L.B. Foster (FSTR) 10-Q 9 Aug 16 2016 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jul. 27, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Registrant Name	FOSTER L B CO
Entity Central Index Key	352,825
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		10,383,765
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Trading Symbol	fstr

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 32,805	$ 33,312
Accounts receivable - net	81,396	78,487
Inventories - net	95,150	96,396
Prepaid income tax	5,197	1,131
Other current assets	6,779	5,148
Total current assets	221,327	214,474
Property, plant and equipment - net	108,625	126,745
Other assets:
Goodwill	23,972	81,752
Other intangibles - net	70,420	134,927
Deferred tax assets	37,794	226
Investments	4,638	5,321
Other assets	3,240	3,215
Total assets	470,016	566,660
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable	58,280	55,804
Deferred revenue	9,154	6,934
Accrued payroll and employee benefits	7,612	10,255
Accrued warranty	8,749	8,755
Current maturities of long-term debt	1,335	1,335
Other accrued liabilities	11,380	8,563
Total current liabilities	96,510	91,646
Long-term debt	167,030	167,419
Deferred tax liabilities	6,968	8,926
Other long-term liabilities	15,447	15,837
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock, par value $.01, authorized 20,000,000 shares; shares issued at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, 11,115,779; shares outstanding at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, 10,296,139 and 10,221,006, respectively	111	111
Paid-in capital	44,003	46,681
Retained earnings	180,914	276,571
Treasury stock - at cost, common stock, shares at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, 819,640 and 894,773, respectively	(19,747)	(22,591)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(21,220)	(17,940)
Total stockholders' equity	184,061	282,832
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$ 470,016	$ 566,660

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Common stock, issued shares	11,115,779	11,115,779
Common stock, shares outstanding	10,296,139	10,221,006
Treasury stock shares - at cost, common stock	819,640	894,773

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Sales of goods	$ 118,070	$ 146,780	$ 225,985	$ 269,576
Sales of services	17,924	24,639	36,319	39,750
Total sales	135,994	171,419	262,304	309,326
Cost of goods sold	92,638	114,793	179,031	210,987
Cost of services sold	15,543	19,537	31,500	30,596
Total cost of sales	108,181	134,330	210,531	241,583
Gross profit	27,813	37,089	51,773	67,743
Selling and administrative expenses	23,317	24,278	46,134	46,528
Amortization expense	2,789	3,456	6,055	5,613
Asset impairments	128,938	0	128,938	0
Interest expense	1,652	1,288	2,822	1,901
Interest income	(52)	(37)	(107)	(94)
Equity in loss of nonconsolidated investments	487	186	683	13
Other expense (income)	107	95	822	(708)
Total operating expenses	157,238	29,266	185,347	53,253
(Loss) income before income taxes	(129,425)	7,823	(133,574)	14,490
Income tax (benefit) expense	(37,429)	2,461	(38,746)	4,841
Net (loss) income	$ (91,996)	$ 5,362	$ (94,828)	$ 9,649
Basic (loss) earnings per common share	$ (8.96)	$ 0.52	$ (9.25)	$ 0.94
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share	(8.96)	0.52	(9.25)	0.93
Dividends paid per common share	$ 0.04	$ 0.04	$ 0.08	$ 0.08

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Net (loss) income	$ (91,996)	$ 5,362	$ (94,828)	$ 9,649
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(2,660)	2,901	(2,007)	(1,486)
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges, net of tax benefit of $291 and $903	(455)	0	(1,423)	0
Reclassification of pension liability adjustments to earnings, net of tax expense of $38, $47 and $77, $93*	74	92	150	181
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(3,041)	2,993	(3,280)	(1,305)
Comprehensive (loss) income	$ (95,037)	$ 8,355	$ (98,108)	$ 8,344

Consolidated Statements of Com6

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges, tax benefit	$ 291		$ 903
Reclassification of pension liability adjustments to earnings, tax expense	$ 38	$ 47	$ 77	$ 93

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net (loss) income	$ (94,828)	$ 9,649
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred income taxes	(38,475)	(425)
Depreciation	7,325	6,775
Amortization	6,055	5,613
Asset impairments	128,938	0
Equity loss in nonconsolidated investments	683	13
Loss on sales and disposals of property, plant, and equipment	240	57
Share-based compensation	555	1,896
Excess income tax deficiency (benefit) from share-based compensation	124	(310)
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(2,755)	6,524
Inventories	(231)	(7,832)
Other current assets	(959)	(103)
Prepaid income tax	(4,262)	(948)
Other noncurrent assets	(60)	(1,257)
Dividends from LB Pipe & Coupling Products, LLC	0	90
Accounts payable	3,784	(13,101)
Deferred revenue	2,412	(1,073)
Accrued payroll and employee benefits	(2,658)	(5,699)
Other current liabilities	812	(1,113)
Other liabilities	(145)	(690)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	6,555	(1,934)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant, and equipment	768	163
Capital expenditures on property, plant and equipment	(5,070)	(8,246)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	(193,871)
Loans and capital contributions to equity method investment	(575)	(61)
Net cash used by investing activities	(4,877)	(202,015)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayments of debt	(68,174)	(62,247)
Proceeds from debt	67,789	254,291
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and stock awards	0	68
Financing fees	(712)	(1,670)
Treasury stock acquisitions	(265)	(962)
Cash dividends on common stock paid to shareholders	(829)	(831)
Excess income tax deficiency (benefit) from share-based compensation	(124)	310
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	(2,315)	188,959
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	130	(1,473)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(507)	(16,463)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	33,312	52,024
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	32,805	35,561
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Interest paid	2,211	1,471
Income taxes paid	$ 3,987	$ 6,379

Financial Statements

Financial Statements	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Financial Statements [Abstract]
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  Basis of Presentation  The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all estimates and adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. However, actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016. The year-end Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015 was derived from audited financial statements. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” and the “Company” refer collectively to L.B. Foster Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.  Recently issued accounting standards  In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” (“ASU 2014-09”), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification 605, “Revenue Recognition.” ASU 2014-09 is based on the principle that revenue is recognized 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. It 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 obtain or fulfill a contract. ASU 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating its implementation approach and assessing the impact of ASU 2014-09 on our financial position and results of operations.  In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”. The new accounting requirements include the accounting for, presentation of, and classification of leases. The guidance will result in most leases being capitalized as a right of use asset with a related liability on our balance sheets. The requirements of the new standard are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company is in the process of analyzing the impact of ASU 2016-02 on our financial position and results of operations.  In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, "Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718)." This standard makes several modifications to Topic 718 related to the accounting for forfeitures, employer tax withholding on share-based compensation , and the financial statement presentation of excess tax benefits or deficiencies. ASU 2016-09 also clarifies the statement of cash flows presentation for certain components of share-based awards. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, although early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of analyzing the impact of ASU 2016-09 on our financial position and results of operations.

Business Segments

Business Segments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Business Segments [Abstract]
BUSINESS SEGMENTS	2. BUSINESS SEGMENTS  The Company is a leading manufacturer, fabricator, and distributor of products and services for rail, construction, energy, and utility markets. The Company is organized and evaluated by product group, which is the basis for identifying reportable segments. Each segment represents a revenue-producing component of the Company for which separate financial information is produced internally and is subject to evaluation by the Company’s chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources. Each segment is evaluated based upon its respective contribution to the Company’s consolidated results based upon segment profit. The following table illustrates revenues and profits (losses) from operations of the Company by segment for the periods indicated:     Three Months Ended Six Months Ended  June 30, 2016 June 30, 2016  Net Segment Net Segment  Sales Profit (loss) Sales Profit (loss)   Rail Products and Services $ 67,503 $ (25,168) $ 131,795 $ (24,427)  Construction Products 40,348 3,944 72,228 4,392  Tubular and Energy Services 28,143 (102,983) 58,281 (104,910)  Total $ 135,994 $ (124,207) $ 262,304 $ (124,945)      Three Months Ended Six Months Ended  June 30, 2015 June 30, 2015  Net Segment Net Segment  Sales Profit Sales Profit   Rail Products and Services $ 86,882 $ 6,413 $ 164,558 $ 12,485  Construction Products 49,516 5,158 83,806 6,386  Tubular and Energy Services 35,021 358 60,962 2,316  Total $ 171,419 $ 11,929 $ 309,326 $ 21,187  Segment profits (losses) from operations, as shown above, include internal cost of capital charges for assets used in the segment at a rate of generally 1 % per month. There has been no change in the measurement of segment profit from operations from December 31, 2015. The internal cost of capital charges are eliminated during the consolidation process.  The following table provides a reconciliation of reportable segment net profit from operations to the Company’s consolidated total:    Three Months Ended Six Months Ended  June 30, June 30,  2016 2015 2016 2015   (Loss) income for reportable segments $ (124,207) $ 11,929 $ (124,945) $ 21,187  Interest expense (1,652) (1,288) (2,822) (1,901)  Interest income 52 37 107 94  Other (expense) income (107) (95) (822) 708  LIFO income 452 406 525 400  Equity in loss of nonconsolidated investments (487) (186) (683) (13)  Corporate expense, cost of capital elimination, and other unallocated charges (3,476) (2,980) (4,934) (5,985)  (Loss) income before income taxes $ (129,425) $ 7,823 $ (133,574) $ 14,490  The following table illustrates assets of the Company by segment:    June 30, December 31,  2016 2015  Rail Products and Services $ 199,217 $ 241,222  Construction Products 90,382 86,335  Tubular and Energy Services 112,465 216,715  Unallocated corporate assets 67,952 22,388  Total $ 470,016 $ 566,660      

