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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Tf5Ji9osIUhh2/UYGy1LXLbnY7KtMk501AK1QiQHawLmATWyZJpcJb7wjHgVz+DE
 /6NU5c8tE1HQ2QBY/PsGhg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000099780-04-000004.txt : 20040105
<SEC-HEADER>0000099780-04-000004.hdr.sgml : 20040105
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040105150429
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000099780-04-000004
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040105

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GALT BARRY J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001144843

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06903
		FILM NUMBER:		04504210

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1001 FANNIN STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1600
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77002-6794

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1001 FANNIN STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1600
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77002-6794

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TRINITY INDUSTRIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000099780
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RAILROAD EQUIPMENT [3743]
		IRS NUMBER:				750225040
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2525 STEMMONS FREEWAY
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75207-2401
		BUSINESS PHONE:		214-631-4420

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	TRINITY STEEL CO INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19720407
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-12-31</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000099780</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TRINITY INDUSTRIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NYSE/TRN</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001144843</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GALT BARRY J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2525 STEMMONS FREEWAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DALLAS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>75207</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Trinity Phantom Stock Units</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><footnoteId id="F1"/></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-12-31</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>557</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>30.84</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F1"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F1"/></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><
underlyingSecurityShares><value>557</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>15959</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">The Trinity Phantom Stock Units were accrued under the Trinity Industries, Inc. Deferred Plan for Directors Fees.  Stock units are converted at   &quot;1 - for - 1&quot; (a rate of one stock unit per one share of Trinity common stock).  Settlement of the account will be in cash after the reporting person's retirement. </footnote></footnotes><remarks/><ownerSignature><signatureName>Michael G. Fortado  For:  Barry J. Galt</signatureName><signatureDate>2004-01-05</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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