	$	5.7		76.8	$	0.07	$	1.9		77.5	$	0.02

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Authorized amount from board of directors for share repurchase	'	$200,000,000	'	'	'	'
Share repurchase program effective date	'	1-Oct-12	'	'	'	'
Share repurchase program expiry date	'	31-Dec-14	'	'	'	'
Shares repurchased under the program	'	'	539,941	141,992	1,834,189	1,834,221
Cost of shares repurchased	'	'	23,900,000	4,000,000	73,800,000	45,200,000
Shares repurchased settled in subsequent month	$2,700,000	'	'	'	'	'
Customer receivables concentration | Customer receivables concentration | Energy Equipment Group	'	'	'	'	'	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of customers for net receivables concentration	'	'	'	'	1	'
Net receivables percentage	'	'	'	'	14.00%	'

Acquisitions_and_Divestitures_1

Acquisitions and Divestitures (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2013
					Energy Equipment Group
Acquisition:	'	'	'	'	'
Purchase price	$0	$5.50	$83.40	$7.50	$27.90
Net cash paid	0	4.9	37.2	4.9	27.9
Goodwill recorded	0	3.2	9.5	4	3.2
Divestiture:	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds	0	0	35.6	2.1	'
Gain recognized	0	0	12.5	1.5	'
Goodwill charged off	$0	$0	$4.80	$0.10	'

Acquisitions_and_Divestitures_2

Acquisitions and Divestitures (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets of Ready-Mix Concrete Operations:	'		'	'		'	'
Total assets of Ready-Mix Concrete Operations	$0	[1]	'	$0	[1]	'	$27.90
Liabilities of Ready-Mix Concrete Operations:	'		'	'		'	'
Total liabilities of Ready-Mix Concrete Operations	0	[1]	'	0	[1]	'	3.7
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	0.3		0.7	-1.2		2	'
Ready-Mix Concrete Operations	'		'	'		'	'
Assets of Ready-Mix Concrete Operations:	'		'	'		'	'
Inventories	0		'	0		'	4.5
Property, plant, and equipment, net	0		'	0		'	16.9
Goodwill	0		'	0		'	6.3
Other	0		'	0		'	0.2
Total assets of Ready-Mix Concrete Operations	0		'	0		'	27.9
Liabilities of Ready-Mix Concrete Operations:	'		'	'		'	'
Debt	0		'	0		'	3.7
Total liabilities of Ready-Mix Concrete Operations	0		'	0		'	3.7
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Revenues	0		30.2	31.6		92.2	'
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes	0.4		1.1	-1.9		3.3	'
Income tax expense (benefit)	0.1		0.4	-0.7		1.2	'
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$0.30		$0.70	($1.20)		$2.10	'
[1]	(unaudited)

Fair_Value_Accounting_Details

Fair Value Accounting (Details) (Fair value measurements, recurring, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Level 1	'		'
Assets:	'		'
Cash equivalents	$160.30		$246.60
Restricted cash	249.3		223.2
Total assets	409.6		469.8
Liabilities:	'		'
Total liabilities	0		0
Level 1 | Equity call agreement with TRIP Holdings equity investor	'		'
Assets:	'		'
Equity call agreement with TRIP Holdings equity investor	'		0	[1]
Level 1 | Fuel derivative instruments	'		'
Assets:	'		'
Fuel derivative instruments	'		0	[1]
Level 1 | Equity put agreement with TRIP Holdings equity investor	'		'
Liabilities:	'		'
Equity put agreement with TRIP Holdings equity investor	'		0	[2]
Level 1 | Wholly-owned subsidiaries | Interest rate hedges	'		'
Liabilities:	'		'
Interest rate hedges	0	[3]	0	[3]
Level 1 | Partially-owned subsidiaries | Interest rate hedges	'		'
Liabilities:	'		'
Interest rate hedges	0	[3]	0	[3]
Level 2	'		'
Assets:	'		'
Cash equivalents	0		155
Restricted cash	0		0
Total assets	0		155.1
Liabilities:	'		'
Total liabilities	28.3		42.8
Level 2 | Equity call agreement with TRIP Holdings equity investor	'		'
Assets:	'		'
Equity call agreement with TRIP Holdings equity investor	'		0	[1]
Level 2 | Fuel derivative instruments	'		'
Assets:	'		'
Fuel derivative instruments	'		0.1	[1]
Level 2 | Equity put agreement with TRIP Holdings equity investor	'		'
Liabilities:	'		'
Equity put agreement with TRIP Holdings equity investor	'		0	[2]
Level 2 | Wholly-owned subsidiaries | Interest rate hedges	'		'
Liabilities:	'		'
Interest rate hedges	25.5	[3]	37.6	[3]
Level 2 | Partially-owned subsidiaries | Interest rate hedges	'		'
Liabilities:	'		'
Interest rate hedges	2.8	[3]	5.2	[3]
Level 3	'		'
Assets:	'		'
Cash equivalents	0		0
Restricted cash	0		0
Total assets	0		0.8
Liabilities:	'		'
Total liabilities	0		2.9
Level 3 | Equity call agreement with TRIP Holdings equity investor	'		'
Assets:	'		'
Equity call agreement with TRIP Holdings equity investor	'		0.8	[1]
Level 3 | Fuel derivative instruments	'		'
Assets:	'		'
Fuel derivative instruments	'		0	[1]
Level 3 | Equity put agreement with TRIP Holdings equity investor	'		'
Liabilities:	'		'
Equity put agreement with TRIP Holdings equity investor	'		2.9	[2]
Level 3 | Wholly-owned subsidiaries | Interest rate hedges	'		'
Liabilities:	'		'
Interest rate hedges	0	[3]	0	[3]
Level 3 | Partially-owned subsidiaries | Interest rate hedges	'		'
Liabilities:	'		'
Interest rate hedges	0	[3]	0	[3]
Total	'		'
Assets:	'		'
Cash equivalents	160.3		401.6
Restricted cash	249.3		223.2
Total assets	409.6		625.7
Liabilities:	'		'
Total liabilities	28.3		45.7
Total | Equity call agreement with TRIP Holdings equity investor	'		'
Assets:	'		'
Equity call agreement with TRIP Holdings equity investor	'		0.8	[1]
Total | Fuel derivative instruments	'		'
Assets:	'		'
Fuel derivative instruments	'		0.1	[1]
Total | Equity put agreement with TRIP Holdings equity investor	'		'
Liabilities:	'		'
Equity put agreement with TRIP Holdings equity investor	'		2.9	[2]
Total | Wholly-owned subsidiaries | Interest rate hedges	'		'
Liabilities:	'		'
Interest rate hedges	25.5	[3]	37.6	[3]
Total | Partially-owned subsidiaries | Interest rate hedges	'		'
Liabilities:	'		'
Interest rate hedges	$2.80	[3]	$5.20	[3]
[1]	Included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
[2]	Included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
[3]	Included in accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.