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Acquisitions	3. ACQUISITIONS  TEW Plus, LTD On November 23, 2015 , the Company acquired the 75% balance of the remaining shares of TEW Plus, LTD (“Tew Plus”) for $2,130 , net of cash acquired. Headquartered in Nottingham, UK, Tew Plus provides telecommunications and security systems to the railway and commercial markets. Their offerings include full installation services including: design; project management; survey; and commissioning along with future maintenance. The results of Tew Plus’ operations are included within the Rail Products and Services segment from the date of acquisition. Inspection Oilfield Services On M arch 13, 2015 , the Company acquired IOS Holdings, Inc. (“IOS” or “test and inspection services”) for $167,404 , net of cash acquired and a net working capital receivable adjustment of $2,363 . The purchase agreement includes an earn-out provision for the seller to generate an additional $60,000 of proceeds upon achieving certain levels of EBITDA during the three-year period beginning on January 1, 2015. The Company has not accrued an estimated earn-out obligation based upon a probability weighted valuation model of the projected EBITDA results, which indicates that the minimum target will not be achieved. Approximately $7,600 of the purchase price relates to amounts held in escrow to satisfy potential indemnity claims made under the purchase agreement. Headquartered in Houston, TX, IOS is a leading independent provider of tubular management services with operations in every significant oil and gas producing region in the continental United States. The results of IOS are included within our Tubular and Energy Services segment from the date of acquisition. Tew Holdings, LTD On January 13, 2015 , the Company acquired Tew Holdings, LTD (“Tew”) for $26,467 , net of cash acquired. The purchase price includes approximately $4,200 related to working capital and net debt adjustments. The non-domestic cash payment includes approximately $600 which is held in escrow to satisfy potential indemnity claims made under the purchase agreement. Headquartered in Nottingham, UK, Tew provides application engineering solutions primarily to the rail market and other major industries. The results of Tew’s operations are included within the Rail Products and Services segment from the date of acquisition. Acquisition Summary Each transaction was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which requires an acquiring entity to recognize, with limited exceptions, all of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a transaction at fair value as of the acquisition date. Goodwill primarily represents the value paid for each acquisition’s enhancement to the Company’s product and service offerings and capabilities, as well as a premium payment related to the ability to control the acquired assets. The Company has concluded that intangible assets and goodwill values resulting from the IOS, Tew, and Tew Plus transactions are not deductible for tax purposes.  The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition :    Allocation of Purchase Price November 23, 2015 - Tew Plus March 13, 2015 - IOS January 13, 2015 - Tew  Current assets $ 4,420 $ 19,877 $ 12,125  Other assets - 708 -  Property, plant, and equipment 47 51,453 * 2,398  Goodwill 822 69,908 * 8,772  Other intangibles 1,074 50,354 * 14,048  Liabilities assumed (3,597) (23,596) (6,465)  Total $ 2,766 $ 168,704 $ 30,878  * - As a result of the impact of the downturn within the energy markets, the expectations of a prolonged period before recovery, and the reduction in active U.S. land oil rig count, the Company performed an interim test for impairment of goodwill during the third quarter of 2015 that resulted in the full impairment of goodwill related to the IOS acquisition. Additionally, during the second quarter of 2016, the Company performed an interim impairment test due to further deterioration in projections that resulted in impairment of property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets as described in Notes 4 and 5.  The following table summarizes the estimates of the fair values of the identifiable intangible assets acquired:     Intangible Asset November 23, 2015 - Tew Plus March 13, 2015 - IOS January 13, 2015 - Tew   Trade name $ - $ 2,641 $ 870  Customer relationships 817 41,171 10,035  Technology 203 4,364 2,480  Non-competition agreements 54 2,178 663  Total identified intangible assets $ 1,074 $ 50,354 ** $ 14,048  **- See Note 5 regarding intangible asset impairments.  

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	4. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT  Property, plant, and equipment at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 consist of the following:      June 30, December 31,  2016 2015  Land $ 14,592 $ 17,054  Improvements to land and leaseholds 16,598 16,590  Buildings 33,252 39,366  Machinery and equipment, including equipment under capitalized leases 116,470 118,677  Construction in progress 4,917 11,844  185,829 203,531   Less accumulated depreciation and amortization, including accumulated amortization of capitalized leases 77,204 76,786  $ 108,625 $ 126,745  We review our property, plant, and equipment for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. We recognize an impairment loss if the carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. Due to the deterioration in projected results from the IOS subsidiary within the Tubular and Energy Services segment, the undiscounted cash flows were unable to support the carrying value of the asset group. The Company utilized level 3 unobservable inputs, specifically, the discounted cash flow method, to determine the expected net cash flows generated by the continued use of the assets. As a result of the testing, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment of $14,956 during the period ended June 30, 2016. The impairment is included within “ A sset impairments” caption of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The results of the impairment analysis are substantially complete and will be finalized during the third quarter 2016.

Goodwill and Definite-Lived Int

Goodwill and Definite-Lived Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Goodwill and Definite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
GOODWILL AND DEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS	5. GOODWILL AND DEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS  The following table represents the goodwill balance by reportable segment:     Rail Products and Services Construction Products Tubular and Energy Services Total  Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 48,188 $ 5,147 $ 28,417 $ 81,752  Foreign currency translation impact (867) - - (867)  Disposition (154) - - (154)  Impairment charges (28,342) - (28,417) (56,759)  Balance at June 30, 2016 $ 18,825 $ 5,147 $ - $ 23,972   The Company performs goodwill impairment tests annually during the fourth quarter, and also performs interim goodwill impairment tests if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying amount. Qualitative factors are assessed to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying amount. During the current quarter, various reporting units underperformed against their projections and revised their forecasts downward. The revised forecasts, which were primarily attributable to weakness in the rail and energy markets, indicated longer recovery horizons than we previously projected . In connection with the revisions to the longer term projections and a substantial decline in market capitalization, the Company concluded that these qualitative factors indicated that there was a more likely than not risk that the carrying value of goodwill exceeded its fair value.  As a result of the Company’s qualitative review, with the assistance of an independent valuatio n firm, the Company performed a quantitative interim test for impairment of goodwill as of June 1, 2016. The valuation included the use of both the income and market approaches. Greater weighting was applied to the income approach as the Company believes it is the most reliable indication of value as it captures forecasted revenues and earnings for the reporting units in the projection period that the market approach may not directly incorporate. In addition, a lack of comparable market transactions in recent months has limited the availability of information necessary for the market approach.  The results of the test indicated that the Rail Technologies (within the Rail Products and Services segment), Chemtec (or “precision measurement systems”), and coated services (Chemtec and coated services are within the Tubular and Energy Services segment) reporting units’ respective fair values were less than their carrying value. All other reporting units that maintain goodwill substantially exceeded their carrying value and were not at risk of impairment. As a result of the continued weakness in the commodity cycles impacting the energy and rail markets, the near term projections of these reporting units have deteriorated and the expected future growth of the Rail Technologies, Chemtec, and coated services reporting units was determined to be insufficient to support the carrying values.  The Company determined the implied fair values of the Rail Technologies, Chemtec, and coated services reporting units by using level 3 unobservable inputs, which incorporated assumptions that we believe would be a reasonable market participant’s view in a hypothetical purchase, to develop the discounted cash flows of the respective reporting units. Significant level 3 inputs included the projected revenue and cost growth rates, capital expenditures, and weighted average costs of capital assumptions. The resulting fair values of each reporting unit were allocated to the assets and liabilities of the respective reporting unit as if each reporting unit had been acquired in business combinations as of the test date and the fair value was the purchase price paid to acquire each reporting unit. The results of the step 2 analysis indicated that the carrying amounts of the goodwill of Rail Technologies, Chemtec, and coated services exceeded the implied fair values of that goodwill. A ccordingly, the Company recognized a non-cash goodwill impairment of $56,759, which represented the full impairment of goodwill within the Chemtec and coated services reporting units and approximately 60% of the Rail Technologies goodwill value. The results of the step 2 analysis are substantially complete and will be finalized during the third quarter 2016.  The following table represents the gross definite-lived intangible assets balance by reportable segment:     June 30, December 31,  2016 2015  Rail Products and Services $ 57,470 $ 59,226  Construction Products 1,348 1,348  Tubular and Energy Services 31,742 98,166  $ 90,560 $ 158,740  Due to the indicators previously noted, the Company performed recoverability tests on reporting units when it was more likely than not that the carrying value of the long-lived asset group would not be recoverable. The results of our testing indicated that the long-lived assets related to the IOS and Chemtec divisions, within the Tubular and Energy Services segment, had carrying values in excess of the asset groups’ fair value. Based upon level 3 unobservable inputs, the Company incorporated assumptions that we believe would be a reasonable market participant’s view in a hypothetical purchase, to develop the discounted cash flows. Significant level 3 inputs included the projected revenue and cost growth rates, capital expenditures, and weighted average costs of capital assumptions. As a result of the analysis, the Company recorded a $42, 982 non-cash impairment of definite-lived intangible asset s related to the IOS division and a $14,241 non-cash impairment of definite-lived intangible asset s related to the Chemtec division. The results of the impairment analysis are substantially complete and will be finalized during the third quarter 2016. The components of the Company’s definite-lived intangible assets are as follows:      June 30, 2016  Weighted Average Gross Net  Amortization Period Carrying Accumulated Carrying  In Years Value Amortization Amount   Non-compete agreements 5 $ 4,319 $ (1,782) $ 2,537  Patents 10 387 (142) 245  Customer relationships 17 39,707 (5,518) 34,189  Trademarks and trade names 14 10,199 (2,831) 7,368  Technology 14 35,948 (9,867) 26,081  $ 90,560 $ (20,140) $ 70,420         December 31, 2015  Weighted Average Gross Net  Amortization Period Carrying Accumulated Carrying  In Years Value Amortization Amount   Non-compete agreements 4 $ 6,984 $ (2,495) $ 4,489  Patents 10 378 (124) 254  Customer relationships 16 94,338 (8,441) 85,897  Supplier relationships 5 350 (335) 15  Trademarks and trade names 13 14,252 (3,025) 11,227  Technology 13 42,438 (9,393) 33,045  $ 158,740 $ (23,813) $ 134,927  Definite-lived i ntangible assets are amortized over their useful lives ranging from 2 to 25 years, with a total weighted average amortization period of approximately 15 years at June 30, 2016. Amortization expense for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 was $ 2,789 and $ 3 ,456 , respectively. Amortization expense for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 was $ 6,055 and $ 5,613 , respectively. Estimated amortization expense for the remainder of 2016 and thereafter is as follows:     Amortization Expense  2016 $ 3,687  2017 7,361  2018 7,256  2019 6,525  2020 6,142  2021 and thereafter 39,449  $ 70,420 

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE	6. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE Credit is extended based upon an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition and, while collateral is not required, the Company periodically receives surety bonds that guarantee payment. Credit terms are consistent with industry standards and practices. The amounts of trade accounts receivable at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 have been reduced by an allowance for doubtful accounts of $ 1,417 and $ 1,485 , respectively.

Inventories

Inventories	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Inventories [Abstract]
Inventories	 7. INVENTORIES  Inventories at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are summarized in the following table:     June 30, December 31,  2016 2015   Finished goods $ 60,185 $ 62,547  Work-in-process 20,252 20,178  Raw materials 20,009 19,492  Total inventories at current costs 100,446 102,217  Less: LIFO reserve (5,296) (5,821)  $ 95,150 $ 96,396  Inventory is generally valued at the lower of last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) cost or market. Other inventories of the Company are valued at average cost or market, whichever is lower. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method is made at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Interim LIFO calculations are based on management’s estimates of expected year-end levels and costs.

