FreightCar America (RAIL) 10-Q 2 Nov 17 2017 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 27, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2017
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Central Index Key	1,320,854
Entity Registrant Name	FREIGHTCAR AMERICA, INC.
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		12,395,699

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 70,207	$ 92,750
Restricted cash and restricted certificates of deposit	6,080	5,970
Marketable securities	51,003	0
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $36 and $22, respectively	17,098	25,207
Inventories, net	70,263	97,904
Income taxes receivable	826	13,283
Other current assets	4,751	6,056
Total current assets	220,228	241,170
Property, plant and equipment, net	40,036	46,347
Railcars available for lease, net	23,610	24,018
Goodwill	21,521	21,521
Deferred income taxes, net	11,676	4,221
Other long-term assets	1,460	1,978
Total assets	318,531	339,255
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Accounts and contractual payables	32,043	34,536
Accrued payroll and other employee costs	2,162	3,117
Reserve for workers' compensation	3,695	4,444
Accrued warranty	7,880	8,324
Customer deposits and deferred revenue	354	371
Other current liabilities	3,071	3,343
Total current liabilities	49,205	54,135
Accrued pension costs	6,504	6,821
Accrued postretirement benefits, less current portion	5,715	5,769
Deferred income state and local incentives, long-term	9,716	11,380
Accrued taxes and other long-term liabilities	4,622	4,236
Total liabilities	75,762	82,341
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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016)
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 12,731,678 shares issued at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016	127	127
Additional paid in capital	90,754	92,025
Treasury stock, at cost, 335,941 and 351,746 shares at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	(12,550)	(14,583)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(8,080)	(8,163)
Retained earnings	172,518	187,508
Total stockholders' equity	242,769	256,914
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 318,531	$ 339,255

Condensed Consolidated Balance3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 36	$ 22
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	2,500,000	2,500,000
Common stock, par value	$ 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 at cost	335,941	351,746
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock, shares authorized	100,000	100,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock, shares authorized	100,000	100,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 72,025	$ 113,461	$ 330,233	$ 388,208
Cost of sales	79,863	103,972	322,853	354,755
Gross (loss) profit	(7,838)	9,489	7,380	33,453
Selling, general and administrative expenses	10,715	8,010	23,629	27,286
Gain on settlement of postretirement benefit obligation, net of plaintiffs' attorneys' fees				(14,306)
Restructuring and impairment charges	59	1,531	2,205	1,531
Operating (loss) income	(18,612)	(52)	(18,454)	18,942
Interest expense and deferred financing costs	(27)	(29)	(99)	(115)
Other income	232	13	331	95
(Loss) income before income taxes	(18,407)	(68)	(18,222)	18,922
Income tax (benefit) provision	(6,793)	(119)	(6,798)	6,672
Net (loss) income	$ (11,614)	$ 51	$ (11,424)	$ 12,250
Net (loss) income per common share - basic	$ (0.94)	$ 0	$ (0.92)	$ 0.99
Net (loss) income per common share - diluted	$ (0.94)	$ 0	$ (0.92)	$ 0.99
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	12,293,998	12,267,468	12,282,522	12,260,329
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	12,293,998	12,267,468	12,282,522	12,260,329
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.09	$ 0.09	$ 0.27	$ 0.27

Condensed Consolidated Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Net (loss) income	$ (11,614)	$ 51	$ (11,424)	$ 12,250
Other comprehensive income:
Pension liability adjustments, net of tax	77	(697)	230	(535)
Postretirement liability adjustments, net of tax	(49)	(236)	(147)	12,695
Other comprehensive income (loss)	28	(933)	83	12,160
Comprehensive (loss) income	$ (11,586)	$ (882)	$ (11,341)	$ 24,410

Condensed Consolidated Stateme6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid In Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 127	$ 93,939	$ (17,516)	$ (21,078)	$ 179,639	$ 235,111
Balance (Shares) at Dec. 31, 2015	12,731,678		(402,166)
Net (loss) income					12,250	12,250
Other comprehensive income				12,160		12,160
Restricted stock awards		(3,418)	$ 3,418
Restricted stock awards, shares			79,796
Forfeiture of restricted stock awards		351	$ (351)
Forfeiture of restricted stock awards, shares			(20,755)
Employee stock settlement			$ (75)			(75)
Employee stock settlement, shares			(4,091)
Stock-based compensation recognized		815				815
Cash dividends					(3,340)	(3,340)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2016	$ 127	91,687	$ (14,524)	(8,918)	188,549	256,921
Balance (Shares) at Sep. 30, 2016	12,731,678		(347,216)
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2016-09		215			(215)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 127	92,025	$ (14,583)	(8,163)	187,508	256,914
Balance (Shares) at Dec. 31, 2016	12,731,678		(351,746)
Net (loss) income					(11,424)	(11,424)
Other comprehensive income				83		83
Restricted stock awards		(2,929)	$ 2,929
Restricted stock awards, shares			71,753
Forfeiture of restricted stock awards		877	$ (877)
Forfeiture of restricted stock awards, shares			(54,675)
Employee stock settlement			$ (19)			(19)
Employee stock settlement, shares			(1,273)
Stock-based compensation recognized		566				566
Cash dividends					(3,351)	(3,351)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2017	$ 127	$ 90,754	$ (12,550)	$ (8,080)	$ 172,518	$ 242,769
Balance (Shares) at Sep. 30, 2017	12,731,678		(335,941)

Condensed Consolidated Stateme7

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities
Net (loss) income	$ (11,424)	$ 12,250
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	7,021	7,402
Recognition of deferred income from state and local incentives	(1,664)	(1,596)
Gain on settlement of postretirement benefit plan obligation		(15,606)
Deferred income taxes	(7,489)	17,207
Stock-based compensation recognized	566	815
Other non-cash items, net	610	984
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	6,699	9,416
Inventories	27,074	(29,022)
Other assets	1,795	(8,174)
Accounts and contractual payables	(2,424)	(1,488)
Accrued payroll and employee benefits	(955)	(5,610)
Income taxes receivable/payable	12,566	(8,610)
Accrued warranty	(444)	(926)
Customer deposits and other liabilities	(727)	5,913
Payment for settlement of postretirement benefit plan obligation		(31,616)
Accrued pension costs and accrued postretirement benefits	(288)	(5,982)
Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:	30,916	(54,643)
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of restricted certificates of deposit	(6,632)	(2,089)
Maturity of restricted certificates of deposit	6,522	3,015
Purchase of securities held to maturity	(63,895)
Proceeds from maturity of securities	13,000	12,001
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(613)	(13,070)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	119
State and local incentives received	1,410
Net cash flows used in investing activities:	(50,089)	(143)
Cash flows from financing activities
Employee stock settlement	(19)	(75)
Deferred financing costs		(81)
Cash dividends paid to stockholders	(3,351)	(3,340)
Net cash flows used in financing activities:	(3,370)	(3,496)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(22,543)	(58,282)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	92,750	83,068
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	70,207	24,786
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid	55	32
Income taxes paid	100	$ 4,668
Income tax refunds received	$ 11,929