Fair_Value_Accounting_Details_

Fair Value Accounting (Details 1) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Less: unamortized discount	($77.60)	[1]	($87.50)
Notes payable	1,332.20	[1]	1,404.20
Total debt	3,021.10	[1]	3,055
Manufacturing/Corporate	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Total debt	373.3		363.7
Wholly-owned subsidiaries | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Total debt	1,375.10		1,498.60
Partially-owned subsidiaries | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Total debt	1,272.70		1,192.70
Recourse	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Less: unamortized discount	-77.6		-87.5
Total debt	416.2		458.1
Recourse | Manufacturing/Corporate	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Less: unamortized discount	-77.6		-87.5
Total debt	373.3		363.7
Recourse | Wholly-owned subsidiaries | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Less: unamortized discount	0		0
Total debt	42.9		94.4
Recourse | Partially-owned subsidiaries | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Less: unamortized discount	0		0
Total debt	0		0
Carrying Value	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Total debt	3,021.10		3,055
Carrying Value | Recourse	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Total debt	416.2		458.1
Carrying Value | Recourse | Manufacturing/Corporate	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Convertible subordinated notes	450		450
Less: unamortized discount	-77.6		-87.5
Convertible subordinated notes, net	372.4		362.5
Other	0.9		1.2
Total debt	373.3		363.7
Carrying Value | Recourse | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Total debt	42.9		94.4
Carrying Value | Recourse | Capital lease obligations | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Capital lease obligations	42.9		45.8
Carrying Value | Recourse | Term loan | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Loans payable	0		48.6
Carrying Value | Non-recourse | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Total debt	2,604.90		2,596.90
Carrying Value | Non-recourse | Wholly-owned subsidiaries | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Total debt	1,332.20		1,404.20
Carrying Value | Non-recourse | Partially-owned subsidiaries | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Total debt	1,272.70		1,192.70
Carrying Value | Non-recourse | 2006 secured railcar equipment notes | Wholly-owned subsidiaries | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Notes payable	244.7		255.8
Carrying Value | Non-recourse | Promissory notes | Wholly-owned subsidiaries | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Notes payable	403.5		424.1
Carrying Value | Non-recourse | 2009 secured railcar equipment notes | Wholly-owned subsidiaries | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Notes payable	201.6		209.2
Carrying Value | Non-recourse | 2010 secured railcar equipment notes | Wholly-owned subsidiaries | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Notes payable	330.4		341.5
Carrying Value | Non-recourse | TILC warehouse facility | Wholly-owned subsidiaries | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Loans payable	152		173.6
Carrying Value | Non-recourse | TRL 2012 secured railcar equipment notes - RIV 2013 | Partially-owned subsidiaries | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Notes payable	505.6		333.8
Carrying Value | Non-recourse | TRIP Holdings senior secured notes | Partially-owned subsidiaries | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
TRIP Holdings senior secured notes	0		61.2
Carrying Value | Non-recourse | TRIP Master Funding secured railcar equipment notes | Partially-owned subsidiaries | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Notes payable	767.1		797.7
Estimated Fair Value	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Total debt	3,291.70		3,470.90
Estimated Fair Value | Recourse	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Total debt	594.5		606.9
Estimated Fair Value | Recourse | Manufacturing/Corporate	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Convertible subordinated notes	550.7		506.6
Other	0.9		1.2
Estimated Fair Value | Recourse | Capital lease obligations | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Capital lease obligations	42.9		45.8
Estimated Fair Value | Recourse | Term loan | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Loans payable	0		53.3
Estimated Fair Value | Non-recourse | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Total debt	2,697.20		2,864
Estimated Fair Value | Non-recourse | 2006 secured railcar equipment notes | Wholly-owned subsidiaries | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Notes payable	265		292
Estimated Fair Value | Non-recourse | Promissory notes | Wholly-owned subsidiaries | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Notes payable	396.2		414.6
Estimated Fair Value | Non-recourse | 2009 secured railcar equipment notes | Wholly-owned subsidiaries | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Notes payable	234.1		260.4
Estimated Fair Value | Non-recourse | 2010 secured railcar equipment notes | Wholly-owned subsidiaries | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Notes payable	348.7		387.2
Estimated Fair Value | Non-recourse | TILC warehouse facility | Wholly-owned subsidiaries | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Loans payable	152		173.6
Estimated Fair Value | Non-recourse | TRL 2012 secured railcar equipment notes - RIV 2013 | Partially-owned subsidiaries | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Notes payable	470.5		321.7
Estimated Fair Value | Non-recourse | TRIP Holdings senior secured notes | Partially-owned subsidiaries | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
TRIP Holdings senior secured notes	0		62.5
Estimated Fair Value | Non-recourse | TRIP Master Funding secured railcar equipment notes | Partially-owned subsidiaries | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	'		'
Notes payable	$830.70		$952
[1]	(unaudited)

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	$1,110.30	$907.30	$3,109.30	$2,799
Operating Profit (Loss)	205.6	140.7	548.5	415.9
Rail Group	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	541.5	328.3	1,439.20	1,049.70
Operating Profit (Loss)	121.5	35.2	332.3	128.3
Construction Products Group	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	145.8	118	393.1	357.2
Operating Profit (Loss)	18.6	11.5	45.3	35.4
Inland Barge Group	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	136.4	166.5	433.8	509.8
Operating Profit (Loss)	23.8	26.9	69	93.5
Energy Equipment Group	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	135	131	384.9	377.7
Operating Profit (Loss)	15	9.5	44.2	9.7
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	150.6	159.3	454.6	493.7
Operating Profit (Loss)	74	85.1	211.3	228
All Other	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	1	4.2	3.7	10.9
Operating Profit (Loss)	-1.6	-2	-8	-7.1
Segment Totals before Eliminations and Corporate Expenses	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	1,110.30	907.3	3,109.30	2,799
Operating Profit (Loss)	251.3	166.2	694.1	487.8
Corporate	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating Profit (Loss)	-17.8	-12.4	-49.9	-33.6
Eliminations – Lease subsidiary	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating Profit (Loss)	-28.3	-14.1	-95.4	-37.2
Eliminations – Other	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating Profit (Loss)	0.4	1	-0.3	-1.1
Total	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	1,110.30	907.3	3,109.30	2,799
Total | Rail Group	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	718.5	457.9	2,012	1,441.90
Total | Construction Products Group	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	149.2	124.1	407.5	373.9
Total | Inland Barge Group	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	136.4	166.5	433.8	509.8
Total | Energy Equipment Group	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	169.7	135.6	476.9	391.3
Total | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	150.6	159.9	454.6	496.4
Operating Profit (Loss)	74	85.1	211.3	228
Total | All Other	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	22	24.6	63	61.1
Total | Segment Totals before Eliminations and Corporate Expenses	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	1,346.40	1,068.60	3,847.80	3,274.40
Total | Corporate	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	0	0	0	0
Total | Eliminations – Lease subsidiary	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	-173	-125.9	-560.5	-380.8
Total | Eliminations – Other	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	-63.1	-35.4	-178	-94.6
Intersegment	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	0	0	0	0
Intersegment | Rail Group	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	177	129.6	572.8	392.2
Intersegment | Construction Products Group	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	3.4	6.1	14.4	16.7
Intersegment | Inland Barge Group	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	0	0	0	0
Intersegment | Energy Equipment Group	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	34.7	4.6	92	13.6
Intersegment | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	0	0.6	0	2.7
Intersegment | All Other	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	21	20.4	59.3	50.2
Intersegment | Segment Totals before Eliminations and Corporate Expenses	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	236.1	161.3	738.5	475.4
Intersegment | Corporate	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	0	0	0	0
Intersegment | Eliminations – Lease subsidiary	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	-173	-125.9	-560.5	-380.8
Intersegment | Eliminations – Other	'	'	'	'
Financial Information from continuing operations for segments	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	($63.10)	($35.40)	($178)	($94.60)