Investments

Investments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Investments [Abstract]
INVESTMENTS	8. INVESTMENTS  The Company is a member of a joint venture, LB Pipe & Coupling Products, LLC (“LB Pipe JV”), in which it maintains a 45 % ownership interest. LB Pipe JV manufactures, markets, and sells various precision coupling products for the energy, utility, and construction markets and is scheduled to terminate on June 30, 2019.  Under applicable guidance for variable interest entities in ASC 810, “Consolidation,” the Company determined that the LB Pipe JV is a variable interest entity. The Company concluded that it is not the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entity, as the Company does not have a controlling financial interest and does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the LB Pipe JV. Accordingly, the Company concluded that the equity method of accounting remains appropriate.  As of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had a nonconsolidated equity method investment of $ 4,521 and $ 5,246 , respectively, in LB Pipe JV and other equity investments totaling $117 and $75 , respectively.  The Company recorded equity in the loss of LB Pipe JV of $ 476 and $ 186 for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded equity in the loss of LB Pipe JV of $725 and equity in the income of the LB Pipe JV of $3 , respectively.  The Company tested the investment for recoverability during the period ended June 30, 2016 and concluded that the investment value was recoverable based upon the undiscounted cash flows of the LB Pipe JV. The Company continues to monitor the recoverability of the assets associated with LB Pipe JV and the long-term financial projections of the businesses.  During the six-month period ended June 30, 2015, the Company received cash distributions of $90 . There were no changes to the members’ ownership interests as a result of the distribution. During 2016, the Company and the other 45% member each executed a revolving line of credit with the LB Pipe JV with an available limit of $750 . The Company and the other 45% member each loaned $575 to the LB Pipe JV in an effort to maintain compliance with the LB Pipe JV’s debt covenants with an unaffiliated bank. The Company’s loan with the LB Pipe JV matures on December 15, 2016. The Company’s exposure to loss results from its capital contributions and lending activity, net of the Company’s share of the LB Pipe JV’s income or loss, and its net investment in the direct financing lease covering the facility used by the LB Pipe JV for its operations, which is described below. The carrying amounts with the maximum exposure to loss of the Company at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, are as follows:     June 30, December 31,  2016 2015   LB Pipe JV equity method investment $ 4,521 $ 5,246  Loan receivable 575 -  Net investment in direct financing lease 929 995  $ 6,025 $ 6,241  The Company is leasing five acres of land and two facilities to the LB Pipe JV through June 30, 2019 , with a 5.5 - year renewal period. The current monthly lease payments approximate $ 17 , with a balloon payment of approximately $ 488, which is required to be paid either at the termination of the lease, allocated over the renewal period, or during the initial term of the lease. This lease qualifies as a direct financing lease under the applicable guidance in ASC 840-30, “Leases.”  The following is a schedule of the direct financing minimum lease payments for the remainder of 2016 and the years 2017 and thereafter:     Minimum Lease Payments  2016 $ 65  2017 140  2018 150  2019 574  $ 929 

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	9. LONG-TERM DEBT  United States  Long-term debt consists of the following:     June 30, December 31,  2016 2015   Revolving credit facility $ 165,270 $ 165,000  Capital leases and financing agreements 3,095 3,754  Total 168,365 168,754  Less current maturities 1,335 1,335  Long-term portion $ 167,030 $ 167,419  On June 29, 2016, L.B. Foster Company, its domestic subsidiaries, and certain of its Canadian subsidiaries (“L.B. Foster”) entered into the First Amendment (the “First Amendment”) to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated March 13, 2015 (the “Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”), with PNC Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, and Branch Banking and Trust Company. This First Amendment modifies the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, which had a maximum credit line of $335,000 . The First Amendment reduces the permitted borrowings to $275,000 . The Company’s and the domestic guarantors’ obligations under the First Amendment is secured by the grant of a security interest by the domestic borrowers and domestic guarantors in substantially all of the personal property owned by such entities. Additionally, the equity interests in each of the domestic loan parties, other than the Company, and the equity interests held by each domestic loan party in their domestic subsidiaries, are pledged to the lenders as collateral for the lending obligations.  Borrowings under the First Amendment bear interest at rates based upon either the base rate or Euro-rate plus applicable margins. Applicable margins are dictated by the ratio of the Company’s indebtedness less consolidated cash on hand to the Company’s consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the underlying Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The base rate is the highest of (a) PNC Bank’s prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50% or (c) the daily Euro-rate (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) plus 1.00% . The base rate and Euro-rate spreads range from 0.025% to 2.25% and 1.25% to 3.25% , respectively. The First Amendment provides that liens on the collateral will be released upon satisfaction of certain conditions, including the submission by the loan parties of a compliance certificate for two consecutive fiscal quarters, calculated for the four consecutive fiscal quarters then ending, each evidencing a Leverage Ratio (defined as the Company’s indebtedness less cash on hand in excess of $15,000, divided by the Company’s consolidated EBITDA) of less than or equal to 2.75 to 1.00; provided that the last day of such two consecutive fiscal quarters cannot be earlier than June 30, 2018. Certain financial covenants in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement were also amended. The First Amendment revises the maximum Leverage Ratio, which must not exceed the amounts set forth below for applicable fiscal quarters: June 30, 2016 and September 30, 2016 , 4.75 to 1.00; December 31, 2016, 4.50 to 1.00; March 31, 2017, 4.25 to 1.00; June 30, 2017, 4.00 to 1.00; September 30, 2017, 3.75 to 1.00; December 31, 2017, 3.50 to 1.00; and March 31, 2018 and all fiscal quarters ending thereafter , 3.25 to 1.00.  At June 30, 2016, the Company was in compliance with the covenants in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement as revised by the First Amendment. Loans and advances to non-loan parties and loans, advances, and investments by domestic loan parties to subsidiaries that are not loan parties and to foreign loan parties is not permitted to exceed $10,000 in the aggregate at any one time, provided that, on March 31, 2018, when the maximum Leverage Ratio requirement is 3.25 to 1.00, this limit will increase to $75,000 . The First Amendment permits the Company to pay dividends, distributions, and make redemptions with respect to its stock provided no event of default or potential default (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) has occurred prior to or after giving effect to the dividend, distribution, or redemption. Dividends, distributions, and redemptions are capped at $4,000 per year when funds are drawn on the facility until March 31, 2018, when the maximum Leverage Ratio requirement is 3.25 to 1.00, at which time this limit will increase to $25,000 . Dividends of $829 or $0.08 per share were distributed for the six-month period ended June 30, 2016. If no drawings on the facility exist, dividends, distributions, and redemptions in excess of $4,000 (or $25,000, as appropriate) per year are subjected to a limitation of $75,000 in the aggregate. The $75,000 aggregate limitation also permits certain loans, investments, and acquisitions.  The First Amendment provides that each of the loan parties and their subsidiaries shall not enter into any merger, consolidation, or other reorganization, or acquire all or substantially all of the assets, division, business, stock, or other ownership interests or permit any consolidation or merger with an aggregate consideration in excess of $12,000 until after March 31, 2018.  At June 30, 2016, the Company had outstanding letters of credit of approximately $ 425 and had gross available borrowing capacity of $ 109,305 . The maturity date of the facility is March 13, 2020 .  United Kingdom  A subsidiary of the Company has a credit facility with NatWest Bank for its United Kingdom operations that includes an overdraft availability of £ 1,500 pounds sterling (approximately $ 1,997 at June 30, 2016). This credit facility supports the subsidiary’s working capital requirements and is collateralized by substantially all of the assets of its United Kingdom operations . The interest rate on this facility is the financial institution’s base rate plus 1.50% . Outstanding performance bonds reduce availability under this credit facility. The subsidiary of the Company had no outstanding borrowings under this credit facility as of June 30, 2016. There was approximately $ 352 in outstanding guarantees (as defined in the underlying agreement) at June 30, 2016. This credit facility was renewed and amended during the fourth quarter of 2015 to include Tew and Tew Plus as parties to the agreement. All other underlying terms and conditions remained unchanged as a result of the renewal. It is the Company’s intention to renew this credit facility with NatWest Bank during the annual review in 2016.  The United Kingdom credit facility contains certain financial covenants that require that subsidiary to maintain senior interest and cash flow coverage ratios. The subsidiary was in compliance with these financial covenants as of June 30, 2016. The subsidiary had available borrowing capacity of $ 1,645 as of June 30, 2016.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	10. Fair Value Measurements  The Company determines the fair value of assets and liabilities based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The fair values are based on assumptions that market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in valuation techniques and the inputs to valuations. The fair value hierarchy is based on whether the inputs to valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s own assumptions of what market participants would use. The fair value hierarchy includes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value as described below:  Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data. Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.  A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  Cash equivalents - Included within “Cash and cash equivalents” are investments in non-domestic term deposits. The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of the instruments.  LIBOR-Based interest rate swaps - To reduce the impact of interest rate changes on outstanding variable-rate debt, the Company entered into forward starting LIBOR-Based interest rate swaps with notional values totaling $50,000 . The swaps will become effective in February 2017 at which point it will effectively convert a portion of the debt from variable to fixed-rate borrowings during the term of the swap contract. The fair value of the interest rate swaps is based on market-observable forward interest rates and represents the estimated amount that the Company would pay to terminate the agreements. As such, the swap agreements are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. At June 30, 2016 the interest rate swaps were recorded within other accrued liabilities.     Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using   June 30, 2016 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) December 31, 2015 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)   Term deposits $ 3,016 $ 3,016 $ - $ - $ 1,939 $ 1,939 $ - $ -  Total assets $ 3,016 $ 3,016 $ - $ - $ 1,939 $ 1,939 $ - $ -  Interest rate swaps $ 2,532 $ - $ 2,532 $ - $ 196 $ - $ 196 $ -  Total liabilities $ 2,532 $ - $ 2,532 $ - $ 196 $ - $ 196 $ - 