Description of the Business

Description of the Business	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
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., Johnstown America, LLC, Freight Car Services, Inc., JAIX Leasing Company (“JAIX”), FreightCar Roanoke, LLC, FreightCar Mauritius Ltd. (“Mauritius”), FreightCar Rail Services, LLC (“FCRS”), FreightCar Short Line, Inc. (“FCSL”), FreightCar Alabama, LLC and FreightCar (Shanghai) Trading Co., Ltd. (herein collectively referred to as the “Company”), and manufactures a wide range of railroad freight cars, supplies railcar parts and leases freight cars. 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; Johnstown, Pennsylvania; Roanoke, Virginia; and Shanghai, People’s Republic of China. The Company and its direct and indirect subsidiaries are all Delaware corporations or Delaware limited liability companies except Mauritius, which is incorporated in Mauritius, and FreightCar (Shanghai) Trading Co., Ltd., which is organized in the People’s Republic of China. The Company’s direct and indirect subsidiaries are all wholly owned.

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
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 and nine months ended September 30, 2017 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 2016 year-end balance sheet data was derived from the audited financial statements as of December 31, 2016. 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, 2016.

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Note 3 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements  In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. The ASU does not change how benefit costs are measured but changes where the components of net periodic benefit cost are reported within the income statement. Under ASU 2017-07, the service component of net periodic benefit cost will be included with other employee compensation costs within income from operations and other components of net periodic benefit cost will be presented separately (in one or more line items) outside of income from operations. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its financial statements.  In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. Topic 350 currently requires an entity to perform a two-step test to determine the amount, if any, of goodwill impairment. The amendment in ASU 2017-04 removes the second step of the test. An entity will apply a one-step quantitative test and record the amount of goodwill impairment as the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. This standard is effective for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.  In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Restricted Cash . The ASU requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. As a result restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents will be included in beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows and changes in restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents will no longer be included in cash flows from investing activities. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718) Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, to simplify the accounting for stock compensation. The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2017 and, on a prospective basis, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to share-based payments are recognized as income tax expense or benefit rather than additional paid-in capital and are classified as operating activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows. Excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies are considered discrete items in the reporting period during which they occur and are not included in the estimate of the Company’s annual effective tax rate. Additionally, excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies are prospectively excluded from the assumed proceeds in the calculation of diluted shares. As permitted by ASU 2016-09, the Company elected to account for forfeitures as they occur, rather than continuing to estimate expected forfeitures. This election was applied using a modified retrospective transition method whereby the cumulative effect of the change as of January 1, 2017 was recorded as a decrease of $215 to retained earnings and an increase of $215 to additional paid in capital. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires a lessee to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term greater than twelve months regardless of whether the lease is classified as an operating lease or a financing lease. Leases with a term of twelve months or less will be accounted for in a similar manner to existing guidance for operating leases. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. Entities are required to use a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the financial statements. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this standard on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330), which requires entities to measure most inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value, thereby simplifying the current guidance under which an entity must measure inventory at the lower of cost or market. Under ASU 2015-11, inventory is measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value, which eliminates the need to determine replacement cost and evaluate whether it is above the ceiling (net realizable value) or below the floor (net realizable value less normal profit margin). ASU 2015-11 defines net realizable value as the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. The adoption of this standard during the first quarter of 2017 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , which was further clarified in March 2016. The ASU outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most prior revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The ASU is based on the principle that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to fulfill a contract. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach for the adoption of the new standard. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 is permitted. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2014-09 effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method of adoption. Under this method, the guidance will be applied only to the most current period presented in the financial statements and the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard will result in an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the date of adoption. The Company continues to evaluate the requirements of the standard and its impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures. The Company currently expects to complete its analysis in the fourth quarter of 2017. However, to date, the Company has not identified any material differences between the new standard and its existing revenue recognition methods or contract costs that would require modification under the new standard. Additionally, the Company does not expect significant changes in business processes or systems as a result of the adoption of the standard.

Segment Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Information [Abstract]
Segment Information	Note 4 – Segment Information     The Company’s operations comprise two operating segments, Manufacturing and Parts, and one reportable segment, Manufacturing. The Company’s Manufacturing segment includes new railcar manufacturing, used railcar sales, railcar leasing and major railcar rebuilds. The Company’s Parts operating segment is not significant for reporting purposes and has been combined with corporate and other non-operating activities as Corporate and Other.  Segment operating income is an internal performance measure used by the Company’s 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 Company’s 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 Company’s treasury function is managed at the corporate level. Intersegment revenues were not material in any period presented.           Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended  September 30, September 30,  2017 2016 2017 2016  Revenues:  Manufacturing $ 69,842 $ 111,963 $ 323,649 $ 382,258  Corporate and Other 2,183 1,498 6,584 5,950  Consolidated Revenues $ 72,025 $ 113,461 $ 330,233 $ 388,208  Operating (Loss) Income:  Manufacturing $ (10,028) $ 6,967 $ (451) $ 25,179  Corporate and Other (1) (8,584) (7,019) (18,003) (6,237)  Consolidated Operating (Loss) Income (18,612) (52) (18,454) 18,942  Consolidated interest expense and deferred financing costs (27) (29) (99) (115)  Consolidated other income 232 13 331 95  Consolidated (Loss) Income Before Income Taxes $ (18,407) $ (68) $ (18,222) $ 18,922  Depreciation and Amortization:  Manufacturing $ 2,170 $ 2,024 $ 6,477 $ 6,163  Corporate and Other 179 261 544 1,239  Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization $ 2,349 $ 2,285 $ 7,021 $ 7,402  Capital Expenditures:  Manufacturing $ 141 $ 3,952 $ 519 $ 12,623  Corporate and Other 27 337 94 447  Consolidated Capital Expenditures $ 168 $ 4,289 $ 613 $ 13,070             September 30, December 31,  2017 2016  Assets:  Manufacturing $ 167,565 $ 211,043  Corporate and Other 138,464 110,708  Total Operating Assets 306,029 321,751  Consolidated income taxes receivable 826 13,283  Consolidated deferred income taxes, long-term 11,676 4,221  Consolidated Assets $ 318,531 $ 339,255    (1) Results for the nine months ended September 30 , 2016 included a $14,306 gain on the settlement of a postretirement benefit plan obligation, net of plaintif fs’ attorneys’ fees (see Note 12 ).