Segment_Information_Details_Te

Segment Information (Details Textual)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	segments
Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract]	'
Number of principal business segments of Company	5

PartiallyOwned_Leasing_Subsidi1

Partially-Owned Leasing Subsidiaries (Details Textual) (USD $)	9 Months Ended				1 Months Ended				1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	31-May-13	Sep. 30, 2013	31-May-13	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
			Leasing Group	Leasing Group	Leasing Group	Leasing Group	Leasing Group	Leasing Group	Leasing Group	Leasing Group	Leasing Group
			Partially-owned subsidiaries	TRIP Leasing	RIV 2013	RIV 2013	RIV 2013	RIV 2013	TRIP Holdings	TRIP Holdings	TRIP Holdings
			subsidiaries
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of subsidiaries	'	'	2	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of board members	'	'	7	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of TILC designated board members	'	'	2	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of railcars owned	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Date through which equity funding is committed	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'May 2016	'	'	'
Remaining equity commitment outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$27.90	'	'	'
Remaining equity commitment outstanding from third parties	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	63.4	'	'	'
Date through which equity is committed, extended date	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'May 2019	'	'	'
Trinity guarantees of subsidiary-related activities	'	'	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Purchase price of additional interest in TRIP Holdings	84	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	52.3	31.7	'
Reduction in carrying amount of noncontrolling interest from purchase of additional interest in TRIP Holdings	-84.2	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	32.3	'
Proceeds from sale of interests in partially-owned leasing subsidiaries	296.7	0	'	'	'	'	94.6	'	200.3	'	'
Carrying value of investment in partially-owned subsidiary	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	44.2	'	'	163.2
Ownership percentage in partially-owned subsidiary	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	31.00%	'	'	45.00%
Contribution from TILC to RIV 2013	'	'	'	'	'	23.4	'	'	'	'	'
Contribution from third-party investors to RIV 2013	50	0	'	'	'	50	'	'	'	'	'
Purchase of equity interests by one investor from other investors	'	'	'	'	$2.50	'	'	'	'	'	'

Railcar_Leasing_and_Management2

Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Consolidating Financial Information	'		'
Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term marketable securities	$498.60		$573
Property, plant, and equipment, net	5,349.90		4,861.70
Net deferred profit on railcars sold to the Leasing Group	-648.6		-562.7
Property, plant, and equipment, net	4,701.30	[1]	4,299
Restricted cash	249.3	[1]	223.2
Debt:	'		'
Less: unamortized discount	-77.6	[1]	-87.5
Total debt	3,021.10	[1]	3,055
Net deferred tax liabilities	568.3		555.8
Recourse	'		'
Debt:	'		'
Recourse	493.8		545.6
Less: unamortized discount	-77.6		-87.5
Total debt	416.2		458.1
Non-recourse	'		'
Debt:	'		'
Non-recourse	2,604.90		2,705.70
Less: non-recourse debt owned by Trinity	'		-108.8
Partially-owned subsidiaries	'		'
Consolidating Financial Information	'		'
Restricted cash	78.8	[1]	57.8
Leasing Group	'		'
Consolidating Financial Information	'		'
Net deferred profit on railcars sold to the Leasing Group	-648.6		-562.7
Leasing Group | Wholly-owned subsidiaries	'		'
Consolidating Financial Information	'		'
Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term marketable securities	2.5		5.7
Property, plant, and equipment, net	2,964.60		2,773.10
Restricted cash	170.5		165.4
Debt:	'		'
Total debt	1,375.10		1,498.60
Net deferred tax liabilities	693.2		671.1
Leasing Group | Wholly-owned subsidiaries | Recourse	'		'
Debt:	'		'
Recourse	42.9		94.4
Less: unamortized discount	0		0
Total debt	42.9		94.4
Leasing Group | Wholly-owned subsidiaries | Non-recourse	'		'
Debt:	'		'
Non-recourse	1,332.20		1,404.20
Less: non-recourse debt owned by Trinity	'		0
Leasing Group | Partially-owned subsidiaries	'		'
Consolidating Financial Information	'		'
Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term marketable securities	0		0
Property, plant, and equipment, net	1,756.30		1,549.30
Restricted cash	78.8		57.8
Debt:	'		'
Total debt	1,272.70		1,192.70
Net deferred tax liabilities	0		5.4
Leasing Group | Partially-owned subsidiaries | Recourse	'		'
Debt:	'		'
Recourse	0		0
Less: unamortized discount	0		0
Total debt	0		0
Leasing Group | Partially-owned subsidiaries | Non-recourse	'		'
Debt:	'		'
Non-recourse	1,272.70		1,301.50
Less: non-recourse debt owned by Trinity	'		-108.8
Manufacturing/Corporate	'		'
Consolidating Financial Information	'		'
Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term marketable securities	496.1		567.3
Property, plant, and equipment, net	629		539.3
Restricted cash	0		0
Debt:	'		'
Total debt	373.3		363.7
Net deferred tax liabilities	-124.9		-120.7
Manufacturing/Corporate | Recourse	'		'
Debt:	'		'
Recourse	450.9		451.2
Less: unamortized discount	-77.6		-87.5
Total debt	373.3		363.7
Manufacturing/Corporate | Non-recourse	'		'
Debt:	'		'
Non-recourse	0		0
Less: non-recourse debt owned by Trinity	'		$0
[1]	(unaudited)