Earnings Per Common Share

Earnings Per Common Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Common Share [Abstract]
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	11. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Share amounts in thousands)  The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common share for the periods indicated:     Three Months Ended Six Months Ended  June 30, June 30,  2016 2015 2016 2015   Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per common share -  (Loss) income available to common stockholders:  Net (loss) income $ (91,996) $ 5,362 $ (94,828) $ 9,649  Denominator:  Weighted average shares outstanding 10,263 10,284 10,248 10,272  Denominator for basic earnings per common share 10,263 10,284 10,248 10,272  Effect of dilutive securities:  Employee stock options - - - 1  Other stock compensation plans - 86 - 112  Dilutive potential common shares - 86 - 113  Denominator for diluted earnings per common share - adjusted weighted average shares outstanding and assumed conversions 10,263 10,370 10,248 10,385  Basic (loss) earnings per common share $ (8.96) $ 0.52 $ (9.25) $ 0.94  Diluted (loss) earnings per common share $ (8.96) $ 0.52 $ (9.25) $ 0.93  Dividends paid per common share $ 0.04 $ 0.04 $ 0.08 $ 0.08  During the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2016 , there were approximately 47 and 46 anti-dilutive shares excluded from the preceding calculation, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation	12. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION  The Company applies the provisions of FASB ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation,” to account for the Company’s share-based compensation. Share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the calculated fair value of the award and is recognized over the employees’ requisite service period. The Company recorded stock compensation expense of $ 807 and $ 1,276 for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, related to restricted stock awards and performance unit awards. Stock compensation expense of $ 555 and $ 1,896 was recorded for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. At June 30, 2016, unrecognized compensation expense for awards that the Company expects to vest approximated $2,170 . The Company will recognize this expense over the upcoming three years through June 2019.  Shares issued as a result of vested stock-based compensation generally will be from previously issued shares that have been reacquired by the Company and held as Treasury shares or authorized but previously unissued common stock.  During the six-month periods ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized reductions in excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation of $124 and excess tax benefits of $ 310, respectively. The change in excess income tax benefits have been included in cash flows from financing activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.  Stock Option Awards  At June 30, 2016, there were no outstanding and exercisable stock options. During the first quarter of 2015, the remaining 7,500 outstanding stock options were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $9.08 . There were no new grants of stock option awards during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2016 and 2015. Restricted Stock Awards and Performance Unit Awards  Under the amended and restated 2006 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan, the Company grants eligible employees restricted stock and performance unit awards. The forfeitable restricted stock awards granted prior to March 2015 generally time-vest after a four - year holding period, and those granted subsequent to March 2015 generally time-vest ratably over a three -year period, unless indicated otherwise by the underlying restricted stock award agreement. Performance unit awards are offered annually under separate three-year long-term incentive plans. Performance units are subject to forfeiture and will be converted into common stock of the Company based upon the Company’s performance relative to performance measures and conversion multiples as defined in the underlying plan. If the Company’s estimate of the number of performance stock awards expected to vest changes in a subsequent accounting period, cumulative compensation expense could increase or decrease. The change will be recognized in the current period for the vested shares and would change future expense over the remaining vesting period.  During the quarter ended June 30, 2016, the Company amended its 2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan and registered 370,000 additional shares under the amendment. During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, the Compensation Committee approved the 2016 Performance Share Unit Program, the Executive Annual Incentive Compensation Plan (consisting of cash and equity components) and the 2016 Free Cash Flow Program (cash award only). The Compensation Committee also certified the actual performance achievement of participants in the 2013 Performance Share Unit Program. Actual performance resulted in no payout relative to the target performance metrics.  The following table summarizes the restricted stock award and performance unit award activity for the period ended June 30, 2016:    Restricted Performance Weighted Average  Stock Stock Grant Date  Units Units Fair Value  Outstanding at December 31, 2015 93,817 35,999 $ 39.66  Granted 43,283 129,844 12.59  Vested (43,453) - 29.30  Adjustment for incentive awards not expected to vest - (93,103) 24.79  Canceled (6,021) (9,050) 18.82  Outstanding at June 30, 2016 87,626 63,690 $ 22.28 

Retirement Plans

Retirement Plans	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Retirement Plans [Abstract]
RETIREMENT PLANS	13. RETIREMENT PLANS  Retirement Plans  The Company has seven retirement plans which cover its hourly and salaried employees in the United States: three defined benefit plans ( one active / two frozen) and four defined contribution plans. Employees are eligible to participate in the appropriate plan based on employment classification. The Company's funding contributions to the defined benefit and defined contribution plans are governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA"), applicable plan policy and investment guidelines. The Company’s policy is to contribute at least the minimum in accordance with the funding standards of ERISA.  The Company’s subsidiary, L.B. Foster Rail Technologies, Inc. (“Rail Technologies”), maintains two defined contribution plans for its employees in Canada, as well as a post-retirement benefit plan. In the United Kingdom, Rail Technologies maintains two defined contribution plans and a defined benefit plan. United States Defined Benefit Plans  Net periodic pension costs for the United States defined benefit pension plans for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:     Three Months Ended Six Months Ended  June 30, June 30,  2016 2015 2016 2015   Service cost $ 9 $ 9 $ 18 $ 19  Interest cost 186 185 372 370  Expected return on plan assets (179) (204) (358) (408)  Recognized net actuarial loss 69 69 138 138  Net periodic pension cost $ 85 $ 59 $ 170 $ 119  The Company does not expect to contribute to its United States defined benefit plans in 2016.  United Kingdom Defined Benefit Plans  Net periodic pension costs for the United Kingdom defined benefit pension plan for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:     Three Months Ended Six Months Ended  June 30, June 30,  2016 2015 2016 2015   Interest cost $ 75 $ 77 $ 150 $ 153  Expected return on plan assets (84) (83) (168) (166)  Amortization of prior service costs and transition amount 5 5 10 10  Recognized net actuarial loss 39 59 78 117  Net periodic pension cost $ 35 $ 58 $ 70 $ 114  United Kingdom regulations require trustees to adopt a prudent approach to funding required contributions to defined benefit pension plans. Employer contributions of approximately $ 247 are anticipated to the United Kingdom L.B. Foster Rail Technologies, Inc. pension plan during 2016. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company contributed approximately $ 120 to the plan.  Defined Contribution Plans  The Company sponsors eight defined contribution plans for hourly and salaried employees across our domestic and international facilities. The following table summarizes the expense associated with the contributions made to these plans.    Three Months Ended Six Months Ended  June 30, June 30,  2016 2015 2016 2015   United States $ 445 $ 747 $ 1,137 $ 1,429  Canada 67 55 118 114  United Kingdom 160 115 218 198  $ 672 $ 917 $ 1,473 $ 1,741 

