FreightCar America (RAIL) 10-Q 8 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Central Index Key	1320854
Entity Registrant Name	FreightCar America, Inc.
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		12,318,935

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$41,675	$113,532
Restricted cash and restricted certificates of deposit	6,347	6,015
Marketable securities	47,981	47,961
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $85 and $188, respectively	7,245	4,086
Inventories, net	159,677	82,259
Inventory on lease	0	116
Other current assets	10,916	7,057
Deferred income taxes, net	10,556	12,139
Total current assets	284,397	273,165
Property, plant and equipment, net	44,627	43,239
Railcars available for lease, net	16,368	22,897
Goodwill	22,128	22,128
Deferred income taxes, net	24,112	21,553
Other long-term assets	2,004	2,270
Total assets	393,636	385,252
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Accounts and contractual payables	44,453	34,010
Accrued payroll and employee benefits	3,634	6,462
Accrued postretirement benefits	409	409
Accrued warranty	8,279	8,742
Customer deposits	42,170	43,977
Other current liabilities	5,756	4,725
Total current liabilities	104,701	98,325
Accrued pension costs	7,028	7,210
Accrued postretirement benefits, less current portion	74,138	73,474
Deferred income - state incentives long-term	4,031	0
Accrued taxes and other long-term liabilities	7,554	7,548
Total liabilities	197,452	186,557
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 2,500,000 shares authorized (100,000 shares each designated as Series A voting and Series B non-voting, 0 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014)	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 12,731,678 shares issued at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014	127	127
Additional paid in capital	98,629	100,303
Treasury stock, at cost, 620,105 and 665,869 shares at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	-27,810	-29,971
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-23,852	-24,017
Retained earnings	149,090	152,253
Total stockholders' equity	196,184	198,695
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$393,636	$385,252

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	$85	$188
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	2,500,000	2,500,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	0	0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	0
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.01	$0.01
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	12,731,678	12,731,678
Treasury Stock, Shares	620,105	665,869
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	100,000	100,000
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	100,000	100,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Revenues	$92,804	$56,086
Cost of sales	88,251	59,238
Gross profit (loss)	4,553	-3,152
Selling, general and administrative expenses	8,843	8,403
Gain on sale of railcars available for lease	-1,187	-14
Operating loss	-3,103	-11,541
Interest expense and deferred financing costs	-70	-286
Other income	52	28
Loss before income taxes	-3,121	-11,799
Income tax benefit	-1,048	-4,850
Net loss	($2,073)	($6,949)
Net loss per common share - basic	($0.17)	($0.58)
Net loss per common share - diluted	($0.17)	($0.58)
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	12,020,622	11,989,527
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	12,020,622	11,989,527
Dividends declared per common share	$0.09	$0.06

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Net loss	($2,073)	($6,949)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Pension liability adjustments, net of tax	63	34
Postretirement liability adjustments, net of tax	102	99
Other comprehensive income	165	133
Comprehensive loss	($1,908)	($6,816)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Total
In Thousands, except Share data
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$127	$99,265	($30,970)	($15,132)	$149,245	$202,535
Balance (Shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	12,731,678		-682,264
Net loss					-6,949	-6,949
Other comprehensive income				133		133
Stock options exercised		-119	245			126
Stock options exercised, shares			5,400
Restricted stock awards		-424	424			0
Restricted stock awards, shares			9,400
Employee restricted stock settlement			-210			-210
Employee restricted stock settlement, shares			-8,236
Stock-based compensation recognized		540				540
Cash dividends					-723	-723
Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	127	99,262	-30,511	-14,999	141,573	195,452
Balance (Shares) at Mar. 31, 2014	12,731,678		-675,700
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	127	100,303	-29,971	-24,017	152,253	198,695
Balance (Shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	12,731,678		-665,869
Net loss					-2,073	-2,073
Other comprehensive income				165		165
Restricted stock awards		-2,286	2,286			0
Restricted stock awards, shares			50,787
Forfeiture of restricted stock awards		9	-9			0
Forfeiture of restricted stock awards, shares			-290
Employee restricted stock settlement			-116			-116
Employee restricted stock settlement, shares			-4,733
Stock-based compensation recognized		603				603
Cash dividends					-1,090	-1,090
Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$127	$98,629	($27,810)	($23,852)	$149,090	$196,184
Balance (Shares) at Mar. 31, 2015	12,731,678		-620,105

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	($2,073)	($6,949)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows used in operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	2,224	2,494
Gain on sale of railcars available for lease	-1,187	-14
Deferred income taxes	-1,075	-4,899
Stock-based compensation recognized	603	540
Other non-cash items, net	908	438
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	-3,159	-4,666
Inventories	-78,325	-17,047
Inventory on lease	116	-8,721
Other assets	-3,439	-1,070
Accounts and contractual payables	11,274	3,644
Accrued payroll and employee benefits	-2,828	535
Income taxes receivable/payable	-335	115
Accrued warranty	-463	82
Customer deposits and other liabilities	-1,393	-10,602
Accrued pension costs and accrued postretirement benefits	647	487
Net cash flows used in operating activities	-78,505	-45,633
Cash flows from investing activities
Restricted cash withdrawals	0	2,553
Purchase of restricted certificates of deposit	-627	0
Maturity of restricted certificates of deposit	295	0
Purchase of securities held to maturity	-5,993	-20,993
Proceeds from maturity of securities	6,000	6,000
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and railcars available for lease	7,580	50
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-4,308	-2,511
State incentives received	4,907	0
Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities	7,854	-14,901
Cash flows from financing activities
Stock option exercise	0	126
Employee restricted stock settlement	-116	-210
Cash dividends paid to stockholders	-1,090	-723
Reduction in customer advance for production of leased railcars	0	-345
Net cash flows used in financing activities	-1,206	-1,152
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-71,857	-61,686
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	113,532	145,506
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	41,675	83,820
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid	64	16
Income taxes paid	479	0
Income tax refunds received	$0	$0

Description_of_the_Business

Description of the Business	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Description of the Business [Abstract]
Description of the Business	Note 1 – Description of the Business
	FreightCar America, Inc. ("FreightCar") operates primarily in North America through its direct and indirect subsidiaries, JAC Operations, Inc. ("Operations"), Johnstown America, LLC ("JA LLC"), Freight Car Services, Inc. ("FCS"), JAIX Leasing Company ("JAIX"), FreightCar Roanoke, LLC ("FCR"), FreightCar Mauritius Ltd. ("Mauritius"), FreightCar Rail Services, LLC ("FCRS"), FreightCar Short Line, Inc. ("Short Line") and FreightCar Alabama, LLC ("FCAL") (herein collectively referred to as the "Company"), and manufactures a wide range of railroad freight cars, supplies railcar parts, leases freight cars and provides railcar maintenance and repairs. The Company designs and builds high-quality railcars, including coal cars, bulk commodity cars, covered hopper cars, intermodal and non-intermodal flat cars, mill gondola cars, coil steel cars and boxcars. The Company is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and has facilities in the following locations: Cherokee, Alabama; Danville, Illinois; Grand Island, Nebraska; Hastings, Nebraska; Johnstown, Pennsylvania; and Roanoke, Virginia.
	The Company's operations comprise two reportable segments, Manufacturing and Services.  The Company and its direct and indirect subsidiaries are all Delaware corporations or Delaware limited liability companies except Mauritius, which is incorporated in Mauritius.  The Company's direct and indirect subsidiaries are all wholly owned.