Railcar_Leasing_and_Management3

Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues:	'		'		'		'
Total revenues	$1,110.30		$907.30		$3,109.30		$2,799
Operating profit:	'		'		'		'
Total operating profit	205.6		140.7		548.5		415.9
Selected expense information:	'		'		'		'
Depreciation	'		'		156.2		144.5
Interest:	'		'		'		'
Interest expense	45.8		47.8		141.5		143.6
Leasing Group	'		'		'		'
Revenues:	'		'		'		'
Total revenues	150.6		159.3		454.6		493.7
Percent Change	-5.80%		'		-8.40%		'
Operating profit:	'		'		'		'
Total operating profit	74		85.1		211.3		228
Percentage Change	-13.00%		'		-7.30%		'
Operating profit margin:	'		'		'		'
Total operating profit margin	49.10%		53.20%		46.50%		45.90%
Selected expense information:	'		'		'		'
Depreciation	32.8	[1]	30.6	[1]	95.8	[1]	89.9	[1]
Percent Change, Depreciation	7.20%	[1]	'		6.60%	[1]	'
Maintenance	16.4	[1]	14.4	[1]	53.8	[1]	43.2	[1]
Percent Change, Maintenance	13.90%	[1]	'		24.50%	[1]	'
Rent	13.3	[1]	12.7	[1]	40	[1]	38.2	[1]
Percent Change, Rent	4.70%	[1]	'		4.70%	[1]	'
Interest:	'		'		'		'
Interest expense	37.3	[1]	39.3	[1]	116.2	[1]	118.4	[1]
Percent Change, Total interest expense	-12.40%	[1]	'		-6.40%	[1]	'
Leasing Group | Leasing and management	'		'		'		'
Revenues:	'		'		'		'
Total revenues	150.6		136.5		435.6		395.9
Percent Change	10.30%		'		10.00%		'
Operating profit:	'		'		'		'
Total operating profit	72.4		63.8		198.2		185
Percentage Change	13.50%		'		7.10%		'
Operating profit margin:	'		'		'		'
Total operating profit margin	48.10%		46.70%		45.50%		46.70%
Leasing Group | Railcars owned one year or less at the time of sale	'		'		'		'
Revenues:	'		'		'		'
Total revenues	0		23.4		19		100.5
Operating profit:	'		'		'		'
Total operating profit	0		4.3		3.5		20.7
Leasing Group | Railcars owned more than one year at the time of sale	'		'		'		'
Operating profit:	'		'		'		'
Total operating profit	1.6		17		9.6		22.3
Intercompany	'		'		'		'
Revenues:	'		'		'		'
Total revenues	0		0		0		0
Intercompany | Leasing Group	'		'		'		'
Revenues:	'		'		'		'
Total revenues	0		0.6		0		2.7
Interest:	'		'		'		'
Interest expense	0	[1]	3.3	[1]	3.8	[1]	9.8	[1]
Total	'		'		'		'
Revenues:	'		'		'		'
Total revenues	1,110.30		907.3		3,109.30		2,799
Total | Leasing Group	'		'		'		'
Revenues:	'		'		'		'
Total revenues	150.6		159.9		454.6		496.4
Operating profit:	'		'		'		'
Total operating profit	74		85.1		211.3		228
Interest:	'		'		'		'
Interest expense	$37.30	[1]	$42.60	[1]	$120	[1]	$128.20	[1]
[1]	Depreciation, maintenance, and rent expense are components of operating profit. Amortization of deferred profit on railcars sold from the Rail Group to the Leasing Group is included in the operating profits of the Leasing Group resulting in the recognition of depreciation expense based on the Company's original manufacturing cost of the railcars. Interest expense is not a component of operating profit and includes the effect of hedges. Intercompany interest expense arises from Trinity’s previous ownership of a portion of TRIP Holdings’ Senior Secured Notes and is eliminated in consolidation. See Note 11 Debt.

Railcar_Leasing_and_Management4

Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group (Details 2) (Leasing Group, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Leasing Group	'
Future contractual minimum rental revenues on leases	'
Remaining three months of 2013	$115
2014	395.6
2015	333.3
2016	271.2
2017	206.9
Thereafter	393.6
Total	$1,715.60

Railcar_Leasing_and_Management5

Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group (Details 3) (Leasing Group, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Future contractual minimum rental revenues on leases	'
Remaining three months of 2013	$115
2014	395.6
2015	333.3
2016	271.2
2017	206.9
Thereafter	393.6
Total	1,715.60
Operating leases with the Trusts	'
Future contractual minimum rental obligations on leases	'
Remaining three months of 2013	11.3
2014	44.7
2015	43
2016	40.1
2017	41.9
Thereafter	298.9
Total	479.9
Future contractual minimum rental revenues on leases	'
Remaining three months of 2013	15.9
2014	53.4
2015	42.7
2016	32.6
2017	23.2
Thereafter	37.6
Total	$205.40

Railcar_Leasing_and_Management6

Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group (Details 4) (Leasing Group, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Future contractual minimum rental revenues on leases	'
Remaining three months of 2013	$115
2014	395.6
2015	333.3
2016	271.2
2017	206.9
Thereafter	393.6
Total	1,715.60
Operating leases other than leases with the Trusts	'
Future contractual minimum rental obligations on leases	'
Remaining three months of 2013	3.2
2014	12.8
2015	12.8
2016	12.7
2017	12.1
Thereafter	50.3
Total	103.9
Future contractual minimum rental revenues on leases	'
Remaining three months of 2013	4.7
2014	18
2015	12.4
2016	11.5
2017	8.9
Thereafter	14.5
Total	$70

Railcar_Leasing_and_Management7

Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group (Details Textual) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified				Leasing Group	Leasing Group	Leasing Group	Leasing Group	Leasing Group	Leasing Group	Leasing Group
					Wholly-owned subsidiaries	TRIP Holdings	TRL 2012	Wholly-owned qualified subsidiaries for leasing railcars from trusts	Minimum	Maximum
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group (Textual) [Abstract]	'		'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Period of lease contracts with third parties (in years)	'		'	'	'	'	'	'	'1 year	'20 years
Net book value of equipment pledged as collateral for leasing group debt	'		'	'	$2,063	$1,089.60	$666.70	'	'	'
Net book value of equipment securing capital lease obligations	'		'	'	47.7	'	'	'	'	'
Net book value of unpledged equipment	'		'	'	812.1	'	'	'	'	'
Period of railcars leased from the Trusts under operating leases (in years)	'		'	'	'	'	'	'22 years	'	'
Assets	7,258.30	[1]	6,669.90	'	'	'	'	206	'	'
Cash	'		'	'	'	'	'	84.3	'	'
Railcars	'		'	'	'	'	'	88.7	'	'
Operating lease obligations guaranteed by Trinity Industries, Inc. and certain subsidiaries	'		'	$22.90	'	'	'	'	'	'
[1]	(unaudited)