Commitments and Contingent Liab

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES	 14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES  Product Liability Claims  The Company is subject to product warranty claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business. For certain manufactured products, the Company maintains a product warranty accrual which is adjusted on a monthly basis as a percentage of cost of sales. The product warranty accrual is periodically adjusted based on the identification or resolution of known individual product warranty claims. The following table sets forth the Company’s product warranty accrual:      Warranty Liability  Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 8,755  Additions to warranty liability 461  Warranty liability utilized (467)  Balance at June 30, 2016 $ 8,749  Included within the above table are concrete tie warranty reserves of approximately $ 7,490 and $ 7,544 as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.  Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) Concrete Tie Matter On July 12, 2011, UPRR notified (the “UPRR Notice”) the Company and its subsidiary, CXT Incorporated (“CXT”), of a warranty claim under CXT’s 2005 supply contract relating to the sale of pre-stressed concrete railroad ties to UPRR. UPRR asserted that a significant percentage of concrete ties manufactured in 2006 through 2011 at CXT’s Grand Island, NE facility failed to meet contract specifications, had workmanship defects and were cracking and failing prematurely. Of the 3.0 million ties manufactured between 1998 and 2011 from the Grand Island, NE facility, approximately 1.6 million ties were sold during the period UPRR had claimed nonconformance. The 2005 contract called for each concrete tie which failed to conform to the specifications or had a material defect in workmanship to be replaced with 1.5 new concrete ties, provided, that, within five years of the sale of a concrete tie, UPRR notified CXT of such failure to conform or such defect in workmanship. The UPRR Notice did not specify how many ties manufactured during this period were defective nor the exact nature of the alleged workmanship defect. Following the UPRR Notice, the Company worked with material scientists and pre-stressed concrete experts to test a representative sample of Grand Island, NE concrete ties and assess warranty claims for certain concrete ties made in its Grand Island, NE facility between 1998 and 2011. The Company discontinued manufacturing operations in Grand Island, NE in early 2011. 2012 During 2012, the Company completed sufficient testing and analysis to further understand this matter. Based upon testing results and expert analysis, the Company believed it discovered conditions, which largely related to the 2006 to 2007 manufacturing period, that can shorten the life of the concrete ties produced during this period. During the fourth quarter of 2012 and first quarter of 2013, the Company reached agreement with UPRR on several matters including a process for the Company and UPRR to work together to identify, prioritize, and replace defective ties that meet the criteria for replacement. This process applies to the ties the Company shipped to UPRR from its Grand Island, NE facility from 1998 to 2011. During most of this period the Company’s warranty policy for UPRR carried a 5 year warranty with a 1.5:1 replacement ratio for any defective ties. In order to accommodate UPRR and other customer concerns, the Company also reverted to a previously used warranty policy providing a 15-year warranty with a 1:1 replacement ratio. This change provided an additional 10 years of warranty protection. In the amended 2005 supply agreement, the Company and UPRR also extended the supply of Tucson ties by five years and agreed on a cash payment of $12,000 to UPRR as compensation for concrete ties already replaced by UPRR during the investigation period. During 2012, as a result of the testing that the Company conducted on concrete ties manufactured at its former Grand Island, NE facility and the developments related to UPRR and other customer matters, the Company recorded pre-tax warranty charges of $22,000 in “Cost of Goods Sold” within its Rail Products and Services segment based on the Company’s estimate of the number of defective concrete ties that will ultimately require replacement during the applicable warranty periods. 2013 Throughout 2013, at UPRR’s request and under the terms of the amended 2005 supply agreement, the Company provided warranty replacement concrete ties for use across certain UPRR subdivisions. The Company attempted to reconcile the quantity of warranty claims for ties replaced and obtain supporting detail for the ties removed. The Company believes that UPRR did not replace concrete ties in accordance with the amended agreement and has not furnished adequate documentation throughout the replacement process in these subdivisions to support its full warranty claim. Based on the information received by the Company to date, the Company believes that a significant number of ties which UPRR replaced in these subdivisions did not meet the criteria to be covered as warranty replacement ties under the amended 2005 supply agreement. The disagreement related to the 2013 warranty replacement activity includes approximately 170,000 ties where the Company provided detailed documentation supporting our position with reason codes that detail why these ties are not eligible for a warranty claim. In late November 2013, the Company received notice from UPRR asserting a material breach of the amended 2005 supply agreement. UPRR’s notice asserted that the failure to honor its claims for warranty ties in these subdivisions was a material breach. Following receipt of this notice, the Company provided information to UPRR to refute UPRR’s claim of breach and included the reconciliation of warranty claims supported by substantial findings from the Company’s track observation team, all within the 90-day cure period. The Company also proposed further discussions to reach agreement on reconciliation for 2013 replacement activities and future replacement activities and a recommended process that will ensure future replacement activities are done with appropriate documentation and per the terms of the amended 2005 supply agreement. 2014 During the first quarter of 2014, the Company further responded within the 90-day cure period to UPRR’s claim and presented a reconciliation for the subdivisions at issue. This proposed reconciliation was based on empirical data and visual observation from Company employees that were present during the replacement process for a substantial majority of the concrete ties replaced. The Company spent considerable time documenting facts related to concrete tie condition and track condition to assess whether the ties replaced met the criteria to be eligible for replacement under the terms of the amended 2005 supply agreement. During 2014, the Company increased its accrual by an additional $8,766 based on revised estimates of ties to be replaced based upon scientific testing and other analysis, adjusted for ties already provided to UPRR. The Company continued to work with UPRR to identify, replace, and reconcile defective ties related to the warranty claim in accordance with the amended 2005 supply agreement. The Company and UPRR met during the third quarter of 2014 to evaluate each other’s position in an effort to work towards agreement on the unreconciled 2013 and 2014 replacement activity as well as the standards and practices to be implemented for future replacement activity and warranty tie replacement. In November and December of 2014, the Company received additional notices from UPRR asserting that ties manufactured in 2000 were defective and again asserting material breaches of the amended 2005 supply agreement relating to warranty tie replacements as well as certain new ties provided to UPRR being out of specification. As of December 31, 2014, the Company and UPRR had not been able to reconcile the disagreement related to the 2013 and 2014 warranty replacement activity. The disagreement relating to the 2014 warranty replacement activity includes approximately 90,100 ties that the Company believes are not warranty-eligible. 2015 On January 23, 2015, UPRR filed a Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial in the District Court for Douglas County, NE against the Company and its subsidiary, CXT, asserting, among other matters, that the Company breached its express warranty, breached an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and anticipatorily repudiated its warranty obligations, and that UPRR’s exclusive and limited remedy provisions in the supply agreement have failed of their essential purpose which entitles UPRR to recover all incidental and consequential damages. The Complaint seeks to cancel all duties of UPRR under the contract, to adjudge the Company as having no remaining rights under the contracts, and to recover damages in an amount to be determined at trial for the value of unfulfilled warranty replacement ties and ties likely to become warranty eligible, for costs of cover for replacement ties, and for various incidental and consequential damages. The amended 2005 supply agreement provides that UPRR’s exclusive remedy is to receive a replacement tie that meets the contract specifications for each tie that failed to meet the contract specifications or otherwise contained a material defect provided that the Company receives written notice of such failure or defect within 15 years after that tie was produced. The amended 2005 supply agreement provides that the Company’s warranty does not apply to ties that (a) have been repaired or altered without the Company’s written consent in such a way as to affect the stability or reliability thereof, (b) have been subject to misuse, negligence, or accident, or (c) have been improperly maintained or used contrary to the specifications for which such ties were produced. The amended 2005 supply agreement also continues to provide that the Company’s warranty is in lieu of all other express or implied warranties and that neither party shall be subject to or liable for any incidental or consequential damages to the other party. The dispute is largely based on (1) claims submitted that the Company believes are for ties claimed for warranty replacement that are inaccurately rated and are not the responsibility of the Company and claims that do not meet the criteria of a warranty replacement and (2) UPRR’s assertion, which the Company vigorously disputes, that UPRR in future years will be entitled to warranty replacement ties for virtually all of the Grand Island ties. Many thousands of Grand Island ties have been performing in track for over ten years. In addition, a significant amount of Grand Island ties were rated by both parties in the excellent category of the rating system. In June 2015, UPRR delivered an additional notice alleging deficiencies in certain ties produced in the Company’s Tucson and Spokane locations and other claimed material breaches which the Company contends are unfounded. The Company again responded to UPRR that it was not in material breach of the amended 2005 supply agreement relating to warranty tie replacements and that the ties in question complied with the specifications provided by UPRR. On June 16 and 17, 2015, UPRR issued formal notice of the termination of the concrete tie supply agreement as well as the termination of the lease agreement at the Tucson, AZ production facility and rejection and revocation of its prior acceptance of certain ties manufactured at the Company’s Spokane, WA production facility. Since that time, UPRR has discontinued submitting purchase orders to the Company for shipment of warranty replacement ties. On May 29, 2015, the Company and CXT filed an Answer, Affirmative Defenses and Counterclaims in response to the Complaint, denying liability to UPRR. As a result of UPRR’s subsequent June 16-17, 2015 actions and certain related conduct, the Company on October 5, 2015 amended the pending Answer, Affirmative Defenses and Counterclaims to add, among other things, assertions that UPRR’s conduct in question was wrongful and unjustified and constituted additional grounds for the affirmative defenses to UPRR’s claims and also for the Company’s counterclaims.  2016 By Scheduling Order dated June 29 , 201 6 , a n August 31, 2017 deadline for the completion of fact discovery has been established and trial may proceed at some future date after October 30, 2017, and UPRR has filed an amended notice of trial to commence on October 30, 2017. During the first six months of 2016, the parties continue conducting discovery. The Company intends to continue to engage in discussions in an effort to resolve the UPRR matter. However, we cannot predict that such discussions will be successful, or that the results of the litigation with UPRR, or any settlement or judgment amounts, will reasonably approximate our estimated accruals for loss contingencies. Future potential costs pertaining to UPRR’s claims and the outcome of the UPRR litigation could result in a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.  As a result of the preliminary status of the litigation and the uncertainty of any potential judgment, an estimate of any additional loss, or a range of loss, associated with this litigation cannot be made based upon currently available information.  Environmental and Legal Proceedings  The Company is subject to national, state, foreign, provincial, and/or local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. The Company’s efforts to comply with environmental regulations may have an adverse effect on its future earnings. In the opinion of management, compliance with the present environmental protection laws will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, competitive position, or capital expenditures of the Company.  At June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company maintained environmental reserves approximating $ 6,622 and $ 6,640 , respectively. The following table sets forth the Company’s environmental obligation:       Environmental liability   Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 6,640  Additions to environmental obligations 24  Environmental obligations utilized (42)  Balance at June 30, 2016 $ 6,622  The Company is also subject to other legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business. The amounts currently reserved are immaterial to our financial position and liquidity and the estimate of additional loss exposure is immaterial to our results of operations.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Income Taxes [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	15. INCOME TAXES  The Company’s effective income tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 was 28.9 % and 29.0% , respectively, and 31.5% and 33.4% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 differed from the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the discrete impact of asset impairments in the quarter ended June 30, 2016. The $ 128,938 asset impairment related to both tax deductible and nondeductible assets, and resulted in a $38,038 income tax benefit.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS  Management evaluated all of the activity of the Company and concluded that no subsequent events have occurred that would require recognition in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements or disclosure in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Financial Statements (Policy)

Financial Statements (Policy)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of presentation [Policy Text Block]	Basis of Presentation  The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all estimates and adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. However, actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016. The year-end Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015 was derived from audited financial statements. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” and the “Company” refer collectively to L.B. Foster Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. 
Recently issued accounting standards [Policy Text Block]	Recently issued accounting standards  In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” (“ASU 2014-09”), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification 605, “Revenue Recognition.” ASU 2014-09 is based on the principle that revenue is recognized 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. It 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 obtain or fulfill a contract. ASU 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating its implementation approach and assessing the impact of ASU 2014-09 on our financial position and results of operations.  In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”. The new accounting requirements include the accounting for, presentation of, and classification of leases. The guidance will result in most leases being capitalized as a right of use asset with a related liability on our balance sheets. The requirements of the new standard are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company is in the process of analyzing the impact of ASU 2016-02 on our financial position and results of operations.  In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, "Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718)." This standard makes several modifications to Topic 718 related to the accounting for forfeitures, employer tax withholding on share-based compensation , and the financial statement presentation of excess tax benefits or deficiencies. ASU 2016-09 also clarifies the statement of cash flows presentation for certain components of share-based awards. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, although early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of analyzing the impact of ASU 2016-09 on our financial position and results of operations.

Inventories (Policies)

Inventories (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Inventories [Abstract]
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Inventory is generally valued at the lower of last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) cost or market. Other inventories of the Company are valued at average cost or market, whichever is lower. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method is made at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Interim LIFO calculations are based on management’s estimates of expected year-end levels and costs.

Stock-Based Compensation (Polic

Stock-Based Compensation (Policy)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	The Company applies the provisions of FASB ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation,” to account for the Company’s share-based compensation. Share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the calculated fair value of the award and is recognized over the employees’ requisite service period.

Business Segments (Tables)

Business Segments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Business Segments [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	   Three Months Ended Six Months Ended  June 30, 2016 June 30, 2016  Net Segment Net Segment  Sales Profit (loss) Sales Profit (loss)   Rail Products and Services $ 67,503 $ (25,168) $ 131,795 $ (24,427)  Construction Products 40,348 3,944 72,228 4,392  Tubular and Energy Services 28,143 (102,983) 58,281 (104,910)  Total $ 135,994 $ (124,207) $ 262,304 $ (124,945)      Three Months Ended Six Months Ended  June 30, 2015 June 30, 2015  Net Segment Net Segment  Sales Profit Sales Profit   Rail Products and Services $ 86,882 $ 6,413 $ 164,558 $ 12,485  Construction Products 49,516 5,158 83,806 6,386  Tubular and Energy Services 35,021 358 60,962 2,316  Total $ 171,419 $ 11,929 $ 309,326 $ 21,187 
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	   Three Months Ended Six Months Ended  June 30, June 30,  2016 2015 2016 2015   (Loss) income for reportable segments $ (124,207) $ 11,929 $ (124,945) $ 21,187  Interest expense (1,652) (1,288) (2,822) (1,901)  Interest income 52 37 107 94  Other (expense) income (107) (95) (822) 708  LIFO income 452 406 525 400  Equity in loss of nonconsolidated investments (487) (186) (683) (13)  Corporate expense, cost of capital elimination, and other unallocated charges (3,476) (2,980) (4,934) (5,985)  (Loss) income before income taxes $ (129,425) $ 7,823 $ (133,574) $ 14,490 
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	  June 30, December 31,  2016 2015  Rail Products and Services $ 199,217 $ 241,222  Construction Products 90,382 86,335  Tubular and Energy Services 112,465 216,715  Unallocated corporate assets 67,952 22,388  Total $ 470,016 $ 566,660 

Acquisitions (Tables)

Acquisitions (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]	  Allocation of Purchase Price November 23, 2015 - Tew Plus March 13, 2015 - IOS January 13, 2015 - Tew  Current assets $ 4,420 $ 19,877 $ 12,125  Other assets - 708 -  Property, plant, and equipment 47 51,453 * 2,398  Goodwill 822 69,908 * 8,772  Other intangibles 1,074 50,354 * 14,048  Liabilities assumed (3,597) (23,596) (6,465)  Total $ 2,766 $ 168,704 $ 30,878 
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination [Table Text Block]	   Intangible Asset November 23, 2015 - Tew Plus March 13, 2015 - IOS January 13, 2015 - Tew   Trade name $ - $ 2,641 $ 870  Customer relationships 817 41,171 10,035  Technology 203 4,364 2,480  Non-competition agreements 54 2,178 663  Total identified intangible assets $ 1,074 $ 50,354 ** $ 14,048 

