THE GREENBRIER COMPANIES, INC.

                                                                    EXHIBIT 32.1

                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

         In connection with the quarterly report of The Greenbrier Companies,
Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended February 29,
2004 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date therein
specified (the "Report"), I, William A. Furman, President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company, certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1.       The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
         15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2.       The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
         material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of
         the Company.

Date:  April 13, 2004

/s/ William A. Furman
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William A. Furman
President and Chief Executive Officer