Derivative_Instruments_Details

Derivative Instruments (Details) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jul. 31, 2011

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Designated as hedging instrument

Designated as hedging instrument

Designated as hedging instrument

Designated as hedging instrument

Designated as hedging instrument

Designated as hedging instrument

Expired hedges

Expired hedges

Expired hedges

Open hedges

Open hedges

Open hedges

2006 secured railcar equipment notes

Promissory notes

TRIP Holdings warehouse loan

Promissory notes

TRIP Master Funding secured railcar equipment notes

TRIP Master Funding secured railcar equipment notes

Interest rate hedges included in balance sheet

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notional Amount

'

'

$200

$370

$788.50

$421.60

$70

$94.10

Interest Rate

'

'

4.87%

[1]

5.34%

[1]

3.60%

[1]

4.13%

[1]

2.62%

[1]

'

Liability

'

'

0

0

0

25.5

2.8

'

AOCL – loss/ (income)

22.5

34.8

-1.7

4.9

13.5

23.5

1.2

'

Noncontrolling Interest

'

'

$0

$0

$16.60

$0

$1.50

'

[1]

Weighted average fixed interest rate

Derivative_Instruments_Details1

Derivative Instruments (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Effect on interest expense - increase/(decrease)	'		'	'		'
Interest expense	$45.80		$47.80	$141.50		$143.60
Designated as hedging instrument | Expired hedges | TRIP Holdings warehouse loan	'		'	'		'
Effect on interest expense - increase/(decrease)	'		'	'		'
Expected effect during next twelve months	5.2		'	5.2		'
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Designated as hedging instrument | Expired hedges | 2006 secured railcar equipment notes	'		'	'		'
Effect on interest expense - increase/(decrease)	'		'	'		'
Interest expense	0		-0.1	-0.2		-0.3
Expected effect during next twelve months	-0.3	[1]	'	-0.3	[1]	'
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Designated as hedging instrument | Expired hedges | Promissory notes	'		'	'		'
Effect on interest expense - increase/(decrease)	'		'	'		'
Interest expense	0.8		0.8	2.4		2.5
Expected effect during next twelve months	3	[1]	'	3	[1]	'
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Designated as hedging instrument | Expired hedges | TRIP Holdings warehouse loan	'		'	'		'
Effect on interest expense - increase/(decrease)	'		'	'		'
Interest expense	1.3		1.5	4.8		4.5
Expected effect during next twelve months	5.2	[1]	'	5.2	[1]	'
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Designated as hedging instrument | Open hedges | Promissory notes	'		'	'		'
Effect on interest expense - increase/(decrease)	'		'	'		'
Interest expense	4		4.3	12		12.7
Expected effect during next twelve months	16	[1]	'	16	[1]	'
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Designated as hedging instrument | Open hedges | TRIP Master Funding secured railcar equipment notes	'		'	'		'
Effect on interest expense - increase/(decrease)	'		'	'		'
Interest expense	0.4		0.5	1.3		1.5
Expected effect during next twelve months	$1.50	[1]	'	$1.50	[1]	'
[1]	Based on the fair value of open hedges as of September 30, 2013

Derivative_Instruments_Details2

Derivative Instruments (Details 2) (Designated as hedging instrument, USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Fuel hedges	'		'		'		'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Effect on operating income - increase/(decrease)	($0.10)	[1]	$0.60	[1]	$0	[1]	$0.60	[1]
Effect of mark-to-market valuation	'		'		'		'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Effect on operating income - increase/(decrease)	0	[1]	0.6	[1]	0	[1]	0.6	[1]
Settlements	'		'		'		'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Effect on operating income - increase/(decrease)	-0.1	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Foreign exchange hedges	'		'		'		'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Effect on operating income - increase/(decrease)	$0	[2]	$0	[2]	$0	[2]	($0.40)	[2]
[1]	Included in cost of revenues in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations
[2]	Included in other, net in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations

Derivative_Instruments_Details3

Derivative Instruments (Details Textual) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jul. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified			Designated as hedging instrument	Designated as hedging instrument	Designated as hedging instrument	Designated as hedging instrument	Designated as hedging instrument	Designated as hedging instrument	Designated as hedging instrument
			Expired hedges	Expired hedges	Expired hedges	Open hedges	Open hedges	Open hedges	Foreign exchange hedges
			2006 secured railcar equipment notes	Promissory notes	TRIP Holdings warehouse loan	Promissory notes	TRIP Master Funding secured railcar equipment notes	TRIP Master Funding secured railcar equipment notes
Derivative Instruments (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Notional amount	'	'	$200	$370	$788.50	$421.60	$70	$94.10	'
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges which is being amortized to income (loss)	'	'	4.5	-24.5	'	'	'	'	'
Expected effect during next twelve months	'	'	'	'	5.2	'	'	'	'
Remaining AOCL balance of foreign exchange hedges with quarterly maturities	$22.50	$34.80	($1.70)	$4.90	$13.50	$23.50	$1.20	'	$0

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D

Property, Plant, and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Components of property, plant, and equipment	'		'
Less accumulated depreciation	($1,491.90)	[1]	($1,343)
Property, plant, and equipment, net before adjustment to net deferred profit	5,349.90		4,861.70
Net deferred profit on railcars sold to the Leasing Group	-648.6		-562.7
Property, plant, and equipment, net	4,701.30	[1]	4,299
Partially-owned subsidiaries	'		'
Components of property, plant, and equipment	'		'
Less accumulated depreciation	-189.4	[1]	-153.8
Manufacturing/Corporate	'		'
Components of property, plant, and equipment	'		'
Property, plant and equipment	1,395.30		1,260.10
Less accumulated depreciation	-766.3		-720.8
Property, plant, and equipment, net before adjustment to net deferred profit	629		539.3
Leasing Group	'		'
Components of property, plant, and equipment	'		'
Net deferred profit on railcars sold to the Leasing Group	-648.6		-562.7
Leasing Group | Wholly-owned subsidiaries	'		'
Components of property, plant, and equipment	'		'
Property, plant and equipment	3,500.80		3,241.50
Less accumulated depreciation	-536.2		-468.4
Property, plant, and equipment, net before adjustment to net deferred profit	2,964.60		2,773.10
Leasing Group | Partially-owned subsidiaries	'		'
Components of property, plant, and equipment	'		'
Property, plant, and equipment, net before adjustment to net deferred profit	1,756.30		1,549.30
Land | Manufacturing/Corporate	'		'
Components of property, plant, and equipment	'		'
Property, plant and equipment	42.5		37.7
Buildings and improvements | Manufacturing/Corporate	'		'
Components of property, plant, and equipment	'		'
Property, plant and equipment	453		431
Machinery and other | Manufacturing/Corporate	'		'
Components of property, plant, and equipment	'		'
Property, plant and equipment	842.5		745.3
Machinery and other | Leasing Group | Wholly-owned subsidiaries	'		'
Components of property, plant, and equipment	'		'
Property, plant and equipment	10.1		9.6
Construction in progress | Manufacturing/Corporate	'		'
Components of property, plant, and equipment	'		'
Property, plant and equipment	57.3		46.1
Equipment on lease | Leasing Group | Wholly-owned subsidiaries	'		'
Components of property, plant, and equipment	'		'
Property, plant and equipment	3,490.70		3,231.90
Equipment on lease | Leasing Group | Partially-owned subsidiaries	'		'
Components of property, plant, and equipment	'		'
Property, plant and equipment	1,945.70		1,703.10
Less accumulated depreciation	($189.40)		($153.80)
[1]	(unaudited)