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Note 5 – Fair Value Measurements  The following table sets forth by level within the fair value hierarchy the Company’s financial assets that were recorded at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis.         Recurring Fair Value Measurements As of September 30, 2017  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total  ASSETS:  Cash equivalents $ 37,292 $ - $ - $ 37,292  Restricted certificates of deposit $ 6,080 $ - $ - $ 6,080  Escrow receivable $ - $ - $ 1,420 $ 1,420        Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements Period Ended September 30, 2017  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total  ASSETS:  Property, plant and equipment $ - $ 1,434 $ - $ 1,434      Recurring Fair Value Measurements As of December 31, 2016  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total  ASSETS:  Cash equivalents $ 15,156 $ - $ - $ 15,156  Restricted certificates of deposit $ 5,970 $ - $ - $ 5,970  Escrow receivable $ - $ - $ 1,910 $ 1,910  T he sale of the Company’s railcar repair and maintenance services business on September 30, 2015 resulted in $1,960 of the aggregate purchase price being placed into escrow in order to secure the indemnification obligations of FCRS and FCSL. The fair market value of the remaining escrow receivable above represents the escrow bal ance of $1,470 and $1,960 as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively , net of the fair value of the indemnification obligations, which was estimated using the discounted probability-weighted cash flow method . The carrying value of property, plant and equipment at the Company’s idled Danville, Illinois manufacturing facility was reduced to its estimated fair market value during the second quarter of 2017, resulting in a non-cash impairment charge of $333 . Fair market value was estimated using the market approach using market data such as recent sales of comparable assets in active markets and estimated salvage values. The carrying value of property, plant and equipment at the Company’s Johnstown, Pennsylvania administrative facility was reduced to its estimated fair market value during the third quarter of 2016, resulting in a non-cash impairment charge of $1,255 . Fair market value was estimated using the market approach using market data such as recent sales of comparable assets in active markets and estimated salvage values. The proceeds from sale of the facility during the first quarter of 2017 and the resulting gain on sale were not material.

Marketable Securities

Marketable Securities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
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. T reasury securities, U.S. government agency obligations and money market funds invested in U.S. government securities. Marketable securities as of September 30 , 2017 of $51,003 consisted of U.S. T reasury securities held to maturity and certificates of deposit 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. The Company owned no marketable securities as of December 31, 2016.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Inventories [Abstract]
Inventories	Note 7 – Inventories  Inventories, net of reserve for excess and obsolete items, consist of the following:         September 30, December 31,  2017 2016   Work in process $ 66,616 $ 83,576  Finished new railcars 1,254 11,858  Parts inventory 2,393 2,470  Total inventories, net $ 70,263 $ 97,904 Inventory on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets includes reserves of $4,754 and $4,307 relating to excess or slow-moving inventory for parts and work in process at September 30 , 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

Goodwill

Goodwill	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Goodwill [Abstract]
Goodwill	Note 8 – Goodwill  The Company assesses the carrying value of goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently whenever events occur and circumstances change indicating potenti al impairment. On August 1, 2017 , the Company performed its annual assessment of its Manufacturing reporting unit, the only reporting unit carrying goodwill, and concluded that the estimated fair value of the Manufacturing reporting unit exceeded the carrying value as of the testing date. Management determined the fair value of the Manufacturing reporting unit using a combination of the income approach, utilizing the discounted cash flow method, and the market approach, utilizing the guideline company method. Fair value based on the income approach was given a 60% weighting and fair value based on the market approach was given a 40% weighting.  Fair value calculations using the income approach c ontain significant judgments and estimates with respect to a variety of factors that will significantly impact the future performance of the business, including: future railcar volume projections based on an industry-specific outlook for railcar demand; estimated margins on railcar sales; estimated growth rate for selling, general and administrative costs; future effective tax rate for the Company ; and weighted-average cost of capital (“WACC”). Management estimated a WACC of 14% for the Company’s August 1, 2017 goodwill impairment valuation analysis.  In addition to estimating the fair value of the Company’s Manufacturing reporting unit using the discounted cash flow method in the base case scenario, the Company also estimated the fair value of its Manufacturing reporting unit using the discounted cash flow method for alternate scenarios. From a sensitivity perspective, the estimated fair value of the net assets in the Company’s Manufacturing reporting unit exceeded the carrying value even if the WACC used in the discounted cash flow method was increased by one hundred basis points or the terminal margin was decreased by seventy basis points. If market conditions further deteriorate or the performance of the Manufacturing reporting unit is worse than project ed over an extended period of time, the reporting unit could potentially be at risk of an impairment charge. As of September 30, 2017, the total goodwill balance of the Manufacturing reporting unit was $21,521 . 

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]
Revolving Credit Facility	Note 9 – Revolving Credit Facility On June 13, 2016, the Company entered into a First Amendment to Credit Agreement (the “First Amendment”) by and among FreightCar and certain of its subsidiaries, as borrowers and guarantors (together, the “Borrowers”), and Bank of America, N.A., as lender, administrative agent, swingline lender and letter of credit issuer (the “Bank”). The First Amendment amended the Credit Agreement, dated as of July 26, 2013 (the “Original Credit Agreement” and, as amended by the First Amendment, the ”Revolving Credit Facility”), by and among the Borrowers and the Bank in order to, among other things: (1) extend the term of the Original Credit Agreement to July 26, 2019 ; and (2) replace the negative covenant requiring a minimum consolidated net liquidity of $35,000 with a negative covenant requiring a maximum consolidated net leverage ratio of 2.50 :1.00. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had no borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the C ompany had $5,812 and $5,720, respectively, in outstanding letters of credit under the Revolving Credit Facility and therefore had $44,188 and $44,280, respectively, ava ilable for borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	 Note 10 – Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consist of the following:         Pre-Tax Tax After-Tax  Three months ended September 30, 2017  Pension liability activity:  Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net loss (pre-tax cost of sales of $129 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $(10) ) $ 119 $ 42 $ 77  Postretirement liability activity:  Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net gain (pre-tax cost of sales of $(2) and selling, general and administrative expenses of $(77) ) (79) (28) (51)  Reclassification adjustment for amortization of prior service cost (pre-tax selling, general and administrative expenses of $4 ) 4 2 2  $ 44 $ 16 $ 28   Pre-Tax Tax After-Tax  Three months ended September 30, 2016 Pension liability activity:  Actuarial loss $ (1,200) $ (422) $ (778)  Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net loss (pre-tax cost of sales of $135 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $(10) ) 125 44 81  Postretirement liability activity:  Actuarial loss (300) (105) (195)  Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net gain (pre-tax cost of sales of $(59) and selling, general and administrative expenses of $(9) ) (68) (24) (44)  Reclassification adjustment for amortization of prior service cost (pre-tax cost of sales of $4 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $1 ) 5 2 3  $ (1,438) $ (505) $ (933)                Pre-Tax Tax After-Tax  Nine months ended September 30, 2017  Pension liability activity:  Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net loss (pre-tax cost of sales of $386 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $(29) ) $ 357 $ 127 $ 230  Postretirement liability activity:  Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net gain (pre-tax cost of sales of $(6) and selling, general and administrative expenses of $(232) ) (238) (84) (154)  Reclassification adjustment for amortization of prior service cost (pre-tax selling, general and administrative expenses of $11 ) 11 4 7  $ 130 $ 47 $ 83     Pre-Tax Tax After-Tax  Nine months ended September 30, 2016  Pension liability activity:  Actuarial loss $ (1,200) $ (422) $ (778)  Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net loss (pre-tax cost of sales of $405 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $(30) ) 375 132 243  Postretirement liability activity:  Actuarial loss (1,989) (699) (1,290)  Settlement gain 37,190 13,076 24,114  Reclassification adjustment for settlement income (pre-tax gain on settlement of postretirement benefit plan obligation) (15,606) (5,487) (10,119)  Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net loss (pre-tax cost of sales of $(24) and selling, general and administrative expenses of $(4) ) (28) (10) (18)  Reclassification adjustment for amortization of prior service cost (pre-tax cost of sales of $11 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $2 ) 13 5 8  $ 18,755 $ 6,595 $ 12,160      The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss consist of the following:     September 30, December 31,  2017 2016  Unrecognized pension cost, net of tax of $6,279 and $6,405 $ (10,212) $ (10,441)  Unrecognized postretirement income, net of tax of $543 and $623 2,132 2,278  $ (8,080) $ (8,163) 