Property, Plant and Equipment (

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	   June 30, December 31,  2016 2015  Land $ 14,592 $ 17,054  Improvements to land and leaseholds 16,598 16,590  Buildings 33,252 39,366  Machinery and equipment, including equipment under capitalized leases 116,470 118,677  Construction in progress 4,917 11,844  185,829 203,531   Less accumulated depreciation and amortization, including accumulated amortization of capitalized leases 77,204 76,786  $ 108,625 $ 126,745 

Goodwill and Definite-Lived I30

Goodwill and Definite-Lived Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Goodwill and Definite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]	   Rail Products and Services Construction Products Tubular and Energy Services Total  Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 48,188 $ 5,147 $ 28,417 $ 81,752  Foreign currency translation impact (867) - - (867)  Disposition (154) - - (154)  Impairment charges (28,342) - (28,417) (56,759)  Balance at June 30, 2016 $ 18,825 $ 5,147 $ - $ 23,972 
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	   June 30, December 31,  2016 2015  Rail Products and Services $ 57,470 $ 59,226  Construction Products 1,348 1,348  Tubular and Energy Services 31,742 98,166  $ 90,560 $ 158,740 
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	   June 30, 2016  Weighted Average Gross Net  Amortization Period Carrying Accumulated Carrying  In Years Value Amortization Amount   Non-compete agreements 5 $ 4,319 $ (1,782) $ 2,537  Patents 10 387 (142) 245  Customer relationships 17 39,707 (5,518) 34,189  Trademarks and trade names 14 10,199 (2,831) 7,368  Technology 14 35,948 (9,867) 26,081  $ 90,560 $ (20,140) $ 70,420         December 31, 2015  Weighted Average Gross Net  Amortization Period Carrying Accumulated Carrying  In Years Value Amortization Amount   Non-compete agreements 4 $ 6,984 $ (2,495) $ 4,489  Patents 10 378 (124) 254  Customer relationships 16 94,338 (8,441) 85,897  Supplier relationships 5 350 (335) 15  Trademarks and trade names 13 14,252 (3,025) 11,227  Technology 13 42,438 (9,393) 33,045  $ 158,740 $ (23,813) $ 134,927 
Schedule of Expected Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	   Amortization Expense  2016 $ 3,687  2017 7,361  2018 7,256  2019 6,525  2020 6,142  2021 and thereafter 39,449  $ 70,420 

Inventories (Tables)

Inventories (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Inventories [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory Of Continuing Operations [Table Text Block]	   June 30, December 31,  2016 2015   Finished goods $ 60,185 $ 62,547  Work-in-process 20,252 20,178  Raw materials 20,009 19,492  Total inventories at current costs 100,446 102,217  Less: LIFO reserve (5,296) (5,821)  $ 95,150 $ 96,396 

Investments (Tables)

Investments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Investments [Abstract]
Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table Text Block]	   June 30, December 31,  2016 2015   LB Pipe JV equity method investment $ 4,521 $ 5,246  Loan receivable 575 -  Net investment in direct financing lease 929 995  $ 6,025 $ 6,241 
Schedule of Direct Financing Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases [Table Text Block]	   Minimum Lease Payments  2016 $ 65  2017 140  2018 150  2019 574  $ 929 

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Long-Term Debt and Related Matters [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]	   June 30, December 31,  2016 2015   Revolving credit facility $ 165,270 $ 165,000  Capital leases and financing agreements 3,095 3,754  Total 168,365 168,754  Less current maturities 1,335 1,335  Long-term portion $ 167,030 $ 167,419 

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	   Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using   June 30, 2016 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) December 31, 2015 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)   Term deposits $ 3,016 $ 3,016 $ - $ - $ 1,939 $ 1,939 $ - $ -  Total assets $ 3,016 $ 3,016 $ - $ - $ 1,939 $ 1,939 $ - $ -  Interest rate swaps $ 2,532 $ - $ 2,532 $ - $ 196 $ - $ 196 $ -  Total liabilities $ 2,532 $ - $ 2,532 $ - $ 196 $ - $ 196 $ - 

Earnings Per Common Share (Tabl

Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Common Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	   Three Months Ended Six Months Ended  June 30, June 30,  2016 2015 2016 2015   Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per common share -  (Loss) income available to common stockholders:  Net (loss) income $ (91,996) $ 5,362 $ (94,828) $ 9,649  Denominator:  Weighted average shares outstanding 10,263 10,284 10,248 10,272  Denominator for basic earnings per common share 10,263 10,284 10,248 10,272  Effect of dilutive securities:  Employee stock options - - - 1  Other stock compensation plans - 86 - 112  Dilutive potential common shares - 86 - 113  Denominator for diluted earnings per common share - adjusted weighted average shares outstanding and assumed conversions 10,263 10,370 10,248 10,385  Basic (loss) earnings per common share $ (8.96) $ 0.52 $ (9.25) $ 0.94  Diluted (loss) earnings per common share $ (8.96) $ 0.52 $ (9.25) $ 0.93  Dividends paid per common share $ 0.04 $ 0.04 $ 0.08 $ 0.08 

Stock-Based Compensation (Table

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Schedule of Nonvested Share Activity [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the restricted stock award and performance unit award activity for the period ended June 30, 2016:    Restricted Performance Weighted Average  Stock Stock Grant Date  Units Units Fair Value  Outstanding at December 31, 2015 93,817 35,999 $ 39.66  Granted 43,283 129,844 12.59  Vested (43,453) - 29.30  Adjustment for incentive awards not expected to vest - (93,103) 24.79  Canceled (6,021) (9,050) 18.82  Outstanding at June 30, 2016 87,626 63,690 $ 22.28 

Retirement Plans (Tables)

Retirement Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Schedule of Costs of Retirement Plans [Table Text Block]	   Three Months Ended Six Months Ended  June 30, June 30,  2016 2015 2016 2015   United States $ 445 $ 747 $ 1,137 $ 1,429  Canada 67 55 118 114  United Kingdom 160 115 218 198  $ 672 $ 917 $ 1,473 $ 1,741 
United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]	   Three Months Ended Six Months Ended  June 30, June 30,  2016 2015 2016 2015   Service cost $ 9 $ 9 $ 18 $ 19  Interest cost 186 185 372 370  Expected return on plan assets (179) (204) (358) (408)  Recognized net actuarial loss 69 69 138 138  Net periodic pension cost $ 85 $ 59 $ 170 $ 119 
United Kingdom Benefit Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]	   Three Months Ended Six Months Ended  June 30, June 30,  2016 2015 2016 2015   Interest cost $ 75 $ 77 $ 150 $ 153  Expected return on plan assets (84) (83) (168) (166)  Amortization of prior service costs and transition amount 5 5 10 10  Recognized net actuarial loss 39 59 78 117  Net periodic pension cost $ 35 $ 58 $ 70 $ 114 

Commitments and Contingent Li38

Commitments and Contingent Liabilites (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities [Abstract]
Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block]	   Warranty Liability  Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 8,755  Additions to warranty liability 461  Warranty liability utilized (467)  Balance at June 30, 2016 $ 8,749 
Environmental Loss Contingencies [Table Text Block]	  Environmental liability   Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 6,640  Additions to environmental obligations 24  Environmental obligations utilized (42)  Balance at June 30, 2016 $ 6,622 

Business Segments (Narrative) (

Business Segments (Narrative) (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Business Segments [Abstract]
Capital Charges Rate	1.00%

Business Segments (Reconciliati

Business Segments (Reconciliation of Significant Reconciling Items) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 135,994	$ 171,419	$ 262,304	$ 309,326
Segment Profit (Loss)	(124,207)	11,929	(124,945)	21,187
Rail Products and Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	67,503	86,882	131,795	164,558
Segment Profit (Loss)	(25,168)	6,413	(24,427)	12,485
Construction Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	40,348	49,516	72,228	83,806
Segment Profit (Loss)	3,944	5,158	4,392	6,386
Tubular and Energy Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	28,143	35,021	58,281	60,962
Segment Profit (Loss)	$ (102,983)	$ 358	$ (104,910)	$ 2,316

Business Segments (Reconcilia41

Business Segments (Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Business Segments [Abstract]
(Loss) income for reportable segments	$ (124,207)	$ 11,929	$ (124,945)	$ 21,187
Interest expense	(1,652)	(1,288)	(2,822)	(1,901)
Interest income	52	37	107	94
Other (expense) income	(107)	(95)	(822)	708
LIFO income	452	406	525	400
Equity in loss of nonconsolidated investment	(487)	(186)	(683)	(13)
Corporate expense, cost of capital elimination and other unallocated charges	(3,476)	(2,980)	(4,934)	(5,985)
(Loss) income before income taxes	$ (129,425)	$ 7,823	$ (133,574)	$ 14,490

Business Segments (Assets by Se

Business Segments (Assets by Segment) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 470,016	$ 566,660
Rail Products and Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	199,217	241,222
Construction Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	90,382	86,335
Tubular and Energy Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	112,465	216,715
Unallocated Corporate Assets [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 67,952	$ 22,388

Acquisitions (Narrative) (Detai

Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 23, 2015	Mar. 13, 2015	Jan. 13, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired				$ 0	$ 193,871
TEW Plus LTD [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition	Nov. 23, 2015
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired	75.00%
Business Acquisition, Name of Acquired Entity	TEW Plus, LTD ("Tew Plus")
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	$ 2,130
Inspection Oilfield Services (IOS) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition		Mar. 13, 2015
Business Acquisition, Name of Acquired Entity		IOS Holdings, Inc. ("IOS" or "test and inspection services")
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired		$ 167,404
Working capital adjustment		2,363
Earn out provision		60,000
Business Combination, Indemnification Assets, Amount as of Acquisition Date		$ 7,600
TEW Holdings, LTD [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition			Jan. 13, 2015
Business Acquisition, Name of Acquired Entity			Tew Holdings, LTD ("Tew")
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired			$ 26,467
Working capital adjustment			4,200
Business Combination, Indemnification Assets, Amount as of Acquisition Date			$ 600

Acquisitions (Allocation of Pur

Acquisitions (Allocation of Purchase Price) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Nov. 23, 2015	Mar. 13, 2015	Jan. 13, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 23,972	$ 81,752
TEW Plus LTD [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets				$ 4,420
Other assets				0
Property, plant and equipment				47
Goodwill				822
Other intangibles				1,074
Liabilities assumed				(3,597)
Total				$ 2,766
Inspection Oilfield Services (IOS) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets					$ 19,877
Other assets					708
Property, plant and equipment	[1]				51,453
Goodwill	[1]				69,908
Other intangibles	[1],[2]				50,354
Liabilities assumed					(23,596)
Total					$ 168,704
TEW Holdings, LTD [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets						$ 12,125
Other assets						0
Property, plant and equipment						2,398
Goodwill						8,772
Other intangibles						14,048
Liabilities assumed						(6,465)
Total						$ 30,878
[1]	As a result of the impact of the downturn within the energy markets, the expectations of a prolonged period before recovery, and the reduction in active U.S. land oil rig count, the Company performed an interim test for impairment of goodwill during the third quarter of 2015 that resulted in the full impairment of goodwill related to the IOS acquisition. Additionally, during the second quarter of 2016, the Company performed an interim impairment test due to further deterioration in projections that resulted in impairment of property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets as described in Notes 4 and 5.
[2]	See Note 5 regarding intangible asset impairments.