Goodwill_Details

Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill by Segment	'		'
Goodwill	$250.80	[1]	$240.40	[2]
Rail Group	'		'
Goodwill by Segment	'		'
Goodwill	122.5		122.5	[2]
Construction Products Group	'		'
Goodwill by Segment	'		'
Goodwill	112.4		105.2	[2]
Energy Equipment Group	'		'
Goodwill by Segment	'		'
Goodwill	14.1		10.9	[2]
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group	'		'
Goodwill by Segment	'		'
Goodwill	$1.80		$1.80	[2]
[1]	(unaudited)
[2]	(as reported)

Warranties_Details

Warranties (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Changes in the accruals for warranties	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	$13.50	$13.80	$12.50	$13.50
Warranty costs incurred	-1.6	-1.1	-4.6	-5
Warranty originations and revisions	3.9	2.6	9.9	7.8
Warranty expirations	-1	-0.6	-3	-1.6
Ending balance	$14.80	$14.70	$14.80	$14.70

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Components of debt	'		'
Less: unamortized discount	($77.60)	[1]	($87.50)
Total debt	3,021.10	[1]	3,055
Notes payable	1,332.20	[1]	1,404.20
Carrying Value	'		'
Components of debt	'		'
Total debt	3,021.10		3,055
Recourse	'		'
Components of debt	'		'
Less: unamortized discount	-77.6		-87.5
Total debt	416.2		458.1
Recourse | Carrying Value	'		'
Components of debt	'		'
Total debt	416.2		458.1
Non-recourse	'		'
TRIP Holdings senior secured notes:	'		'
Less: owned by Trinity	'		-108.8
Manufacturing/Corporate	'		'
Components of debt	'		'
Total debt	373.3		363.7
Manufacturing/Corporate | Recourse	'		'
Components of debt	'		'
Less: unamortized discount	-77.6		-87.5
Total debt	373.3		363.7
Manufacturing/Corporate | Recourse | Carrying Value	'		'
Components of debt	'		'
Revolving credit facility	0		0
Convertible subordinated notes	450		450
Less: unamortized discount	-77.6		-87.5
Convertible subordinated notes, net	372.4		362.5
Other	0.9		1.2
Total debt	373.3		363.7
Manufacturing/Corporate | Non-recourse	'		'
TRIP Holdings senior secured notes:	'		'
Less: owned by Trinity	'		0
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | Wholly-owned subsidiaries	'		'
Components of debt	'		'
Total debt	1,375.10		1,498.60
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | Partially-owned subsidiaries	'		'
Components of debt	'		'
Total debt	1,272.70		1,192.70
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | Recourse | Carrying Value	'		'
Components of debt	'		'
Total debt	42.9		94.4
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | Recourse | Capital lease obligations | Carrying Value	'		'
Components of debt	'		'
Capital lease obligations	42.9		45.8
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | Recourse | Term loan | Carrying Value	'		'
Components of debt	'		'
Loans payable	0		48.6
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | Recourse | Wholly-owned subsidiaries	'		'
Components of debt	'		'
Less: unamortized discount	0		0
Total debt	42.9		94.4
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | Recourse | Partially-owned subsidiaries	'		'
Components of debt	'		'
Less: unamortized discount	0		0
Total debt	0		0
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | Non-recourse | Carrying Value	'		'
Components of debt	'		'
Total debt	2,604.90		2,596.90
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | Non-recourse | Wholly-owned subsidiaries	'		'
TRIP Holdings senior secured notes:	'		'
Less: owned by Trinity	'		0
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | Non-recourse | Wholly-owned subsidiaries | Carrying Value	'		'
Components of debt	'		'
Total debt	1,332.20		1,404.20
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | Non-recourse | Wholly-owned subsidiaries | 2006 secured railcar equipment notes | Carrying Value	'		'
Components of debt	'		'
Notes payable	244.7		255.8
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | Non-recourse | Wholly-owned subsidiaries | Promissory notes | Carrying Value	'		'
Components of debt	'		'
Notes payable	403.5		424.1
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | Non-recourse | Wholly-owned subsidiaries | 2009 secured railcar equipment notes | Carrying Value	'		'
Components of debt	'		'
Notes payable	201.6		209.2
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | Non-recourse | Wholly-owned subsidiaries | 2010 secured railcar equipment notes | Carrying Value	'		'
Components of debt	'		'
Notes payable	330.4		341.5
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | Non-recourse | Wholly-owned subsidiaries | TILC warehouse facility | Carrying Value	'		'
Components of debt	'		'
Loans payable	152		173.6
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | Non-recourse | Partially-owned subsidiaries	'		'
TRIP Holdings senior secured notes:	'		'
Less: owned by Trinity	'		-108.8
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | Non-recourse | Partially-owned subsidiaries | Carrying Value	'		'
Components of debt	'		'
Total debt	1,272.70		1,192.70
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | Non-recourse | Partially-owned subsidiaries | TRL 2012 secured railcar equipment notes - RIV 2013 | Carrying Value	'		'
Components of debt	'		'
Notes payable	505.6		333.8
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | Non-recourse | Partially-owned subsidiaries | TRIP Master Funding secured railcar equipment notes | Carrying Value	'		'
Components of debt	'		'
Notes payable	767.1		797.7
Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | Non-recourse | Partially-owned subsidiaries | TRIP Holdings senior secured notes | Carrying Value	'		'
TRIP Holdings senior secured notes:	'		'
Total outstanding	0		170
Less: owned by Trinity	0		-108.8
TRIP Holdings senior secured notes	$0		$61.20
[1]	(unaudited)