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Note 2 – Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of FreightCar America, Inc. and subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The foregoing financial information has been prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for interim financial reporting. The preparation of the financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The accompanying interim financial information is unaudited; however, the Company believes the financial information reflects all adjustments (consisting of items of a normal recurring nature) necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with GAAP. The 2014 year-end balance sheet data was derived from the audited financial statements as of December 31, 2014. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the Company's annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements contained in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Note 3 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update "ASU" 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which changes the presentation of debt issuance costs in financial statements. ASU 2015-03 requires an entity to present such costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of the debt issuance costs will continue to be reported as interest expense. This standard is effective retrospectively for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 (early adoption is permitted). The adoption of these changes is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.
	In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810) Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, which changes the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. The new guidance affects the following areas: (1) limited partnerships and similar legal entities; (2) evaluating fees paid to a decision maker or a service provider as a variable interest; (3) the effect of fee arrangements on the primary beneficiary determination; (4) the effect of related parties on the primary beneficiary determination; and (5) certain investment funds. This standard is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity early adopts the guidance in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. A reporting entity may apply the amendments in this guidance using a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. A reporting entity also may apply the amendments retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 605, Revenue Recognition.  ASU 2014-09 provides for a single five-step model to be applied to all revenue contracts with customers.  ASU 2014-09 also requires additional financial statement disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments.  ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period and may be adopted either retrospectively or on a modified retrospective basis whereby the new standard would be applied to new contracts and existing contracts with remaining performance obligations as of the effective date, with a cumulative catch-up adjustment recorded to beginning retained earnings at the effective date for existing contracts with remaining performance obligations.  Early adoption is not permitted.  On April 1, 2015, the FASB proposed deferring the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.  The FASB also proposed permitting early adoption of the standard, but early adoption could not be before the original effective date.  The Company is currently evaluating the methods of adoption allowed by the new standard and the effect that the standard is expected to have on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows and related disclosures.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Information [Abstract]
Segment Information	Note 4 - Segment Information
	The Companys operations comprise two reportable segments, Manufacturing and Services. The Companys Manufacturing segment includes new railcar manufacturing, used railcar sales, railcar leasing and major railcar rebuilds. The Companys Services segment includes general railcar repair and maintenance, inspections and parts sales. Corporate includes selling, general and administrative expenses not related to production of goods and services, retiree pension and other postretirement benefit costs, and all other non-operating activity.
	Segment operating income is an internal performance measure used by the Companys Chief Operating Decision Maker to assess the performance of each segment in a given period. Segment operating income includes all external revenues attributable to the segments as well as operating costs and income that management believes are directly attributable to the current production of goods and services. The Companys management reporting package does not include interest revenue, interest expense or income taxes allocated to individual segments and these items are not considered as a component of segment operating income. Segment assets represent operating assets and exclude intersegment accounts, deferred tax assets and income tax receivables. The Company does not allocate cash and cash equivalents to its operating segments as the Companys treasury function is managed at the corporate level. Intersegment revenues were not material in any period presented.
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015	2014
	Revenues:
	Manufacturing	$85,097	$48,002
	Services	7,707	8,084
	Consolidated revenues	$92,804	$56,086
	Operating income (loss):
	Manufacturing	$1,858		($5,034)
	Services	1,203		-340
	Corporate	-6,164		-6,167
	Consolidated operating loss	-3,103		-11,541
	Consolidated interest expense and deferred financing costs	-70		-286
	Consolidated other income	52		28
	Consolidated loss before income taxes	($3,121)		($11,799)
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Manufacturing		$1,446		$1,671
	Services		344		411
	Corporate		434		412
	Consolidated depreciation and amortization		$2,224		$2,494
	Capital expenditures:
	Manufacturing	$4,064		$2,242
	Services		89	175
	Corporate		155	94
	Consolidated capital expenditures		$4,308	$2,511
				March 31,	December 31,
				2015	2014
		Assets:
		Manufacturing		$231,069	$157,505
		Services		20,915	18,085
		Corporate		106,464	175,806
		Total operating assets		358,448	351,396
		Consolidated income taxes receivable		520	164
		Consolidated deferred income taxes, current		10,556	12,139
		Consolidated deferred income taxes, long-term		24,112	21,553
		Consolidated assets		$393,636	$385,252

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements
	The following table sets forth by level within the ASC 820 fair value hierarchy the Companys financial assets that were recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements	As of March 31, 2015
		Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Total
	ASSETS:
	Cash equivalents	$15,100	$             -	$            -	$15,100
	Restricted certificates of deposit	$   6,347	$             -	$            -	$   6,347
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements	As of December 31, 2014
		Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Total
	ASSETS:
	Cash equivalents	$50,070	$            -	$           -	$50,070
	Restricted certificates of deposit	$   6,015	$            -	$           -	$   6,015
	No non-financial assets were recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis at each of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

Marketable_Securities

Marketable Securities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Marketable Securities [Abstract]
Marketable Securities	Note 6 – Marketable Securities
	The Company's current investment policy is to invest in cash, certificates of deposit, U.S. treasury securities, U.S.
	government agency obligations and money market funds invested in U.S. government securities.  Marketable securities as of March 31, 2015 of $47,981 consisted of U.S. treasury securities held to maturity and certificates of deposit with original maturities of greater than 90 days and up to one year. Marketable securities as of December 31, 2014 of $47,961 consisted of U.S. treasury securities held to maturity with original maturities of greater than 90 days and up to one year.  Due to the short-term nature of these securities and their low interest rates, there is no material difference between their fair market values and amortized costs.