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Note 11 – Stock-Based Compensation  In each of January 2015, 2016 and 2017, the Company granted performance shares with performance measurement periods of three calendar years. The shares will vest and be earned at the end of each performance measurement period, if at all, based on the Company’s three-year cumulative basic earnings per share, provided that a minimum three-year average return on invested capital goal is also met or exceeded. The earnings per share thresholds and return on invested capital goals were established by the Company’s board of directors on the grant dates. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation cost for performance shares over the vesting period based on the fair market value of the Company’s stock on the award date multiplied by the estimated number of shares to be awarded based on the probable outcome of the performance conditions.  On July 31, 2017, the Company grante d non-qualified stock options to purchase 350,000 shares of our common stock to a n executive of the Company. The award features a performance earning vesting schedule whereby the stock options will vest if the average closing price per share of the Company’s stock over the trailing 90 calendar days (the “Threshold Stock Price”) exceeds the closing price per share of the Company’s stock on July 31, 2017 (the “Reference Stock Price”) as follows: 34% of the stock options will vest if the Threshold Stock Price exceeds the Reference Stock Price by $5.00 ; another 33% of the stock options will vest if the Threshold Stock Price exceeds the Reference Stock Price by $10.00 ; and the remaining 33% of the stock options will vest if the Threshold Stock Price exceeds the Reference Stock Price by $15.00 . Such stock price appreciation goals can be achieved at any point during the options’ ten -year contractual term. When vesting of an award of stock-based compensation is dependent upon the attainment of a target stock price, the award is considered to be subject to a market condition. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation cost for stock options with market conditions over the derived service period of the stock options. The estimated fair value and derived service period for the stock options were calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation. Assumptions used in valuing the July 31, 2017 stock options include the expected stock option life, expected volatility, expected dividend yield and risk-free rate. The stock options were assumed to have an expected life equal to the midpoint of (a) the date the performance goal is attained and (b) the date the stock options expire. The expected volatility assumption of 49.22% was based on the Company’s historical stock price volatility over the ten-year period ended on the grant date. The expected dividend yield assumption of 2.19% was based on the Company’s quarterly dividend payment of $0.09 and the grant date stock price of $16.44 . The risk-free rate assumption of 2.30% was based on the yields on U.S. Treasury STRIPS with a remaining term that approximates the life assumed at the date of the grant. The estimated fair value of the three vesting tranches for the stock options ranged from $6.88 to $7.25 with derived service periods from 0.98 years to 2.39 years.  Total stock-based compensation was $195 and $142 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $566 and $815 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of September 30, 2017, there was $884 of unearned compensation expense related to restricted stock awards, which will be recognized over the remaining requisite service period of 35 months. As of September 30, 2017, there was $2,204 of unearned compensation related to performance stock options, which will be recognized over the remaining derived service period for each vesting tranche.

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	Note 12 – 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. Generally, contributions to the plans are not less than the minimum amounts required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“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 Company also historically provided 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.  On March 25, 2016, the Company made a cash payment of $31,616 (including $166 of interest) to settle disputed retiree medical and life insurance benefits for hourly retirees of the Company’s Johnstown manufacturing facility. The settlement resulted in a pre-tax gain of $14,306 (net of plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees of $1,300 ) and a reduction in the postretirement benefit obligation of approximately $68,806 as of March 25, 2016. Additionally, as a result of the cost reducti on programs initiated in August 20 16 and January 2017 (see Note 15 ), certain employees participating in the salaried pension and postretirement benefit plans were impacted, which triggered curtailment s of the respective plans.  As of January 1, 2017, the Company changed the method it used to estimate the service and interest components of net periodic benefit cost for postretirement benefits and the interest component for pension benefits. Historically, the Company estimated these service and interest cost components utilizing a single weighted-average discount rate derived from the yield curve used to measure the benefit obligation at the beginning of the period. The Company has elected to utilize a full yield curve approach in estimating these components by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in determining the benefit obligation to the relevant projected cash flows. The Company made this change to provide a more precise measurement of service and interest costs by improving the correlation between projected benefit cash flows and the corresponding spot yield curve rates. This change will not affect the measurement of the Company’s total benefit obligation at the Company’s annual measurement date, as the refinement compared to the previous method result s in a decrease in the service cost and interest components of net periodic benefit cost with an equal offset to actuarial gains (losses) with no net impact on the total benefit obligation. The refinement did not have a material impact on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2017 or the c ondensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30 , 2017. This change is accounted for prospectively as a change in accounting estimate.  The components of net periodic benefit cost (benefit) for the three and nine months ended September 30 , 2017 and 2016, are as follows:          Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended  September 30, September 30,  Pension Benefits 2017 2016 2017 2016  Interest cost $ 446 $ 582 $ 1,338 $ 1,746  Expected return on plan assets (642) (686) (1,926) (2,058)  Amortization of unrecognized net loss 119 125 357 375  Plan curtailment and special termination benefits - - 270 -  $ (77) $ 21 $ 39 $ 63    Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended  September 30, September 30,  Postretirement Benefit Plan 2017 2016 2017 2016  Service cost $ 13 $ 15 $ 37 $ 45  Interest cost 51 65 151 868  Settlement income - - - (15,606)  Amortization of prior service cost 4 4 11 12  Amortization of unrecognized net (gain) loss (79) (68) (238) (28)  Plan curtailment and special termination benefits - - 150 -  $ (11) $ 16 $ 111 $ (14,709)   The Company made no contributions to the Company’s defined benefit pension plans for each of the three months and nine months ended September 30 , 2017 and 2016. The Company expects to make no contributions to its pension plans in 2017.  The Company made contributions to the Company’s postretirement benefit plan for salaried retirees of $122 and $121 for the three months ended September 30 , 2017 an d 2016, respectively, and $389 and $349 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company expects to make $40 3 in contributions (including contributions already made) to its postretirement benefit plan in 2017 for salaried retirees. As a result of the settlement payment described above, the Company had no further postretirement benefit obligation for hourly retirees after March 25, 2016.  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 $243 and $571 for the three months ended September 3 0, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $1,180 and $1,616 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Contingencies

Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Contingencies [Abstract]
Contingencies	Note 13 – 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.  The Company received cash payments of $15,733 and $1 ,410 during 2015 and 2017 , respectively, for Alabama state and local incentives related to its capital investment and employment levels at its Cherokee, Alabama (“Shoals”) facility . Under the incentive agreements a certain portion of the incentives may be repayable by the Company if targeted levels of employment are not maintained for a period of up to s ix years from the date of the incentive. The Company’s level of employment at its Shoals facility currently exceeds and is expected to continue to exceed the minimum targeted levels of employment. In the event that any portion of the incentives is required to be paid back, the amount is unlikely to exceed the deferred liability balance as of September 30 , 2017.  On April 17, 2015 and September 30, 2015, National Steel Car Limited (“NSC”) filed Complaints for Patent Infringement against the Company in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Eastern Division) in Chicago, Illinois. The complaints assert five United States patents against certain aggregate gondola freight cars sold to certain customers. The complaints seek injunctive relief and an unspecified amount of damages. The Court consolidated both cases on November 12, 2015. On January 29, 2016, NSC filed an amended complaint, alleging that 18 offers to sell made by the Company also infringed NSC’s patents. The Company filed its answer to NSC’s amended complaint on February 16, 2016, responding to NSC’s newly raised allegations and adding new affirmative defenses as well as counterclaims for non-infringement and invalidity. The Company also filed inter partes review (“IPR”) petitions in March 2016 with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board (“PTAB”) for two of the five asserted patents. In June 2015, the parties began conducting the first phase of fact discovery, which concluded on August 9, 2016. In September 2016, the PTAB granted the IPR petitions and instituted trials on all asserted claims for both patents. On October 5, 2016, the Company filed a motion to stay the district court litigation in order to allow the IPR trials to run their course, which the district court denied. A claim construction hearing before the district c ourt took plac e on January 31, 2017, and the c ourt’s ru ling was issued on June 8, 2017. The PTAB rendered its final written decisions in both IPR trials on September 22 and 25, 2017, finding that the Company had not shown by a preponderance of the evidence that the subject claims of the two patents were unpatent able. On October 4, 2017, the c ourt entered a new case schedule for the litigation, although a trial date has not yet been set , and the parties have engaged in settlement discussions . A status hearing has been set for December 19 , 201 7 . The Company believes that the complaints are without merit and , subject to the ongoing settlement discussions, intends to vigorously defend against the allegations. While the ultimate outcome of these proceedings cannot be determined at this time, it is the opinion of management that the resolution of these actions will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  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.  On a quarterly basis, the Company evaluates the potential outcome of all significant contingencies and estimates the likelihood that a future event or events will confirm the loss of an asset or the incurrence of a liability. When information available prior to the issuance of the Company’s financial statements indicates that, in management’s judgment, it is probable that an asset had been impaired or a liability had been incurred at the date of the financial statements and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated, the contingency is accrued by a charge to income. During the third quarter of 2017, the Company recorded contingency losses of $2,850 related to the foregoing matters, which is reported in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations in “Selling, general and administrative expenses”. 

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Note 14 – 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 September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,  2017 2016 2017 2016   Weighted average common shares outstanding 12,293,998 12,267,468 12,282,522 12,260,329  Dilutive effect of employee stock options and nonvested share awards - - - -  Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding 12,293,998 12,267,468 12,282,522 12,260,329    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. For the three months ended September 30 , 2017 and 2016, 443,668 and 529,293 shares, respectively, were not included in the weighted average common shares outstanding calculation as they were anti-dilutive. For the nine months ended September 30 , 2017 and 2016, 486,074 a nd 555,086 shares, respectively, were not included in the weighted average common shares outstanding calculation as they were anti-dilutive.

Restructuring and Impairment Ch

Restructuring and Impairment Charges	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Restructuring and Impairment Charges [Abstract]
Restructuring and Impairment Charges	Note 15 – Restructuring and Impairment Charges  On August 1, 2016, the Company announced a cost reduction program whereby approximately 15% of the Company’s salaried administrative workforce would be eliminated, its Johnstown, Pennsylvania administrative facility would be closed and certain discretionary spending would be reduced. During the third and fourth quarters of 2016, the Company recorded restructuring and impairment charges of $2,261 , which consisted primarily of non-cash impairment charges of $1,255 for property, plant and equipment at the Company’s Johnstown , Pennsylvania administrative facility and employee severance and other employment termination costs of $1,006 .  In the first quarter of 2017, in response to lower order trends in the industry, the Company announced further reductions to its salaried workforce , initiatives to reduce discretionary spending and the idling of the Company’s Danville, Illinois facility . In connection with the Company’s cost reduction program during 2017 , the Company recorded restructuring charges of $1,836 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , which consisted primarily of e mployee severance and other employment termination costs and pension and postretirement benefit plan curtailment and special termination benefits. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $369 for property, plant and equipment at the Company’s idled Danville, Illinois manufacturing facility. Restructuring and impairment charges are reported as a separate line item on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of September 30, 2017, $513 of employee severance and other employment termination costs related to the 2016 and 2017 cost reduction programs remained outstanding. 

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Event	Note 16 – Subsequent Event  On November 1, 2017 , the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved the suspension of the Company’s quarterly dividend to its shareholders to maintain its strong balance sheet and financial flexibility. The suspension of the quarterly dividend, which was previously $0.09 per share, is expected to result in additional liquidity of approximately $1,100 per quarter.  

Basis of Presentation (Policy)

Basis of Presentation (Policy)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]
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 and nine months ended September 30, 2017 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 2016 year-end balance sheet data was derived from the audited financial statements as of December 31, 2016. 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, 2016.