Debt_Details_1

Debt (Details 1) (Recourse, Convertible Subordinated Notes, USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Recourse | Convertible Subordinated Notes	'	'	'	'
Total interest expense recognized on the Convertible Subordinated Notes	'	'	'	'
Coupon rate interest	$4.40	$4.40	$13.10	$13.10
Amortized debt discount	3.4	3.1	9.9	9.1
Total interest expense recognized on the Convertible Subordinated Notes	$7.80	$7.50	$23	$22.20

Debt_Details_2

Debt (Details 2) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Remaining principal payments under existing debt agreements	'
Remaining three months of 2013	$34.70
2014	135.3
2015	180.8
2016	546.5
2017	91.6
Thereafter	2,109.80
Recourse | Manufacturing/Corporate	'
Remaining principal payments under existing debt agreements	'
Remaining three months of 2013	0
2014	0.2
2015	0.2
2016	0.2
2017	0.3
Thereafter	450
Recourse | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | Capital lease obligations	'
Remaining principal payments under existing debt agreements	'
Remaining three months of 2013	0.7
2014	3.1
2015	3.3
2016	3.5
2017	3.7
Thereafter	28.6
Non-recourse | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | 2006 secured railcar equipment notes	'
Remaining principal payments under existing debt agreements	'
Remaining three months of 2013	4
2014	16.9
2015	18.6
2016	21.9
2017	24.1
Thereafter	159.2
Non-recourse | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | Promissory notes	'
Remaining principal payments under existing debt agreements	'
Remaining three months of 2013	7.3
2014	26.1
2015	23.9
2016	346.2
2017	0
Thereafter	0
Non-recourse | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | 2009 secured railcar equipment notes	'
Remaining principal payments under existing debt agreements	'
Remaining three months of 2013	2.6
2014	9.9
2015	9.6
2016	6.5
2017	6.3
Thereafter	166.7
Non-recourse | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | 2010 secured railcar equipment notes	'
Remaining principal payments under existing debt agreements	'
Remaining three months of 2013	3.5
2014	14
2015	15.3
2016	15
2017	13.7
Thereafter	268.9
Non-recourse | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | TILC warehouse facility - facility termination payments	'
Remaining principal payments under existing debt agreements	'
Remaining three months of 2013	0
2014	0
2015	50.7
2016	101.3
2017	0
Thereafter	0
Non-recourse | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | TRL 2012 secured railcar equipment notes - RIV 2013	'
Remaining principal payments under existing debt agreements	'
Remaining three months of 2013	6.3
2014	25
2015	23.5
2016	22.6
2017	23.1
Thereafter	405.1
Non-recourse | Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group | TRIP Master Funding secured railcar equipment notes	'
Remaining principal payments under existing debt agreements	'
Remaining three months of 2013	10.3
2014	40.1
2015	35.7
2016	29.3
2017	20.4
Thereafter	$631.30

Debt_Details_Textual

Debt (Details Textual) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013
	Recourse	Recourse	Recourse	Non-recourse	Non-recourse
	Corporate revolving credit facility	Convertible Subordinated Notes	Convertible Subordinated Notes	TILC warehouse facility	Series 2013-1 Secured Railcar Equipment Notes
				installments	TRL 2012
Debt (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Revolving credit facility	$425	'	'	$475	'
Maturity date of credit facility	20-Oct-16	'	'	'	'
Used revolving credit facility for letters of credit	72.6	'	'	'	'
Availability of the revolving credit facility	352.4	'	'	323	'
Borrowing under revolving credit facility exclusive of letters of credit	0	'	'	'	'
Letter of credit expiring in current year	1.5	'	'	'	'
Credit facility, description of variable rate reference rate basis	'Libor	'	'	'	'
Percentage points added to Libor to compute interest rates on the credit facility	1.50%	'	'	'	'
Credit facility, description of variable rate reference rate basis, alternative computation	'prime	'	'	'	'
Percentage points added to prime to compute interest rates on the credit facility, alternative computation	0.50%	'	'	'	'
Capital in excess of par value related to the convertible subordinated notes' conversion options	'	92.8	92.8	'	'
Date through which debt discount is being amortized	'	1-Jun-18	'	'	'
Effective annual interest rate yield based upon the estimated market interest rate	'	8.42%	'	'	'
Conversion price of convertible subordinated notes (in dollars per share)	'	$50.88	'	'	'
Number of shares issuable in exchange of Convertible Subordinated Notes (in shares)	'	8,844,340	'	'	'
Number of shares that would have been issued if the Convertible Subordinated Notes had been converted (in shares)	'	0	'	'	'
Credit facility, amount outstanding	'	'	'	152	'
Interest at a defined index rate plus a margin for advances under the facility	'	'	'	1.94%	'
Maturity date	'	'	'	'June 2015	'
Number of installments payable for amounts outstanding at maturity, absent renewal	'	'	'	3	'
Installment payable date, installment one	'	'	'	'December 2015	'
Installment payable date, installment two	'	'	'	'June 2016	'
Installment payable date, installment three	'	'	'	'December 2016	'
Face value of debt instrument	'	'	'	'	$183.40
Interest rate on notes	'	'	'	'	3.90%
Maturity date	'	'	'	'	15-Jul-43

Other_Net_Details

Other, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Other, net (income) expense	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency exchange transactions	($0.10)	($0.40)	$0.40	($1.80)
Gain on equity investments	0	-0.2	-0.2	-0.3
Other	-0.4	-0.9	-2.5	-2.4
Other, net	-0.5	-1.5	-2.3	-4.5
Income related to the change in fair value of certain equity repurchase agreements	'	'	$1.70	'

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Reconciliation between the statutory United States Federal income tax rate and the Company's effective income tax rate	'	'	'	'
Statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State taxes	2.50%	2.00%	2.30%	2.00%
Domestic production activities deduction	-2.70%	0.00%	-1.60%	0.00%
Noncontrolling interest	-1.00%	0.00%	-0.90%	0.00%
Tax assessments and settlements	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	-0.80%
Changes in valuation allowance and reserves	-3.00%	-1.60%	-1.20%	-0.60%
Foreign tax adjustments	0.00%	-1.00%	0.00%	-0.60%
State adjustments	3.20%	0.00%	1.20%	0.00%
Other, net	0.20%	-0.30%	0.10%	-0.10%
Effective rate	34.20%	34.10%	34.90%	34.90%