Acquisitions (Identifiable Inta

Acquisitions (Identifiable Intangible Assets Acquired) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Nov. 23, 2015	Mar. 13, 2015	Jan. 13, 2015
TEW Plus LTD [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value estimate of acquired identifiable intangible assets		$ 1,074
TEW Plus LTD [Member] | Trade name [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value estimate of acquired identifiable intangible assets		0
TEW Plus LTD [Member] | Customer relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value estimate of acquired identifiable intangible assets		817
TEW Plus LTD [Member] | Technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value estimate of acquired identifiable intangible assets		203
TEW Plus LTD [Member] | Non-competition agreements [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value estimate of acquired identifiable intangible assets		$ 54
Inspection Oilfield Services (IOS) [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value estimate of acquired identifiable intangible assets	[1],[2]		$ 50,354
Inspection Oilfield Services (IOS) [Member] | Trade name [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value estimate of acquired identifiable intangible assets			2,641
Inspection Oilfield Services (IOS) [Member] | Customer relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value estimate of acquired identifiable intangible assets			41,171
Inspection Oilfield Services (IOS) [Member] | Technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value estimate of acquired identifiable intangible assets			4,364
Inspection Oilfield Services (IOS) [Member] | Non-competition agreements [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value estimate of acquired identifiable intangible assets			$ 2,178
TEW Holdings, LTD [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value estimate of acquired identifiable intangible assets				$ 14,048
TEW Holdings, LTD [Member] | Trade name [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value estimate of acquired identifiable intangible assets				870
TEW Holdings, LTD [Member] | Customer relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value estimate of acquired identifiable intangible assets				10,035
TEW Holdings, LTD [Member] | Technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value estimate of acquired identifiable intangible assets				2,480
TEW Holdings, LTD [Member] | Non-competition agreements [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value estimate of acquired identifiable intangible assets				$ 663
[1]	As a result of the impact of the downturn within the energy markets, the expectations of a prolonged period before recovery, and the reduction in active U.S. land oil rig count, the Company performed an interim test for impairment of goodwill during the third quarter of 2015 that resulted in the full impairment of goodwill related to the IOS acquisition. Additionally, during the second quarter of 2016, the Company performed an interim impairment test due to further deterioration in projections that resulted in impairment of property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets as described in Notes 4 and 5.
[2]	See Note 5 regarding intangible asset impairments.

Property, Plant and Equipment46

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment - gross	$ 185,829		$ 185,829		$ 203,531
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization, including accumulated amortization of capitalized leases	77,204		77,204		76,786
Total property, plant and equipment, net	108,625		108,625		126,745
Asset Impairment	128,938	$ 0	128,938	$ 0
Tubular and Energy Services [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Asset Impairment			14,956
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment - gross	14,592		14,592		17,054
Improvements To Land And LeaseHolds [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment - gross	16,598		16,598		16,590
Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment - gross	33,252		33,252		39,366
Machinery And Equipment, Including Equipment Under Capitalized Leases [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment - gross	116,470		116,470		118,677
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment - gross	$ 4,917		$ 4,917		$ 11,844

Goodwill and Definite-Lived I47

Goodwill and Definite-Lived Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill, Impairment Loss			$ 56,759
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 90,560		90,560		$ 158,740
Amortization of Intangible Assets	2,789	$ 3,456	$ 6,055	$ 5,613
Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life			25 years
Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life			2 years
Weighted Average [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life			15 years
Rail Products and Services [Member]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss			$ 28,342
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	57,470		$ 57,470		59,226
Rail Technologies [Member]
Percent of goodwill eliminated			60.00%
Construction Products [Member]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss			$ 0
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,348		1,348		1,348
Tubular and Energy Services [Member]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss			28,417
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 31,742		31,742		$ 98,166
Inspection Oilfield Services (IOS) [Member]
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived			42,982
Chemtec Energy Services, LLC [Member]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss			56,759
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived			$ 14,241

Goodwill and Definite-Lived I48

Goodwill and Definite-Lived Intangible Assets (Schedule of Goodwill) (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 81,752
Foreign currency translation impact	(867)
Disposition	(154)
Impairment charges	(56,759)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	23,972
Rail Products and Services [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	48,188
Foreign currency translation impact	(867)
Disposition	(154)
Impairment charges	(28,342)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	18,825
Construction Products [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	5,147
Foreign currency translation impact	0
Disposition	0
Impairment charges	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	5,147
Tubular and Energy Services [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	28,417
Foreign currency translation impact	0
Disposition	0
Impairment charges	(28,417)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 0

Goodwill and Definite-Lived I49

Goodwill and Definite-Lived Intangible Assets (Schedule of Intangible Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	$ 90,560	$ 158,740
Accumulated Amortization	(20,140)	(23,813)
Net Carrying Amount	70,420	134,927
Non-competition agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	4,319	6,984
Accumulated Amortization	(1,782)	(2,495)
Net Carrying Amount	2,537	4,489
Patents [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	387	378
Accumulated Amortization	(142)	(124)
Net Carrying Amount	245	254
Customer relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	39,707	94,338
Accumulated Amortization	(5,518)	(8,441)
Net Carrying Amount	34,189	85,897
Supplier relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value		350
Accumulated Amortization		(335)
Net Carrying Amount		15
Trademarks and trade names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	10,199	14,252
Accumulated Amortization	(2,831)	(3,025)
Net Carrying Amount	7,368	11,227
Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	35,948	42,438
Accumulated Amortization	(9,867)	(9,393)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 26,081	$ 33,045
Weighted Average [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period In Years	15 years
Weighted Average [Member] | Non-competition agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period In Years	5 years	4 years
Weighted Average [Member] | Patents [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period In Years	10 years	10 years
Weighted Average [Member] | Customer relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period In Years	17 years	16 years
Weighted Average [Member] | Supplier relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period In Years		5 years
Weighted Average [Member] | Trademarks and trade names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period In Years	14 years	13 years
Weighted Average [Member] | Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period In Years	14 years	13 years

Goodwill and Definite-Lived I50

Goodwill and Definite-Lived Intangible Assets (Schedule of Expected Amortization Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Definite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
2,016	$ 3,687
2,017	7,361
2,018	7,256
2,019	6,525
2,020	6,142
2021 and thereafter	39,449
Net Carrying Amount	$ 70,420	$ 134,927

Accounts Receivable (Details)

Accounts Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable	$ 1,417	$ 1,485

Inventories (Schedule of Invent

Inventories (Schedule of Inventory) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Inventories [Abstract]
Finished goods	$ 60,185	$ 62,547
Work-in-process	20,252	20,178
Raw materials	20,009	19,492
Total inventories at current costs	100,446	102,217
Less: LIFO reserve	(5,296)	(5,821)
Inventory	$ 95,150	$ 96,396

Investments (Narrative) (Detail

Investments (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)aproperty	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)aproperty	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Investments	$ 4,638		$ 4,638		$ 5,321
Equity in Income/(Loss) of Nonconsolidated Investment	(487)	$ (186)	(683)	$ (13)
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions, Return of Capital			0	90
LB Pipe & Coupling Products, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Investments	$ 4,521		$ 4,521		5,246
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	45.00%		45.00%
Equity Method Investment, Description of Principal Activities			The Company is a member of a joint venture, LB Pipe & Coupling Products, LLC ("LB Pipe JV"), in which it maintains a 45% ownership interest. LB Pipe JV manufactures, markets, and sells various precision coupling products for the energy, utility, and construction markets and is scheduled to terminate on June 30, 2019.
Equity in Income/(Loss) of Nonconsolidated Investment	$ (476)	$ (186)	$ (725)	$ 3
Line of credit, maximum lending capacity	750		750
Due from Joint Ventures, Current	575		575
Other equity investments [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Investments	$ 117		$ 117		$ 75
Capital Leased Land [Member] | LB Pipe & Coupling Products, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Area of Land | a	5		5
Capital Leased Assets, Number of Units | property	2		2
Capital Lease Length Of Renewal Term			5 years 6 months
Capital Leases, Monthly Rent			$ 17
Capital Leases Balloon Payment In Direct Financing Leases	$ 488		$ 488
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary, Aggregated Disclosure [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Methodology for Determining Whether Entity is Primary Beneficiary			Under applicable guidance for variable interest entities in ASC 810, "Consolidation," the Company determined that the LB Pipe JV is a variable interest entity. The Company concluded that it is not the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entity, as the Company does not have a controlling financial interest and does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the LB Pipe JV. Accordingly, the Company concluded that the equity method of accounting remains appropriate.