Recent Accounting Pronounceme25

Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policy)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. The ASU does not change how benefit costs are measured but changes where the components of net periodic benefit cost are reported within the income statement. Under ASU 2017-07, the service component of net periodic benefit cost will be included with other employee compensation costs within income from operations and other components of net periodic benefit cost will be presented separately (in one or more line items) outside of income from operations. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its financial statements.  In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. Topic 350 currently requires an entity to perform a two-step test to determine the amount, if any, of goodwill impairment. The amendment in ASU 2017-04 removes the second step of the test. An entity will apply a one-step quantitative test and record the amount of goodwill impairment as the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. This standard is effective for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.  In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Restricted Cash . The ASU requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. As a result restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents will be included in beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows and changes in restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents will no longer be included in cash flows from investing activities. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718) Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, to simplify the accounting for stock compensation. The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2017 and, on a prospective basis, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to share-based payments are recognized as income tax expense or benefit rather than additional paid-in capital and are classified as operating activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows. Excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies are considered discrete items in the reporting period during which they occur and are not included in the estimate of the Company’s annual effective tax rate. Additionally, excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies are prospectively excluded from the assumed proceeds in the calculation of diluted shares. As permitted by ASU 2016-09, the Company elected to account for forfeitures as they occur, rather than continuing to estimate expected forfeitures. This election was applied using a modified retrospective transition method whereby the cumulative effect of the change as of January 1, 2017 was recorded as a decrease of $215 to retained earnings and an increase of $215 to additional paid in capital. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires a lessee to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term greater than twelve months regardless of whether the lease is classified as an operating lease or a financing lease. Leases with a term of twelve months or less will be accounted for in a similar manner to existing guidance for operating leases. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. Entities are required to use a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the financial statements. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this standard on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330), which requires entities to measure most inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value, thereby simplifying the current guidance under which an entity must measure inventory at the lower of cost or market. Under ASU 2015-11, inventory is measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value, which eliminates the need to determine replacement cost and evaluate whether it is above the ceiling (net realizable value) or below the floor (net realizable value less normal profit margin). ASU 2015-11 defines net realizable value as the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. The adoption of this standard during the first quarter of 2017 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , which was further clarified in March 2016. The ASU outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most prior revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The ASU is based on the principle that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to fulfill a contract. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach for the adoption of the new standard. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 is permitted. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2014-09 effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method of adoption. Under this method, the guidance will be applied only to the most current period presented in the financial statements and the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard will result in an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the date of adoption. The Company continues to evaluate the requirements of the standard and its impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures. The Company currently expects to complete its analysis in the fourth quarter of 2017. However, to date, the Company has not identified any material differences between the new standard and its existing revenue recognition methods or contract costs that would require modification under the new standard. Additionally, the Company does not expect significant changes in business processes or systems as a result of the adoption of the standard.

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Information [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	   Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended  September 30, September 30,  2017 2016 2017 2016  Revenues:  Manufacturing $ 69,842 $ 111,963 $ 323,649 $ 382,258  Corporate and Other 2,183 1,498 6,584 5,950  Consolidated Revenues $ 72,025 $ 113,461 $ 330,233 $ 388,208  Operating (Loss) Income:  Manufacturing $ (10,028) $ 6,967 $ (451) $ 25,179  Corporate and Other (1) (8,584) (7,019) (18,003) (6,237)  Consolidated Operating (Loss) Income (18,612) (52) (18,454) 18,942  Consolidated interest expense and deferred financing costs (27) (29) (99) (115)  Consolidated other income 232 13 331 95  Consolidated (Loss) Income Before Income Taxes $ (18,407) $ (68) $ (18,222) $ 18,922  Depreciation and Amortization:  Manufacturing $ 2,170 $ 2,024 $ 6,477 $ 6,163  Corporate and Other 179 261 544 1,239  Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization $ 2,349 $ 2,285 $ 7,021 $ 7,402  Capital Expenditures:  Manufacturing $ 141 $ 3,952 $ 519 $ 12,623  Corporate and Other 27 337 94 447  Consolidated Capital Expenditures $ 168 $ 4,289 $ 613 $ 13,070 
Reconciliation of Assets From Segment to Consolidated	    September 30, December 31,  2017 2016  Assets:  Manufacturing $ 167,565 $ 211,043  Corporate and Other 138,464 110,708  Total Operating Assets 306,029 321,751  Consolidated income taxes receivable 826 13,283  Consolidated deferred income taxes, long-term 11,676 4,221  Consolidated Assets $ 318,531 $ 339,255    (1) Results for the nine months ended September 30 , 2016 included a $14,306 gain on the settlement of a postretirement benefit plan obligation, net of plaintif fs’ attorneys’ fees (see Note 12 ).

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis and Non-Recurring Basis	 Recurring Fair Value Measurements As of September 30, 2017  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total  ASSETS:  Cash equivalents $ 37,292 $ - $ - $ 37,292  Restricted certificates of deposit $ 6,080 $ - $ - $ 6,080  Escrow receivable $ - $ - $ 1,420 $ 1,420        Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements Period Ended September 30, 2017  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total  ASSETS:  Property, plant and equipment $ - $ 1,434 $ - $ 1,434      Recurring Fair Value Measurements As of December 31, 2016  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total  ASSETS:  Cash equivalents $ 15,156 $ - $ - $ 15,156  Restricted certificates of deposit $ 5,970 $ - $ - $ 5,970  Escrow receivable $ - $ - $ 1,910 $ 1,910 

Inventories (Tables)

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Inventories [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory Current	   September 30, December 31,  2017 2016   Work in process $ 66,616 $ 83,576  Finished new railcars 1,254 11,858  Parts inventory 2,393 2,470  Total inventories, net $ 70,263 $ 97,904 

Accumulated Other Comprehensi29

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	    Pre-Tax Tax After-Tax  Three months ended September 30, 2017  Pension liability activity:  Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net loss (pre-tax cost of sales of $129 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $(10) ) $ 119 $ 42 $ 77  Postretirement liability activity:  Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net gain (pre-tax cost of sales of $(2) and selling, general and administrative expenses of $(77) ) (79) (28) (51)  Reclassification adjustment for amortization of prior service cost (pre-tax selling, general and administrative expenses of $4 ) 4 2 2  $ 44 $ 16 $ 28   Pre-Tax Tax After-Tax  Three months ended September 30, 2016 Pension liability activity:  Actuarial loss $ (1,200) $ (422) $ (778)  Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net loss (pre-tax cost of sales of $135 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $(10) ) 125 44 81  Postretirement liability activity:  Actuarial loss (300) (105) (195)  Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net gain (pre-tax cost of sales of $(59) and selling, general and administrative expenses of $(9) ) (68) (24) (44)  Reclassification adjustment for amortization of prior service cost (pre-tax cost of sales of $4 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $1 ) 5 2 3  $ (1,438) $ (505) $ (933)                Pre-Tax Tax After-Tax  Nine months ended September 30, 2017  Pension liability activity:  Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net loss (pre-tax cost of sales of $386 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $(29) ) $ 357 $ 127 $ 230  Postretirement liability activity:  Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net gain (pre-tax cost of sales of $(6) and selling, general and administrative expenses of $(232) ) (238) (84) (154)  Reclassification adjustment for amortization of prior service cost (pre-tax selling, general and administrative expenses of $11 ) 11 4 7  $ 130 $ 47 $ 83     Pre-Tax Tax After-Tax  Nine months ended September 30, 2016  Pension liability activity:  Actuarial loss $ (1,200) $ (422) $ (778)  Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net loss (pre-tax cost of sales of $405 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $(30) ) 375 132 243  Postretirement liability activity:  Actuarial loss (1,989) (699) (1,290)  Settlement gain 37,190 13,076 24,114  Reclassification adjustment for settlement income (pre-tax gain on settlement of postretirement benefit plan obligation) (15,606) (5,487) (10,119)  Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net loss (pre-tax cost of sales of $(24) and selling, general and administrative expenses of $(4) ) (28) (10) (18)  Reclassification adjustment for amortization of prior service cost (pre-tax cost of sales of $11 and selling, general and administrative expenses of $2 ) 13 5 8  $ 18,755 $ 6,595 $ 12,160     
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	  September 30, December 31,  2017 2016  Unrecognized pension cost, net of tax of $6,279 and $6,405 $ (10,212) $ (10,441)  Unrecognized postretirement income, net of tax of $543 and $623 2,132 2,278  $ (8,080) $ (8,163) 