Income_Taxes_Details_1

Income Taxes (Details 1) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Change in unrecognized tax benefits	'	'
Beginning balance	$48.70	$52.50
Additions for tax positions related to the current year	3.4	3.1
Additions for tax positions of prior years	1.9	0
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	0	-1.1
Settlements	-0.1	-3.4
Expiration of statute of limitations	-0.1	-0.8
Ending balance	$53.80	$50.30

Income_Taxes_Details_Textual

Income Taxes (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Tax benefit recognized on changes in net state tax reserves	'	$1.50	'	$1.80	'
Adjustment to net deferred tax liability for state tax filing responsibilities	5.1	'	'	'	'
Additions for tax positions related to the current year	'	'	3.4	3.1	'
Additions for tax positions of prior years	'	'	1.9	0	'
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	'	'	0	1.1	'
Unrecognized tax benefits including interest and penalties that would affect the Company's effective tax rate if recognized	13.9	15.9	13.9	15.9	'
Total accrued interest and penalties	11	'	11	'	10.3
Increase (decrease) in income tax expense related to interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits	0.2	-1.3	0.7	-2.1	'
Lapse in Statute of Limitations	'	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Reasonably possible change to unrecognized tax benefits within twelve months	$4.50	'	$4.50	'	'
Swiss subsidiary	'	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Number of subsidiaries	'	'	2	'	'
General period of statute of limitations in Switzerland	'	'	'5 years	'	'
Extended period of statute of limitations in Switzerland	'	'	'15 years	'	'

Employee_Retirement_Plans_Deta

Employee Retirement Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Components of Net Retirement Cost	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$0.30	$0.20	$0.80	$0.60
Interest	4.6	4.9	13.9	14.6
Expected return on plan assets	-6.6	-5.7	-19.9	-17.1
Amortization of actuarial loss	1.2	0.7	3.7	2.5
Prior service cost	0	0.1	0	0.1
Defined benefit expense	-0.5	0.2	-1.5	0.7
Profit sharing	3.1	3.1	9.5	8.9
Net expense	$2.60	$3.30	$8	$9.60

Employee_Retirement_Plans_Deta1

Employee Retirement Plans (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Actual employer contributions to defined benefit plans	$6.70	$3.60	$14.80	$13.80
Expected full year contributions by the employer to defined benefit plans	'	'	$18.90	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss	'		'	'		'
Currency translation adjustments, Beginning Balance	'		'	($16.50)		'
Currency translation adjustments, Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	'		'	0		'
Currency translation adjustments, Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax benefit of $0.0	'		'	0		'
Currency translation adjustments, Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, tax benefit	'		'	0		'
Currency translation adjustments, Less: noncontrolling interest	'		'	0		'
Currency translation adjustments, Other comprehensive income	'		'	0		'
Currency translation adjustments, Ending Balance	-16.5		'	-16.5		'
Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments, Beginning Balance	'		'	-34.8		'
Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments, Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	-0.4		1.5	0.4		3.4
Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments, Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax benefit of $6.8	4.4		1.3	13.7		3.9
Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments, Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, tax benefit	2		1	6.8		2.9
Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments, Less: noncontrolling interest	'		'	-3.2		'
Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments, Other comprehensive income	'		'	10.9		'
Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments, Sale of interests in partially-owned leasing subsidiaries	'		'	13.2		'
Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments, Repurchase of interests in partially-owned leasing subsidiary	'		'	-11.8		'
Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments, Ending Balance	-22.5		'	-22.5		'
Net actuarial gains/(losses) of defined benefit plans, Beginning Balance	'		'	-98.8		'
Net actuarial gains/(losses) of defined benefit plans, Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	'		'	0		'
Net actuarial gains/(losses) of defined benefit plans, Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax benefit of $1.4	0.8		0.5	2.3		1.6
Net actuarial gains/(losses) of defined benefit plans, Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, tax benefit	0.4		0.2	1.4		0.9
Net actuarial gains/(losses) of defined benefit plans, Less: noncontrolling interest	'		'	0		'
Net actuarial gains/(losses) of defined benefit plans, Other comprehensive income	'		'	2.3		'
Net actuarial gains/(losses) of defined benefit plans, Ending Balance	-96.5		'	-96.5		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Beginning Balance	'		'	-150.1		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	'		'	0.4		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax benefit of $8.2	'		'	16		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, tax benefit	'		'	8.2		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Less: noncontrolling interest	'		'	-3.2		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Other comprehensive income	'		'	13.2		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Ending Balance	-135.5	[1]	'	-135.5	[1]	'
Cost of revenues	'		'	'		'
Accumualted Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'	'		'
Before-tax reclassification of net actuarial gains/(losses) of defined benefit plans included in cost of revenues	'		'	$3		'
[1]	(unaudited)

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	$12.20	$7.90	$31.10	$20.40

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Deta

Earnings Per Common Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net Income Per Common Share (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Total weighted average restricted shares and antidilutive stock options (in shares)	3.7	3.3	3.5	3.2
Computation of basic and diluted net income attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc	'	'	'	'
Net income from continuing operations	$105.80	$62.40	$267.20	$180.90
Less: net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interest	6.5	-0.1	10.4	-1
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc.	99.3	62.5	256.8	181.9
Unvested restricted share participation	-3.3	-2	-8.2	-6
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc. – basic	96	60.5	248.6	175.9
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc. - basic, Average Shares	76.1	76.5	76.7	77.3
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc. - basic, EPS	$1.26	$0.79	$3.24	$2.28
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'	'	'
Stock options, Income (Loss)	0	0	0	0
Stock options, Average Shares	0.1	0.2	0.1	0.2
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc. – diluted	96	60.5	248.6	175.9
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc. - diluted, Average Shares	76.2	76.7	76.8	77.5
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Trinity Industries, Inc. - diluted, EPS	$1.26	$0.79	$3.24	$2.27
Net income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0.3	0.7	5.9	2
Unvested restricted share participation	0	0	-0.2	-0.1
Net income from discontinued operations, net of taxes – basic	0.3	0.7	5.7	1.9
Net income from discontinued operations, net of taxes - basic, EPS	$0	$0.01	$0.07	$0.02
Net income from discontinued operations, net of taxes – diluted	$0.30	$0.70	$5.70	$1.90
Net income from discontinued operations, net of taxes - diluted, EPS	$0	$0.01	$0.07	$0.02

Contingencies_Details

Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
	Railcar
Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]	'
Total accruals	$19.70
Number of tank cars to be voluntarily recertified by Company	948
Minimum possible loss	8
Maximum possible loss	33.3
Highway Products litigation	'
Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]	'
Total accruals	0
Environmental and workplace matters	'
Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]	'
Total accruals	$10
Minimum	'
Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]	'
Percent of tankcars recertified by Company	75.00%
Inspection cycle for tank cars in service	'3 years
Maximum	'
Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]	'
Inspection cycle for tank cars in service	'5 years