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventories [Abstract]
Inventories	Note 7 - Inventories
	Inventories, net of reserve for excess and obsolete items, consist of the following:
		March 31,	December 31,
		2015	2014
	Work in progress	$    129,322	$            76,453
	Finished new railcars	23,706	—
	Parts and service inventory	6,649	5,806
	Total inventories	$    159,677	$            82,259
	Inventory on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets includes reserves of $3,288 and $2,381 relating to excess and obsolete inventory for parts and work in progress at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Leased_Railcars

Leased Railcars	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Leased Railcars [Abstract]
Leased Railcars	Note 8 - Leased Railcars
	Inventory on lease was $0 and $116 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Railcars available for lease, net at March 31, 2015 was $16,368 (cost of $19,230 and accumulated depreciation of $2,862) and at December 31, 2014 was $22,897 (cost of $26,852 and accumulated depreciation of $3,955). The Companys lease utilization rate for railcars in its lease fleet was 65% and 100% at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	Leased railcars at March 31, 2015 are subject to lease agreements with external customers with terms of up to seven years and are accounted for as operating leases.
	Future minimum rental revenues on leased railcars at March 31, 2015 are as follows:
	Nine months ending December 31, 2015	$951
	Year ending December 31, 2016	1,256
	Year ending December 31, 2017	1,256
	Year ending December 31, 2018	668
	Year ending December 31, 2019	551
	Thereafter	826
		$5,508

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	Note 9 - Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:
		March 31,	December 31,
		2015	2014
	Buildings and improvements	$10,792	$10,731
	Machinery and equipment	52,978	50,771
	Software	8,662	8,299
	Leasehold improvements	8,526	6,983
	Cost of buildings and improvements, leasehold improvements, machinery, equipment and software	80,958	76,784
	Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	-40,982	-38,747
	Buildings and improvements, leasehold improvements, machinery, equipment and software, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	39,976	38,037
	Land (including easements)	1,976	1,976
	Construction in process	2,675	3,226
	Total property, plant and equipment, net	$44,627	$43,239

Intangible_Assets_and_Goodwill

Intangible Assets and Goodwill	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Abstract]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill	Note 10 – Intangible Assets and Goodwill
	Intangible assets consist of the following:
		March 31,	December 31,
		2015	2014
	Patents	$13,097	$13,097
	Accumulated amortization	-12,295	-12,147
	Patents, net of accumulated amortization	802	950
	Customer-related intangibles	1,194	1,194
	Accumulated amortization	-517	-491
	Customer-related intangibles, net of accumulated amortization	677	703
	Total amortizing intangibles	$1,479	$1,653
	Manufacturing segment goodwill	$21,521	$21,521
	Services segment goodwill	607	607
	Total goodwill	$22,128	$22,128
	Patents are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their remaining legal life from the date of acquisition. The weighted average remaining life of the Company's patents is approximately two years. Amortization expense related to patents, which is included in cost of sales, was $148 for each of the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. Customer-related intangibles are being amortized from the date of acquisition and have a remaining life of 16 years. Amortization expense related to customer intangibles, which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses, was $27 and $32 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	The estimated future intangible amortization at March 31, 2015 is as follows:
	Nine months ending December 31, 2015	$    524
	Year ending December 31, 2016	457
	Year ending December 31, 2017	91
	Year ending December 31, 2018	73
	Year ending December 31, 2019	60
	Thereafter	274
		$1,479

Product_Warranties

Product Warranties	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Product Warranties [Abstract]
Product Warranties	Note 11 - Product Warranties
	Warranty terms are based on the negotiated railcar sales contracts. The Company typically warrants that new railcars produced by it will be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service identified for a period of up to five years from the time of sale. The changes in the warranty reserve for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, are as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015	2014
	Balance at the beginning of the period	$8,742	$6,957
	Provision for warranties issued during the period	352	202
	Reductions for payments, cost of repairs and other	-475	-120
	Adjustments to prior warranties	-340	-
	Balance at the end of the period	$8,279	$7,039

State_Incentives

State Incentives	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
State Incentives [Abstract]
State Incentives	Note 12 – State Incentives
	The Company records state incentives when there is reasonable assurance that the incentive will be received and the Company is able to comply with the conditions attached to the incentives received. State incentives related to assets are recorded as deferred income and recognized on a straight-line basis over the useful life of the related assets.
	During the first quarter of 2015, the Company received a cash payment of $4,907 for Alabama state incentives related to the Company's capital investment and employment levels at its Cherokee, Alabama ("Shoals") facility. Under the incentive agreement, a certain portion of the incentives may be repayable by the Company to the State of Alabama if targeted levels of employment are not maintained. The Company's level of employment at its Schoals facility currently exceeds and is expected to continue to exceed the targeted level of employment. Accordingly, no repayment liability has been recorded.
	The changes in deferred income from state incentives for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, are as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015	2014
	Balance at the beginning of the period	$         —	$           —
	State incentives received during the period	4,907	—
	Amortization of state incentives as reduction of cost of sales	(175)	—
	Balance at the end of the period, including current portion	$     4,732	$           —

Revolving_Credit_Facility

Revolving Credit Facility	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]
Revolving Credit Facility	Note 13 – Revolving Credit Facility
	The Company entered into a $50,000 senior secured revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility") pursuant to a Credit Agreement dated as of July 26, 2013 (the "Credit Agreement") by and among FreightCar and certain of its subsidiaries, as borrowers (together the "Borrowers"), and Bank of America, N.A., as lender. The Revolving Credit Facility can be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had no borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Credit Agreement also contains a sub-facility for letters of credit not to exceed the lesser of $30,000 and the amount of the senior secured revolving credit facility at such time. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had $6,347 in outstanding letters of credit under the Revolving Credit Facility and therefore had $43,653 available for borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Credit Agreement has a term ending on July 26, 2016 and revolving loans outstanding thereunder will bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 1.50% or at a base rate, as selected by the Company. Base rate loans will bear interest at the highest of (a) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (b) the prime rate or (c) LIBOR plus 1.00%. The Company is required to pay a non-utilization fee of between 0.10% and 0.30% on the unused portion of the revolving loan commitment depending on the Company's quarterly average balance of unrestricted cash and the Company's consolidated leverage ratio. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility are secured by a first priority perfected security interest in substantially all of the Borrowers' assets excluding railcars held by the Company's railcar leasing subsidiary, JAIX. The Borrowers also have pledged all of the equity interests in the Company's direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries as security for the Revolving Credit Facility. The Credit Agreement has both affirmative and negative covenants, including, without limitation, a covenant requiring minimum consolidated net liquidity of $35,000 and limitations on indebtedness, liens and investments. The Credit Agreement also provides for customary events of default.
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company had $6,015 in outstanding letters of credit under the Revolving Credit Facility and therefore had $43,985 available for borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility.  As of December 31, 2014, the Company had no borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Note 14 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consist of the following:
		Pre-Tax	Tax	Net of Tax
	Three months ended March 31, 2015
	Pension liability activity:
	Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net loss (pre-tax cost of sales of $83 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $27)	$110	$47	$63
	Postretirement liability activity:
	Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net loss (pre-tax cost of sales of $142 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $20)	162	66	96
	Reclassification adjustment for amortization of prior service cost (pre-tax cost of sales of $9 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $1)	10	4	6
		$282	$117	$165
	Three months ended March 31, 2014
	Pension liability activity:
	Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net loss (pre-tax cost of sales of $44 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $9)	$53	$19	$34
	Postretirement liability activity:
	Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net loss (pre-tax cost of sales of $83 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $10)	93	33	60
	Reclassification adjustment for amortization of prior service cost (pre-tax cost of sales of $53 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $7)	60	21	39
		$206	$73	$133
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss consist of the following:
		March 31,	31-Dec-14
		2015
	Unrecognized pension cost, net of tax of $6,478 and $6,525	($10,575)	($10,638)
	Unrecognized postretirement cost, net of tax of $7,916 and $7,986	-13,277	-13,379
		($23,852)	($24,017)