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract]
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	   Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended  September 30, September 30,  Pension Benefits 2017 2016 2017 2016  Interest cost $ 446 $ 582 $ 1,338 $ 1,746  Expected return on plan assets (642) (686) (1,926) (2,058)  Amortization of unrecognized net loss 119 125 357 375  Plan curtailment and special termination benefits - - 270 -  $ (77) $ 21 $ 39 $ 63    Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended  September 30, September 30,  Postretirement Benefit Plan 2017 2016 2017 2016  Service cost $ 13 $ 15 $ 37 $ 45  Interest cost 51 65 151 868  Settlement income - - - (15,606)  Amortization of prior service cost 4 4 11 12  Amortization of unrecognized net (gain) loss (79) (68) (238) (28)  Plan curtailment and special termination benefits - - 150 -  $ (11) $ 16 $ 111 $ (14,709) 

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding	   Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,  2017 2016 2017 2016   Weighted average common shares outstanding 12,293,998 12,267,468 12,282,522 12,260,329  Dilutive effect of employee stock options and nonvested share awards - - - -  Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding 12,293,998 12,267,468 12,282,522 12,260,329 

Recent Accounting Pronounceme32

Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Additional Paid In Capital [Member]
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2016-09	$ 215
Retained Earnings [Member]
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2016-09	$ (215)

Segment Information (Narrative)

Segment Information (Narrative) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017segment
Segment Information [Abstract]
Number of Operating Segments	2
Number of Reportable Segments	1

Segment Information (Schedule o

Segment Information (Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 25, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues			$ 72,025	$ 113,461	$ 330,233	$ 388,208
Operating (Loss) Income			(18,612)	(52)	(18,454)	18,942
Consolidated interest expense and deferred financing costs			(27)	(29)	(99)	(115)
Consolidated other income			232	13	331	95
Consolidated (Loss) Income Before Income Taxes			(18,407)	(68)	(18,222)	18,922
Depreciation and amortization			2,349	2,285	7,021	7,402
Capital expenditures			168	4,289	613	13,070
Gain on settlement of postretirement benefit plan obligation, net of plaintiffs' attorneys' fees		$ 14,306				14,306
Manufacturing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues			69,842	111,963	323,649	382,258
Operating (Loss) Income			(10,028)	6,967	(451)	25,179
Depreciation and amortization			2,170	2,024	6,477	6,163
Capital expenditures			141	3,952	519	12,623
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues			2,183	1,498	6,584	5,950
Operating (Loss) Income	[1]		(8,584)	(7,019)	(18,003)	(6,237)
Depreciation and amortization			179	261	544	1,239
Capital expenditures			$ 27	$ 337	$ 94	447
Gain on settlement of postretirement benefit plan obligation, net of plaintiffs' attorneys' fees						$ 14,306
[1]	Results for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 included a $14,306 gain on the settlement of a postretirement benefit plan obligation, net of plaintiffs' attorneys' fees (see Note 12).

Segment Information (Reconcilia

Segment Information (Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Operating Assets	$ 306,029	$ 321,751
Consolidated income taxes receivable	826	13,283
Consolidated deferred income taxes, long-term	11,676	4,221
Total assets	318,531	339,255
Manufacturing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Operating Assets	167,565	211,043
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Operating Assets	$ 138,464	$ 110,708

Fair Value Measurements (Narrat

Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Purchase price in escrow					$ 1,960
Escrow receivable			$ 1,960	$ 1,470
Asset impairment charge	$ 333	$ 1,255	$ 1,255

Fair Value Measurements (Fair V

Fair Value Measurements (Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis and Non-Recurring Basis) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Escrow receivable	$ 1,470	$ 1,960
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	37,292	15,156
Restricted certificates of deposit	6,080	5,970
Escrow receivable	1,420	1,910
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment	1,434
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	37,292	15,156
Restricted certificates of deposit	6,080	5,970
Escrow receivable
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents
Restricted certificates of deposit
Escrow receivable
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment	1,434
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents
Restricted certificates of deposit
Escrow receivable	1,420	$ 1,910
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment

Marketable Securities (Details)

Marketable Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Held-to-maturity Securities, Current	$ 51,003	$ 0
Maximum [Member]
Marketable securities, original maturity	1 year
Minimum [Member]
Marketable securities, original maturity	90 days

Inventories (Narrative) (Detail

Inventories (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Inventories [Abstract]
Inventory valuation reserves	$ 4,754	$ 4,307

Inventories (Schedule of Invent

Inventories (Schedule of Inventory Current) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Inventories [Abstract]
Work in process	$ 66,616	$ 83,576
Finished new railcars	1,254	11,858
Parts inventory	2,393	2,470
Total inventories, net	$ 70,263	$ 97,904

Goodwill (Details)

Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 01, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill [Line Items]
Weighted-average cost of capital	14.00%
Increase in weighted-average cost of capital	1.00%
Decrease in terminal margin	0.70%
Goodwill		$ 21,521	$ 21,521
Manufacturing [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 21,521

Revolving Credit Facility (Deta

Revolving Credit Facility (Details) $ in Thousands	Jun. 13, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Minimum net liquidity	$ 35,000
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity		$ 44,188	$ 44,280
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date		Jul. 26, 2019
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Outstanding borrowings		$ 0	0
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Letter of Credit Sub-Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Outstanding borrowings		$ 5,812	$ 5,720
Maximum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum net leverage ratio	2.50

