UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Form 8-K

Current Report

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) November 9, 2004

THE GREENBRIER COMPANIES, INC.

Commission File No. 1-13146

(503) 684-7000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Former name or former address, if changed since last report: N/A

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Table of Contents

Item 8.01 Other Events

On November 9, 2004, the Board of Directors of the Company amended the Rights Agreement between the Company and EquiServe Trust Company, N.A. executed as of July 13, 2004 (the “Rights Agreement”) by adopting a technical amendment, Amendment No. 1 attached hereto, and also ratified, reconfirmed and re-approved the Rights Agreement, as amended.

Attached as Exhibit 4.2 and incorporated by reference herein is a copy of Amendment No. 1 to the Rights Agreement.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

     (c) Exhibits:

     4.1 Rights Agreement dated as of July 13, 2004 between the Company and EquiServe Trust Company, N.A. incorporated herein by reference to the registration statement on Form 8-A filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 16, 2004.

     4.2 Amendment No.1 to Rights Agreement dated as of July 13, 2004 between the Company and EquiServe Trust Company, N.A.

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.