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Note 15 – Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense for stock option awards based on the fair value of the award on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. Expected life in years for all stock options awards was determined using the simplified method. The Company believes that it is appropriate to use the simplified method in determining the expected life for options because the Company does not have sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate the expected term for stock options and due to the limited number of stock option grants to date. Expected volatility was based on the historical volatility of the Company's stock. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury bond rate for the expected life of the option. The expected dividend yield was based on the latest annualized dividend rate and the current market price of the underlying common stock on the date of the grant. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation for restricted stock awards over the vesting period based on the fair market value of the stock on the date of the award, calculated as the average of the high and low trading prices for the Company's common stock on the award date.
	Total stock-based compensation for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, was $603 and $540, respectively.
	As of March 31, 2015, there was $3,658 of unearned compensation expense related to stock options and restricted stock awards, which will be recognized over the remaining requisite service period of 34 months.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	Note 16 – Employee Benefit Plans
	The Company has qualified, defined benefit pension plans that were established to provide benefits to certain employees. These plans are frozen and participants are no longer accruing benefits. The Company also provides certain postretirement health care benefits for certain of its salaried and hourly retired employees. Generally, employees may become eligible for health care benefits if they retire after attaining specified age and service requirements. These benefits are subject to deductibles, co-payment provisions and other limitations.
	A substantial portion of the Company's postretirement benefit plan obligation relates to an expired settlement agreement with the union representing employees at the Company's and its predecessors' Johnstown manufacturing facilities. The terms of that settlement agreement (the "2005 Settlement Agreement") required the Company to pay until November 30, 2012 certain monthly amounts toward the cost of retiree health care coverage. The Company engaged in voluntary negotiations for two years in an effort to reach a consensual agreement related to the expired 2005 Settlement Agreement but no agreement was reached. The Company terminated, effective November 1, 2013, its contributions for medical coverage and life insurance benefits to affected retirees and is seeking declaratory relief to confirm the Company's rights under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), to reduce or terminate retiree medical coverage and life insurance benefits pursuant to the plans that were the subject of the 2005 Settlement Agreement. On July 9, 2013, the union and certain retiree defendants filed suit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania regarding the same dispute (see Note 17). The outcome of the pending litigation and the impact on the Company's postretirement benefit plan obligation cannot be determined at this time. The Company's recorded postretirement benefit plan obligation assumes for accounting purposes a continuation of those monthly payments after November 30, 2012 (as was permitted under the settlement). However, the Company's postretirement benefit plan obligation could significantly increase or decrease as a result of the litigation or if the parties agree to an alternative settlement agreement.
	Generally, contributions to the plans are not less than the minimum amounts required under ERISA and not more than the maximum amount that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes. The plans' assets are held by independent trustees and consist primarily of equity and fixed income securities.
	The components of net periodic benefit cost (benefit) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, are as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	Pension Benefits	2015	2014
	Interest cost	$       580	$       661
	Expected return on plan assets	(761)	(905)
	Amortization of unrecognized net loss	110	53
		$       (71)	$      (191)
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	Postretirement Benefit Plan	2015	2014
	Service cost	$         17	$         16
	Interest cost	743	750
	Amortization of prior service cost	10	60
	Amortization of unrecognized net loss	162	93
		$       932	$       919
	The Company made contributions to the Company's defined benefit pension plans of $0 and $61 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company expects to make no contributions to its pension plans in 2015.
	The Company made contributions to the Company's postretirement benefit plan of $96 and $106 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company expects to make $409 in contributions (including contributions already made) to its postretirement benefit plan in 2015 for salaried retirees. However, because the Company's postretirement benefit plan obligation is currently subject to litigation the postretirement benefit contributions for hourly retirees, if any, are unknown at this time.
	The Company also maintains qualified defined contribution plans, which provide benefits to employees based on employee contributions, employee earnings or certain subsidiary earnings, with discretionary contributions allowed. Expenses related to these plans were $602 and $312 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Contingencies

Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Contingencies [Abstract]
Contingencies	Note 17 – Contingencies
	The Company is involved in various warranty and repair claims and, in certain cases, related pending and threatened legal proceedings with its customers in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the Company's potential losses in excess of the accrued warranty and legal provisions, if any, are not expected to be material to the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
	On July 8, 2013, the Company filed a Complaint for Declaratory Judgment (the "Complaint") in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division (the "Illinois Court"). The case names as defendants the United Steel, Paper & Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial & Services Workers International Union, AFL-CIO, CLC (the "USW"), as well as approximately 650 individual Retiree Defendants (as defined in the Complaint), and was assigned Case No 1:13-cv-4889.
	As described in the Complaint, pursuant to the 2005 Settlement Agreement among the Company, the USW and the Retiree Defendants, the Company agreed to make certain levels of contributions to medical coverage for the Retiree Defendants and to continue to provide life insurance benefits at their amount at that time under certain of the Company's employee welfare benefit plans. The 2005 Settlement Agreement expressly provided that, as of November 30, 2012, the Company could cease making these contributions. In June 2011, the Company and the USW began discussing the possibility of an extension beyond November 30, 2012 for the Company's contributions to retiree medical coverage and life insurance benefits at a reduced amount and on other mutually acceptable terms. The Company engaged in voluntary negotiations for two years with the USW and counsel for the Retiree Defendants in an effort to reach a consensual agreement regarding such medical and life insurance benefits, but the parties were unable to reach a final agreement. The Company terminated, effective November 1, 2013, its contributions for medical coverage provided to the Retiree Defendants and the provision of life insurance benefits and is seeking declaratory relief to confirm its rights under ERISA to reduce or terminate retiree medical coverage and life insurance benefits pursuant to the plans that were the subject of the 2005 Settlement Agreement.
	On July 9, 2013, the USW and certain Retiree Defendants (collectively, the "Pennsylvania Plaintiffs") filed a putative class action in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania (the "Pennsylvania Court"), captioned as Zanghi, et al. v. FreightCar America, Inc., et al., Case No. 3:13-cv-146. The complaint filed with the Pennsylvania Court alleges that the Company does not have the right to terminate welfare benefits previously provided to the Retiree Defendants and requests, among other relief, entry of a judgment finding that the Retiree Defendants have a vested right to specified welfare benefits.
	On July 26, 2013, the Pennsylvania Plaintiffs filed with the Illinois Court a Motion to Dismiss Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b) or in the Alternative, to Transfer Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1404(a), as well as a Motion to Stay and/or Prevent Plaintiff from Obtaining Defaults against the Retiree Defendants. On August 5, 2013, the Company filed with the Pennsylvania Court a Motion to Dismiss Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b) or in the Alternative, to Transfer Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1404(a). On January 14, 2014, the Pennsylvania Court denied the Company's motion to dismiss and, on January 16, 2014, the Illinois Court transferred the Company's case to the Pennsylvania Court. On January 31, 2014, the Company filed a motion to consolidate both cases before the Pennsylvania Court. On April 3, 2014, the Pennsylvania Court entered an order (the "Initial Procedural Order") that, among other things, consolidated both cases before the Pennsylvania Court, certified a class for purposes of the consolidated actions, established discovery parameters and deadlines and established a briefing schedule applicable to the parties' cross motions for summary judgment as to liability only. On July 17, 2014, the parties filed with the Pennsylvania Court their respective motions for summary judgment as to liability.On March 30, 2015, the Pennsylvania Court issued an order denying both parties' summary judgment motions. A trial has been scheduled to commence on August 25, 2015 in the Pennsylvania Court.  The ultimate outcome of the proceedings before the Pennsylvania Court cannot be determined at this time.
	On September 5, 2013, the Pennsylvania Plaintiffs and certain putative class representatives filed a Plaintiffs' Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction (the "TRO Motion") with the Pennsylvania Court. In the TRO Motion, the plaintiffs requested that the Pennsylvania Court enter an injunction requiring the Company to continue to make monthly contributions at the same rate established by the 2005 Settlement Agreement until the parties' dispute is fully adjudicated on the merits. Following entry of the Initial Procedural Order, the Pennsylvania Court denied the TRO Motion without prejudice.
	The Company has recorded postretirement benefit plan obligations, a substantial portion of which relates to the dispute now before the Pennsylvania Court (see Note 16).
	In addition to the foregoing, the Company is involved in certain other pending and threatened legal proceedings, including commercial disputes and workers' compensation and employee matters arising out of the conduct of its business.  While the ultimate outcome of these other legal proceedings cannot be determined at this time, it is the opinion of management that the resolution of these other actions will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Other_Commitments

Other Commitments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Other Commitments [Abstract]
Other Commitments	Note 18 - Other Commitments
	The Company leases certain property and equipment under long-term operating leases expiring at various dates through 2024. The leases generally contain specific renewal options at lease-end at the then fair market amounts
	Future minimum lease payments at March 31, 2015 are as follows:
	Nine months ending December 31, 2015	$     7,765
	Year ending December 31, 2016	10,125
	Year ending December 31, 2017	9,815
	Year ending December 31, 2018	9,879
	Year ending December 31, 2019	9,930
	Thereafter	28,810
		$   76,324
	.The Company is liable for maintenance, insurance and similar costs under most of its leases and such costs are not included in the future minimum lease payments. Total rental expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, was approximately $2,596 and $2,338, respectively.
	The Company is party to non-cancelable agreements with its suppliers to purchase certain materials used in the manufacturing process. The commitments may vary based on the actual quantities ordered and be subject to the actual price when ordered. At March 31, 2015, the Company had purchase commitments under these agreements as follows:
	Nine months ending December 31, 2015	$   11,120
	Year ending December 31, 2016	8,566
	Year ending December 31, 2017	8,566
	Year ending December 31, 2018	—
	Year ending December 31, 2019	—
	Thereafter	—
		$   28,252

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Note 19 – Earnings Per Share
	Shares used in the computation of the Company's basic and diluted earnings per common share are reconciled as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015	2014
	Weighted average common shares outstanding	12,020,622	11,989,527
	Dilutive effect of employee stock options and nonvested share awards	—	—
	Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding	12,020,622	11,989,527
	Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding include the incremental shares that would be issued upon the assumed exercise of stock options and the assumed vesting of nonvested share awards. Because the Company had a net loss for each of the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, all stock options and shares of nonvested share awards were anti-dilutive and not included in the above calculation such periods. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, 881,619 and 824,363 shares, respectively, were not included in the weighted average common shares outstanding calculation as they were anti-dilutive.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Note 20 – Income Taxes
	The Company's income tax benefit was $1,048 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to $4,850 for the three months ended March 31, 2014.  The Company's effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was 33.6% and was lower than the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate of 35% primarily due to the (2.8)%  estimated impact of the domestic manufacturing deduction, the (0.9)% impact of changes in uncertain tax positions, a blended state tax rate of 3.0% and (0.7)% for the effect of other differences.  The Company's effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was 41.1% and was higher than the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate of 35% primarily due to a 6.5% blended state tax rate and (0.4)% for the effect of other differences.

Basis_of_Presentation_Policy

Basis of Presentation (Policy)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation [Policy Text Block]	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of FreightCar America, Inc. and subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The foregoing financial information has been prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for interim financial reporting. The preparation of the financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The accompanying interim financial information is unaudited; however, the Company believes the financial information reflects all adjustments (consisting of items of a normal recurring nature) necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with GAAP. The 2014 year-end balance sheet data was derived from the audited financial statements as of December 31, 2014. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the Company's annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements contained in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen1

Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policy)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update "ASU" 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which changes the presentation of debt issuance costs in financial statements. ASU 2015-03 requires an entity to present such costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of the debt issuance costs will continue to be reported as interest expense. This standard is effective retrospectively for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 (early adoption is permitted). The adoption of these changes is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.
	In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810) Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, which changes the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. The new guidance affects the following areas: (1) limited partnerships and similar legal entities; (2) evaluating fees paid to a decision maker or a service provider as a variable interest; (3) the effect of fee arrangements on the primary beneficiary determination; (4) the effect of related parties on the primary beneficiary determination; and (5) certain investment funds. This standard is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity early adopts the guidance in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. A reporting entity may apply the amendments in this guidance using a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. A reporting entity also may apply the amendments retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 605, Revenue Recognition.  ASU 2014-09 provides for a single five-step model to be applied to all revenue contracts with customers.  ASU 2014-09 also requires additional financial statement disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments.  ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period and may be adopted either retrospectively or on a modified retrospective basis whereby the new standard would be applied to new contracts and existing contracts with remaining performance obligations as of the effective date, with a cumulative catch-up adjustment recorded to beginning retained earnings at the effective date for existing contracts with remaining performance obligations.  Early adoption is not permitted.  On April 1, 2015, the FASB proposed deferring the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.  The FASB also proposed permitting early adoption of the standard, but early adoption could not be before the original effective date.  The Company is currently evaluating the methods of adoption allowed by the new standard and the effect that the standard is expected to have on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows and related disclosures.