Accumulated Other Comprehensi43

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Pension liability activity, actuarial loss, before tax		$ (1,200)		$ (1,200)
Pension liability activity, actuarial loss, tax effect		(422)		(422)
Pension liability activity, actuarial loss, net of tax		(778)		(778)
Pension liability activity, reclassfication adjustment for amortization of net loss, before tax	$ 119	125	$ 357	375
Pension liability activity, reclassification adjustment for amortization of net loss, tax effect	42	44	127	132
Pension liability activity, reclassification adjustment for amortization of net loss, net of tax	77	81	230	243
Postretirement liability activity, actuarial loss, before tax		(300)		(1,989)
Postretirement liability activity, actuarial loss, tax effect		(105)		(699)
Postretirement liability activity, actuarial loss, net of tax		(195)		(1,290)
Postretirement liability activity, settlement gain, before tax				37,190
Postretirement liability activity, settlement gain, tax effect				13,076
Postretirement liability activity, settlement gain, net of tax				24,114
Postretirement liability activity, reclassification adjustment for settlement income, before tax				(15,606)
Postretirement liability activity, reclassification adjustment for settlement income, tax effect				(5,487)
Postretirement liability activity, reclassification adjustment for settlement income, net of tax				(10,119)
Postretirement liability activity, reclassification adjustment for amortization of net loss, before tax				(28)
Postretirement liability activity, reclassification adjustment for amortization of net loss, tax effect				(10)
Postretirement liability activity, reclassification adjustment for amortization of net loss, net of tax				(18)
Postretirement liability activity, reclassification adjustment for amortization of net gain, before tax	(79)	(68)	(238)
Postretirement liability activity, reclassification adjustment for amortization of net gain, tax effect	(28)	(24)	(84)
Postretirement liability activity, reclassification adjustment for amortization of net gain, net of tax	(51)	(44)	(154)
Postretirement liability activity, reclassification adjustment for amortization of prior service cost, before tax	4	5	11	13
Postretirement liability activity, reclassfication adjustment for amortization of prior service cost, tax effect	2	2	4	5
Postretirement liability activity, reclassification adjustment for amortization of prior service cost, net of tax	2	3	7	8
Pre-tax	44	(1,438)	130	18,755
Tax	16	(505)	47	6,595
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 28	$ (933)	$ 83	$ 12,160

Accumulated Other Comprehensi44

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of sales	$ 79,863	$ 103,972	$ 322,853	$ 354,755
Selling, general and administrative expenses	10,715	8,010	23,629	27,286
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	129	135	386	405
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(10)	(10)	(29)	(30)
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				(24)
Selling, general and administrative expenses				(4)
Accumulated Postretirement Plans Adjustment Amortization Of Unrecognized Net Gain [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of sales	(2)	(59)	(6)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(77)	(9)	(232)
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		4		11
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$ 4	$ 1	$ 11	$ 2

Accumulated Other Comprehensi45

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Unrecognized pension cost, net of tax of $6,279 and $6,405	$ (10,212)	$ (10,441)
Unrecognized postretirement income, net of tax of $543 and $623	2,132	2,278
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(8,080)	(8,163)
Unrecognized pension cost, tax amount	6,279	6,405
Unrecognized postretirement income, tax amount	$ 543	$ 623

Stock-Based Compensation (Detai

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2017$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation | $		$ 195	$ 142	$ 566	$ 815
Remaining requisite service period				35 months
Unearned compensation | $		884		$ 884
Method for measuring cost of award				The estimated fair value and derived service period for the stock options were calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation.
Performance Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unearned compensation related to options | $		$ 2,204		$ 2,204
Executive Officer [Member] | Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted | shares	350,000
Award contractual term	10 years
Expected volatility	49.22%
Expected dividend yield	2.19%
Dividend payment	0.09
Options granted, stock price	$ 16.44
Risk-free rate	2.30%
Executive Officer [Member] | Employee Stock Option [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage	34.00%
Threshold Stock Price	$ 5
Executive Officer [Member] | Employee Stock Option [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage	33.00%
Threshold Stock Price	$ 10
Executive Officer [Member] | Employee Stock Option [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Three [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage	33.00%
Threshold Stock Price	$ 15
Executive Officer [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Estimated fair value	$ 6.88
Derived service period	11 months 23 days
Executive Officer [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Estimated fair value	$ 7.25
Derived service period	2 years 4 months 21 days

Employee Benefit Plans (Narrati

Employee Benefit Plans (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 25, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Cash payment for settlement of postretirement benefit plan obligation	$ 31,616				$ 31,616
Postretirement benefit plan obligation settlement interest	166
Gain on settlement of postretirement benefit plan obligation, net of plaintiffs' attorneys' fees	14,306				14,306
Attorneys' fees	1,300
Reduction in postretirement benefit obligation	68,806
Defined contribution plan expense recognized		$ 243	$ 571	$ 1,180	1,616
Hourly Retirees [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Benefit obligation	$ 0
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Employer contributions		0	0	0	0
Expected total contributions for current fiscal year				0
Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Employer contributions		$ 122	$ 121	389	$ 349
Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member] | Salaried Retirees [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Expected total contributions for current fiscal year				$ 403

Employee Benefit Plans (Compone

Employee Benefit Plans (Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Settlement income				$ (15,606)
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Interest cost	$ 446	$ 582	$ 1,338	1,746
Expected return on plan assets	(642)	(686)	(1,926)	(2,058)
Amortization of unrecognized net (gain) loss	119	125	357	375
Plan curtailment and special termination benefits			270
Net periodic (benefit) cost	(77)	21	39	63
Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Service cost	13	15	37	45
Interest cost	51	65	151	868
Settlement income				(15,606)
Amortization of prior service cost	4	4	11	12
Amortization of unrecognized net (gain) loss	(79)	(68)	(238)	(28)
Plan curtailment and special termination benefits			150
Net periodic (benefit) cost	$ (11)	$ 16	$ 111	$ (14,709)

Contingencies (Details)

Contingencies (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 25, 2017claim	Sep. 22, 2017claim	Jan. 29, 2016claim	Sep. 30, 2015item	Apr. 17, 2015item	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
State and local incentives received | $						$ 1,410	$ 15,733
Contingency losses | $						$ 2,850
Number of unpatentable patents | claim	2	2
Freight Car America v National Steel Car Limited [Member]
Patents | item				5	5
Number of new complaints | claim			18

Earnings Per Share (Narrative)

Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Anti-dilutive common shares excluded from computation of earnings per share amount	443,668	529,293	486,074	555,086

Earnings Per Share (Weighted Av

Earnings Per Share (Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding) (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted average common shares outstanding	12,293,998	12,267,468	12,282,522	12,260,329
Dilutive effect of employee stock options and nonvested share awards
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding	12,293,998	12,267,468	12,282,522	12,260,329

Restructuring and Impairment 52

Restructuring and Impairment Charges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 01, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Percent of salaried workforce eliminated	15.00%
Restructuring and impairment charges		$ 59		$ 1,531	$ 2,261	$ 2,205	$ 1,531
Asset impairment charge			$ 333	$ 1,255	1,255
Severance costs					$ 1,006
Employee severance and other employment termination costs		$ 513				513
Employee Severance And Other Employment Termination Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and impairment charges						1,836
Property, Plant And Equipment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and impairment charges						$ 369

Subsequent Event (Details)

Subsequent Event (Details) - Subsequent Event [Member] $ / qtr in Thousands	Nov. 01, 2017$ / shares$ / qtr
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends suspended | $ / shares	$ 0.09
Additional liquidity | $ / qtr	1,100