Segment_Information_Policy

Segment Information (Policy)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Information [Abstract]
Segment Information [Policy]	The Companys operations comprise two reportable segments, Manufacturing and Services. The Companys Manufacturing segment includes new railcar manufacturing, used railcar sales, railcar leasing and major railcar rebuilds. The Companys Services segment includes general railcar repair and maintenance, inspections and parts sales. Corporate includes selling, general and administrative expenses not related to production of goods and services, retiree pension and other postretirement benefit costs, and all other non-operating activity.
	Segment operating income is an internal performance measure used by the Companys Chief Operating Decision Maker to assess the performance of each segment in a given period. Segment operating income includes all external revenues attributable to the segments as well as operating costs and income that management believes are directly attributable to the current production of goods and services. The Companys management reporting package does not include interest revenue, interest expense or income taxes allocated to individual segments and these items are not considered as a component of segment operating income. Segment assets represent operating assets and exclude intersegment accounts, deferred tax assets and income tax receivables. The Company does not allocate cash and cash equivalents to its operating segments as the Companys treasury function is managed at the corporate level. Intersegment revenues were not material in any period presented.

StockBased_Compensation_Policy

Stock-Based Compensation (Policy)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Compensation Related Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]	The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense for stock option awards based on the fair value of the award on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. Expected life in years for all stock options awards was determined using the simplified method. The Company believes that it is appropriate to use the simplified method in determining the expected life for options because the Company does not have sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate the expected term for stock options and due to the limited number of stock option grants to date. Expected volatility was based on the historical volatility of the Company's stock. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury bond rate for the expected life of the option. The expected dividend yield was based on the latest annualized dividend rate and the current market price of the underlying common stock on the date of the grant. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation for restricted stock awards over the vesting period based on the fair market value of the stock on the date of the award, calculated as the average of the high and low trading prices for the Company's common stock on the award date.

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Information [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015	2014
	Revenues:
	Manufacturing	$85,097	$48,002
	Services	7,707	8,084
	Consolidated revenues	$92,804	$56,086
	Operating income (loss):
	Manufacturing	$1,858		($5,034)
	Services	1,203		-340
	Corporate	-6,164		-6,167
	Consolidated operating loss	-3,103		-11,541
	Consolidated interest expense and deferred financing costs	-70		-286
	Consolidated other income	52		28
	Consolidated loss before income taxes	($3,121)		($11,799)
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Manufacturing		$1,446		$1,671
	Services		344		411
	Corporate		434		412
	Consolidated depreciation and amortization		$2,224		$2,494
	Capital expenditures:
	Manufacturing	$4,064		$2,242
	Services		89	175
	Corporate		155	94
	Consolidated capital expenditures		$4,308	$2,511
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table Text Block]
				March 31,	December 31,
				2015	2014
		Assets:
		Manufacturing		$231,069	$157,505
		Services		20,915	18,085
		Corporate		106,464	175,806
		Total operating assets		358,448	351,396
		Consolidated income taxes receivable		520	164
		Consolidated deferred income taxes, current		10,556	12,139
		Consolidated deferred income taxes, long-term		24,112	21,553
		Consolidated assets		$393,636	$385,252

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Financial Assets And Liabilities That Were Recorded At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements	As of March 31, 2015
		Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Total
	ASSETS:
	Cash equivalents	$15,100	$             -	$            -	$15,100
	Restricted certificates of deposit	$   6,347	$             -	$            -	$   6,347
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements	As of December 31, 2014
		Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Total
	ASSETS:
	Cash equivalents	$50,070	$            -	$           -	$50,070
	Restricted certificates of deposit	$   6,015	$            -	$           -	$   6,015

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventories [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory Current [Table Text Block]
		March 31,	December 31,
		2015	2014
	Work in progress	$    129,322	$            76,453
	Finished new railcars	23,706	—
	Parts and service inventory	6,649	5,806
	Total inventories	$    159,677	$            82,259

Leased_Railcars_Tables

Leased Railcars (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Leased Railcars [Abstract]
Future Minimum Rental Revenues On Leases [Table Text Block]	Nine months ending December 31, 2015	$951
	Year ending December 31, 2016	1,256
	Year ending December 31, 2017	1,256
	Year ending December 31, 2018	668
	Year ending December 31, 2019	551
	Thereafter	826
		$5,508

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]
		March 31,	December 31,
		2015	2014
	Buildings and improvements	$10,792	$10,731
	Machinery and equipment	52,978	50,771
	Software	8,662	8,299
	Leasehold improvements	8,526	6,983
	Cost of buildings and improvements, leasehold improvements, machinery, equipment and software	80,958	76,784
	Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	-40,982	-38,747
	Buildings and improvements, leasehold improvements, machinery, equipment and software, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	39,976	38,037
	Land (including easements)	1,976	1,976
	Construction in process	2,675	3,226
	Total property, plant and equipment, net	$44,627	$43,239

Intangible_Assets_and_Goodwill1

Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Abstract]
Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]		March 31,	December 31,
		2015	2014
	Patents	$13,097	$13,097
	Accumulated amortization	-12,295	-12,147
	Patents, net of accumulated amortization	802	950
	Customer-related intangibles	1,194	1,194
	Accumulated amortization	-517	-491
	Customer-related intangibles, net of accumulated amortization	677	703
	Total amortizing intangibles	$1,479	$1,653
	Manufacturing segment goodwill	$21,521	$21,521
	Services segment goodwill	607	607
	Total goodwill	$22,128	$22,128
Estimated Future Intangible Amortization [Table Text Block]	Nine months ending December 31, 2015	$    524
	Year ending December 31, 2016	457
	Year ending December 31, 2017	91
	Year ending December 31, 2018	73
	Year ending December 31, 2019	60
	Thereafter	274
		$1,479

Product_Warranties_Tables

Product Warranties (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Product Warranties [Abstract]
Changes in Warranty Reserve [Table Text Block]
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015	2014
	Balance at the beginning of the period	$8,742	$6,957
	Provision for warranties issued during the period	352	202
	Reductions for payments, cost of repairs and other	-475	-120
	Adjustments to prior warranties	-340	-
	Balance at the end of the period	$8,279	$7,039

State_Incentives_Tables

State Incentives (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
State Incentives [Abstract]
Changes in Deferred income from state incentives [Table Text Block]
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015	2014
	Balance at the beginning of the period	$         —	$           —
	State incentives received during the period	4,907	—
	Amortization of state incentives as reduction of cost of sales	(175)	—
	Balance at the end of the period, including current portion	$     4,732	$           —

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]		Pre-Tax	Tax	Net of Tax
	Three months ended March 31, 2015
	Pension liability activity:
	Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net loss (pre-tax cost of sales of $83 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $27)	$110	$47	$63
	Postretirement liability activity:
	Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net loss (pre-tax cost of sales of $142 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $20)	162	66	96
	Reclassification adjustment for amortization of prior service cost (pre-tax cost of sales of $9 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $1)	10	4	6
		$282	$117	$165
	Three months ended March 31, 2014
	Pension liability activity:
	Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net loss (pre-tax cost of sales of $44 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $9)	$53	$19	$34
	Postretirement liability activity:
	Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net loss (pre-tax cost of sales of $83 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $10)	93	33	60
	Reclassification adjustment for amortization of prior service cost (pre-tax cost of sales of $53 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $7)	60	21	39
		$206	$73	$133
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]		March 31,	31-Dec-14
		2015
	Unrecognized pension cost, net of tax of $6,478 and $6,525	($10,575)	($10,638)
	Unrecognized postretirement cost, net of tax of $7,916 and $7,986	-13,277	-13,379
		($23,852)	($24,017)

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Components of Net Periodic (Cost) Benefit [Table Text Block]
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	Pension Benefits	2015	2014
	Interest cost	$       580	$       661
	Expected return on plan assets	(761)	(905)
	Amortization of unrecognized net loss	110	53
		$       (71)	$      (191)
Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Components of Net Periodic (Cost) Benefit [Table Text Block]
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	Postretirement Benefit Plan	2015	2014
	Service cost	$         17	$         16
	Interest cost	743	750
	Amortization of prior service cost	10	60
	Amortization of unrecognized net loss	162	93
		$       932	$       919

Other_Commitments_Tables

Other Commitments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Other Commitments [Abstract]
Operating Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Table Text Block]
	Future minimum lease payments at March 31, 2015 are as follows:
	Nine months ending December 31, 2015	$     7,765
	Year ending December 31, 2016	10,125
	Year ending December 31, 2017	9,815
	Year ending December 31, 2018	9,879
	Year ending December 31, 2019	9,930
	Thereafter	28,810
		$   76,324
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligations Disclosure [Table Text Block]	Nine months ending December 31, 2015	$   11,120
	Year ending December 31, 2016	8,566
	Year ending December 31, 2017	8,566
	Year ending December 31, 2018	—
	Year ending December 31, 2019	—
	Thereafter	—
		$   28,252

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015	2014
	Weighted average common shares outstanding	12,020,622	11,989,527
	Dilutive effect of employee stock options and nonvested share awards	—	—
	Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding	12,020,622	11,989,527

Description_of_Business_Detail

Description of Business (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	segment
Description of the Business [Abstract]
Number of Reportable Segments	2

Segment_Information_Narrative_

Segment Information (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	segment
Segment Information [Abstract]
Number of Reportable Segments	2

Segment_Information_Schedule_o

Segment Information (Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$92,804	$56,086
Operating income (loss)	-3,103	-11,541
Consolidated interest expense and deferred financing costs	-70	-286
Consolidated other income	52	28
Consolidated income (loss) before income taxes	-3,121	-11,799
Depreciation and amortization	2,224	2,494
Capital expenditures	4,308	2,511
Manufacturing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	85,097	48,002
Operating income (loss)	1,858	-5,034
Depreciation and amortization	1,446	1,671
Capital expenditures	4,064	2,242
Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	7,707	8,084
Operating income (loss)	1,203	-340
Depreciation and amortization	344	411
Capital expenditures	89	175
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	-6,164	-6,167
Depreciation and amortization	434	412
Capital expenditures	$155	$94

Segment_Information_Reconcilia

Segment Information (Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating assets	$358,448	$351,396
Consolidated income taxes receivable	520	164
Consolidated deferred income taxes, current	10,556	12,139
Consolidated deferred income taxes, long-term	24,112	21,553
Total assets	393,636	385,252
Manufacturing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating assets	231,069	157,505
Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating assets	20,915	18,085
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating assets	$106,464	$175,806

Fair_Value_Measurements_Financ

Fair Value Measurements (Financial Assets And Liabilities That Were Recorded At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	$15,100	$50,070
Restricted certificates of deposit	6,347	6,015
Non-financial assets measured on a non-recurring basis	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	15,100	50,070
Restricted certificates of deposit	6,347	6,015
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0	0
Restricted certificates of deposit	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0	0
Restricted certificates of deposit	$0	$0

Marketable_Securities_Details

Marketable Securities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Held-to-maturity Securities, Current	47,981	47,961
Maximum [Member]
Marketable securities, original maturity	1 year	1 year
Minimum [Member]
Marketable securities, original maturity	90 days	90 days

Inventories_Narrative_Details

Inventories (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventories [Abstract]
Inventory Valuation Reserves	$3,288	$2,381

Inventories_Schedule_of_Invent

Inventories (Schedule of Inventory Current) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventories [Abstract]
Work in progress	$129,322	$76,453
Finished new railcars	23,706	0
Parts and service inventory	6,649	5,806
Total inventories	$159,677	$82,259

Leased_Railcars_Narrative_Deta

Leased Railcars (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory on lease	$0	$116
Railcars Available for Lease	16,368	22,897
Railcars Available for Lease, Cost	19,230	26,852
Railcars Available for Lease, Accumulated Depreciation	$2,862	$3,955
Lease Utilization Rate	65.00%	100.00%
Maximum [Member]
Lease Term	7 years

Leased_Railcars_Future_Minimum

Leased Railcars (Future Minimum Rental Revenues on Leases) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Leased Railcars [Abstract]
Nine months ending December 31, 2015	$951
Year ending December 31, 2016	1,256
Year ending December 31, 2017	1,256
Year ending December 31, 2018	668
Year ending December 31, 2019	551
Thereafter	826
Total Future Minimum Rental Revenues on Leases	$5,508

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_S

Property, Plant and Equipment (Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total	$44,627	$43,239
Buildings and Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	10,792	10,731
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	52,978	50,771
Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	8,662	8,299
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	8,526	6,983
Buildings And Improvements, Leasehold Improvements, Machinery, Equipment And Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	80,958	76,784
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	-40,982	-38,747
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total	39,976	38,037
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	1,976	1,976
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$2,675	$3,226

Intangible_Assets_and_Goodwill2

Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Patents [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Remaining Life	2 years
Amortization Expense	$148	$148
Customer-related intangibles [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization Expense	$27	$32
Remaining Amortization Period	16 years

Intangible_Assets_and_Goodwill3

Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortizing intangibles, net	$1,479	$1,653
Goodwill	22,128	22,128
Patents [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortizing intangibles, gross	13,097	13,097
Accumulated amortization	-12,295	-12,147
Amortizing intangibles, net	802	950
Customer-related intangibles [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortizing intangibles, gross	1,194	1,194
Accumulated amortization	-517	-491
Amortizing intangibles, net	677	703
Manufacturing [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	21,521	21,521
Services [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$607	$607

Intangible_Assets_and_Goodwill4

Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Estimated Future Intangible Amortization) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Abstract]
Nine months ending December 31, 2015	$524
Year ending December 31, 2016	457
Year ending December 31, 2017	91
Year ending December 31, 2018	73
Year ending December 31, 2019	60
Thereafter	274
Amortizing intangibles, net	$1,479	$1,653

Product_Warranties_Narrative_D

Product Warranties (Narrative) (Details) (Maximum [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Maximum [Member]
Warranty Term	5 years

Product_Warranties_Changes_in_

Product Warranties (Changes in Warranty Reserve) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Product Warranties [Abstract]
Balance at the beginning of the period	$8,742	$6,957
Provision for warranties issued during the period	352	202
Reductions for payments, cost of repairs and other	-475	-120
Adjustments to prior warranties	-340	0
Balance at the end of the period	$8,279	$7,039

State_Incentives_Details

State Incentives (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
State Incentives [Abstract]
State incentives received during the period	$4,907	$0
State incentive repayment liability	$0

State_Incentives_Changes_in_De

State Incentives (Changes in Deferred Income from State Incentives) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
State Incentives [Abstract]
Balance at the beginning of the period	$0	$0
State incentives received during the period	4,907	0
Amortization of state incentives as reduction of cost of sales	-175	0
Balance at the end of the period, including current portion	$4,732	$0

Revolving_Credit_Facility_Narr

Revolving Credit Facility (Narrative) (Details) (Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Initiation Date	26-Jul-13
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$50,000
Outstanding borrowings	0	0
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	43,653	43,985
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date	26-Jul-16
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description	revolving loans outstanding thereunder will bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 1.50% or at a base rate, as selected by the Company. Base rate loans will bear interest at the highest of (a) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (b) the prime rate or (c) LIBOR plus 1.00%.
Line of Credit Facility, Collateral	Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility are secured by a first priority perfected security interest in substantially all of the Borrowers' assets excluding railcars held by the Company's railcar leasing subsidiary, JAIX. The Borrowers also have pledged all of the equity interests in the Company's direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries as security for the Revolving Credit Facility.
Minimum net liquidity	35,000
Letter of Credit Sub-Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	30,000
Outstanding borrowings	$6,347	$6,015
Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.30%
Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.10%

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Pension Liability Activity, Reclassfication Adjustment for Amortization of Net Loss	$110	$53
Reclassification Adjustment for Amortization of Net Loss, Tax Effect	47	19
Pension Liability Activity, Reclassification Adjustment for Amortization of Net Loss, Net of Tax	63	34
Postretirement liability Activity, Reclassification Adjustment for Amortization of Net Loss, Before Tax	162	93
Postretirement Liability Activity, Reclassification Adjustment for Amortization of Net Loss, Tax Effect	66	33
Postretirement Liability Activity, Adjustment for Amortization of Net Loss, Net of Tax	96	60
Postretirement Liability Activity, Reclassification Adjustment for Amortization of Prior Service Cost, Before Tax	10	60
Postretirement Liability Activity, Reclassfication Adjustment for Amortization of Prior Service Cost, Tax Effect	4	21
Postretirement Liability Activity, Reclassification Adjustment for Amortization of Prior Service Cost, Net of Tax	6	39
Before tax	282	206
Tax	117	73
Net of tax	$165	$133

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of sales	$88,251	$59,238
Selling, General and Administrative Expense	8,843	8,403
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Amortization of Unrecognized Net Loss [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of sales	83	44
Selling, General and Administrative Expense	27	9
Accumulated Postretirement Plans Adjustment, Amortization of Unrecognized Net Loss [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of sales	142	83
Selling, General and Administrative Expense	20	10
Accumulated Postretirement Plans Adjustment, Amortization of Prior Service Cost [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of sales	9	53
Selling, General and Administrative Expense	$1	$7

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv4

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Components of AOCI) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Unrecognized Pension Cost, Net of Tax	($10,575)	($10,638)
Unrecognized Postretirement Cost, Net of Tax	-13,277	-13,379
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total	-23,852	-24,017
Unrecognized Pension cost, Tax Amount	6,478	6,525
Unrecognized Postretirement cost, Tax Amount	$7,916	$7,986

StockBased_Compensation_Narrat

Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock-based compensation	$603	$540
Unearned compensation expense	$3,658
Remaining requisite service period	34 months

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Narrati

Employee Benefit Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Employer contributions	$0	$61
Expected total contributions for current fiscal year	0
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	602	312
Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Employer contributions	96	106
Expected total contributions for current fiscal year	$409

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Compone

Employee Benefit Plans (Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Interest Cost	$580	$661
Expected return on plan assets	-761	-905
Amortization of unrecognized net loss	110	53
Net periodic (benefit) cost	-71	-191
Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Service Cost	17	16
Interest Cost	743	750
Amortization of prior service cost	10	60
Amortization of unrecognized net loss	162	93
Net periodic (benefit) cost	$932	$919

Other_Commitments_Narrative_De

Other Commitments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net	$2,596	$2,338
Maximum [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Lease Expiration Date	31-Dec-24

Other_Commitments_Operating_Le

Other Commitments (Operating Leases of Lessee Disclosure) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Commitments [Abstract]
Nine months ending December 31, 2015	$7,765
Year ending December 31, 2016	10,125
Year ending December 31, 2017	9,815
Year ending December 31, 2018	9,879
Year ending December 31, 2019	9,930
Thereafter	28,810
Total future minimum lease payments	$76,324

Other_Commitments_NonCancelabl

Other Commitments (Non-Cancelable Purchase Commitments) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Commitments [Abstract]
Nine months ending December 31, 2015	$11,120
Year ending December 31, 2016	8,566
Year ending December 31, 2017	8,566
Year ending December 31, 2018	0
Year ending December 31, 2019	0
Thereafter	0
Total purchase commitments	$28,252

Earnings_Per_Share_Narrative_D

Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	881,619	824,363

Earnings_Per_Share_Weighted_Av

Earnings Per Share (Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted average common shares outstanding	12,020,622	11,989,527
Dilutive effect of employee stock options and nonvested share awards	0	0
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding	12,020,622	11,989,527

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	($1,048)	($4,850)

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of

Income Taxes (Reconciliation of Income Tax Rate) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%
Manufacturing deduction	-2.80%
Uncertain tax positions	-0.90%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	3.00%	6.50%
Other	-0.70%	-0.40%
Effective income tax rate	33.60%	41.10%