Investments (Schedule Of Carryi

Investments (Schedule Of Carrying Amount And Maximum Loss Exposure Of Equity Investments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
LB Pipe & Coupling Products, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Maximum exposure to loss	$ 6,025	$ 6,241
LB Pipe JV equity method investment [Member] | LB Pipe & Coupling Products, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Maximum exposure to loss	4,521	5,246
Loan receivable [Member] | LB Pipe & Coupling Products, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Maximum exposure to loss	575	0
Net investment in direct financing lease [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Maximum exposure to loss	$ 929	$ 995

Investments (Schedule of Direct

Investments (Schedule of Direct Financing Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases Table) (Details) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)
Investments [Abstract]
2,016	$ 65
2,017	140
2,018	150
2,019	574
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, Total	$ 929

Long-Term Debt (Schedule Of Lon

Long-Term Debt (Schedule Of Long-Term Debt Table) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Long-Term Debt and Related Matters [Abstract]
Revolving credit facility	$ 165,270	$ 165,000
Capital leases and financing agreements	3,095	3,754
Total	168,365	168,754
Less current maturities	1,335	1,335
Long-term portion	$ 167,030	$ 167,419

Long-Term Debt (Narrative - Uni

Long-Term Debt (Narrative - United States) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Jun. 29, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 13, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)$ / shares	Jun. 30, 2015$ / shares	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)$ / shares	Jun. 30, 2015$ / shares	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Dividends					$ 829
Dividends paid per common share | $ / shares			$ 0.04	$ 0.04	$ 0.08	$ 0.08
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding			$ 165,270		$ 165,270		$ 165,000
PNC Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, and Branch Banking and Trust Company [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 275,000	$ 335,000
Debt Instrument, Restrictive Covenants					The First Amendment provides that liens on the collateral will be released upon satisfaction of certain conditions, including the submission by the loan parties of a compliance certificate for two consecutive fiscal quarters, calculated for the four consecutive fiscal quarters then ending, each evidencing a Leverage Ratio (defined as the Company's indebtedness less cash on hand in excess of $15,000, divided by the Company's consolidated EBITDA) of less than or equal to 2.75 to 1.00; provided that the last day of such two consecutive fiscal quarters cannot be earlier than June 30, 2018.Certain financial covenants in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement were also amended. The First Amendment revises the maximum Leverage Ratio, which must not exceed the amounts set forth below for applicable fiscal quarters: June 30, 2016 and September 30, 2016, 4.75 to 1.00; December 31, 2016, 4.50 to 1.00; March 31, 2017, 4.25 to 1.00; June 30, 2017, 4.00 to 1.00; September 30, 2017, 3.75 to 1.00; December 31, 2017, 3.50 to 1.00; and March 31, 2018 and all fiscal quarters ending thereafter, 3.25 to 1.00. At June 30, 2016, the Company was in compliance with the covenants in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement as revised by the First Amendment.Loans and advances to non-loan parties and loans, advances, and investments by domestic loan parties to subsidiaries that are not loan parties and to foreign loan parties is not permitted to exceed $10,000 in the aggregate at any one time, provided that, on March 31, 2018, when the maximum Leverage Ratio requirement is 3.25 to 1.00, this limit will increase to $75,000.
Leverage ratio			4.75		4.75
Leverage ratio in next quarter following current quarter					4.75
Leverage ratio in effect for the second quarter following the current quarter					4.50
Leverage ratio in effect for the third quarter following the current quarter					4.25
Leverage ratio in effect for the fourth quarter following the current quarter					4
Leverage ratio in effect for the fifth quarter following the current quarter					3.75
Leverage ratio in effect for the sixth quarter following the current quarter					3.50
Leverage ratio in effect for the seventh quarter following the current quarter					3.25
Leverage ratio in effect after the seventh quarter following the current quarter					3.25
Loans and advances limit					$ 10,000
Loans and advances limit thereafter					$ 75,000
Line of Credit Facility, Dividend Restrictions					The First Amendment permits the Company to pay dividends, distributions, and make redemptions with respect to its stock provided no event of default or potential default (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) has occurred prior to or after giving effect to the dividend, distribution, or redemption. Dividends, distributions, and redemptions are capped at $4,000 per year when funds are drawn on the facility until March 31, 2018, when the maximum Leverage Ratio requirement is 3.25 to 1.00, at which time this limit will increase to $25,000. Dividends of $829 or $0.08 per share were distributed for the six-month period ended June 30, 2016.If no drawings on the facility exist, dividends, distributions, and redemptions in excess of $4,000 (or $25,000, as appropriate) per year are subjected to a limitation of $75,000 in the aggregate. The $75,000 aggregate limitation also permits certain loans, investments, and acquisitions. The First Amendment provides that each of the loan parties and their subsidiaries shall not enter into any merger, consolidation, or other reorganization, or acquire all or substantially all of the assets, division, business, stock, or other ownership interests or permit any consolidation or merger with an aggregate consideration in excess of $12,000 until after March 31, 2018.
Maximum dividends, distributions, or redemptions allowed					$ 4,000
Maximum dividends, distributions, or redemptions allowed thereafter					25,000
Maximum dividends, distributions, or redemptions allowed, no draws					75,000
Maximum acquisition					$ 12,000
PNC Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, and Branch Banking and Trust Company [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Leverage ratio			2.75		2.75
PNC Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, and Branch Banking and Trust Company [Member] | Federal Funds Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.50%
PNC Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, and Branch Banking and Trust Company [Member] | Euro-rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.00%
PNC Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, and Branch Banking and Trust Company [Member] | Euro-rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.25%
PNC Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, and Branch Banking and Trust Company [Member] | Euro-rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	3.25%
PNC Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, and Branch Banking and Trust Company [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.025%
PNC Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, and Branch Banking and Trust Company [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.25%
PNC Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, and Branch Banking and Trust Company [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description		Borrowings under the First Amendment bear interest at rates based upon either the base rate or Euro-rate plus applicable margins. Applicable margins are dictated by the ratio of the Company's indebtedness less consolidated cash on hand to the Company's consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the underlying Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The base rate is the highest of (a) PNC Bank's prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50% or (c) the daily Euro-rate (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) plus 1.00%. The base rate and Euro-rate spreads range from 0.025% to 2.25% and 1.25% to 3.25%, respectively.
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding			$ 425		$ 425
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity			$ 109,305		$ 109,305
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date	Mar. 13, 2020

Long-Term Debt (Narrative - U58

Long-Term Debt (Narrative - United Kingdom) (Details) £ in Thousands, $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016GBP (£)	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding		$ 165,270	$ 165,000
NatWest Bank [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.50%
NatWest Bank [Member] | Foreign Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	£ 1,500	1,997
Line of Credit Facility, Collateral	This credit facility supports the subsidiary's working capital requirements and is collateralized by substantially all of the assets of its United Kingdom operations.
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description	. The interest rate on this facility is the financial institution's base rate plus 1.50%.
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding		0
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity		1,645
NatWest Bank Outstanding Guarantees [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding		352
NatWest Bank Outstanding Guarantees [Member] | Foreign Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding		$ 352

Fair Value Measurements (Schedu

Fair Value Measurements (Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 3,016	$ 1,939
Interest rate swap	2,532	196
Total Liabilities	2,532	196
Swap [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	50,000
Non domestic bank certificates of deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	3,016	1,939
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	3,016	1,939
Interest rate swap	0	0
Total Liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Non domestic bank certificates of deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	3,016	1,939
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Interest rate swap	2,532	196
Total Liabilities	2,532	196
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Non domestic bank certificates of deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Interest rate swap	0	0
Total Liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Non domestic bank certificates of deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 0	$ 0

Earning Per Common Share (Sched

Earning Per Common Share (Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Common Share [Abstract]
Net (loss) income	$ (91,996)	$ 5,362	$ (94,828)	$ 9,649
Weighted average shares outstanding	10,263	10,284	10,248	10,272
Denominator for basic earnings per common share	10,263	10,284	10,248	10,272
Employee stock options	0	0	0	1
Other stock compensation plans	0	86	0	112
Dilutive potential common shares	0	86	0	113
Denominator for diluted earnings per common share - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions	10,263	10,370	10,248	10,385
Basic (loss) earnings per common share	$ (8.96)	$ 0.52	$ (9.25)	$ 0.94
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share	(8.96)	0.52	(9.25)	0.93
Dividends paid per common share	$ 0.04	$ 0.04	$ 0.08	$ 0.08
Antidilutive shares excluded from computation of earnings per share	47		46

Stock-Based Compensation (Narra

Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation	$ 807	$ 1,276		$ 555	$ 1,896
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 2,170			$ 2,170
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition				3 years
Excess income tax deficiency (benefit) from share-based compensation				$ (124)	$ 310
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	0			0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period			7,500
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross				0	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price			$ 9.08
The Omnibus Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Additional Shares Authorized				370,000
The Omnibus Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock And Performance Shares Combined [Member] | Vesting Period 1 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period				4 years
The Omnibus Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock And Performance Shares Combined [Member] | Vesting Period 2 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period				3 years

Stock-Based Compensation (Restr

Stock-Based Compensation (Restricted Stock and Performance Unit Awards) (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016$ / sharesshares
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Nonvested Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance	93,817
Granted	43,283
Vested	(43,453)
Adjustment for incentive awards not expected to vest	0
Canceled	(6,021)
Nonvested Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance	87,626
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Nonvested Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance	35,999
Granted	129,844
Vested	0
Adjustment for incentive awards not expected to vest	93,103
Canceled	(9,050)
Nonvested Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance	63,690
Restricted Stock And Performance Shares Combined [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Nonvested Shares, Beginning Balance, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 39.66
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	12.59
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	29.30
Adjustment for incentive awards not expected to vest, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	24.79
Canceled, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	18.82
Nonvested Shares, Ending Balance, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 22.28

Retirement Plans (Narrative) (D

Retirement Plans (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)contract
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan Number	8
Description of Postemployment Benefits	The Company sponsors eight defined contribution plans for hourly and salaried employees across our domestic and international facilities. The following table summarizes the expense associated with the contributions made to these plans.
UNITED STATES
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of retirement plans	7
Defined Benefit Plan Number	3
Active Defined Benefit Plan Number	1
Inactive Defined Benefit Plan Number	2
Defined Contribution Plan Number	4
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Current Fiscal Year | $	$ 0
CANADA
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan Number	2
Post-retirement benefit plan number	1
UNITED KINGDOM
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan Number	1
Defined Contribution Plan Number	2
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Current Fiscal Year | $	$ 247
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer | $	$ 120

Retirement Plans (Schedule Of N

Retirement Plans (Schedule Of Net Periodic Benefit Costs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
UNITED STATES
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 9	$ 9	$ 18	$ 19
Interest cost	186	185	372	370
Expected return on plan assets	(179)	(204)	(358)	(408)
Recognized net actuarial loss	(69)	(69)	(138)	(138)
Net periodic pension cost	85	59	170	119
UNITED KINGDOM
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest cost	75	77	150	153
Expected return on plan assets	(84)	(83)	(168)	(166)
Amortization of prior service cost and transition amount	5	5	10	10
Recognized net actuarial loss	(39)	(59)	(78)	(117)
Net periodic pension cost	$ 35	$ 58	$ 70	$ 114

Retirement Plans (Defined Contr

Retirement Plans (Defined Contribution Plans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	$ 672	$ 917	$ 1,473	$ 1,741
UNITED STATES
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	445	747	1,137	1,429
CANADA
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	67	55	118	114
UNITED KINGDOM
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	$ 160	$ 115	$ 218	$ 198

Commitments and Contingent Li66

Commitments and Contingent Liabilites (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands, item in Millions	12 Months Ended		168 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011item	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Product Liability Contingency [Line Items]
Concrete Ties Manufactured | item			3
Standard Product Warranty Accrual				$ 8,749	$ 8,755
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies				6,622	6,640
Reserve for Concrete Ties [Member]
Product Liability Contingency [Line Items]
Litigation Settlement, Amount		$ 12,000
Product Warranty Expense		$ 22,000
Standard Product Warranty Accrual				$ 7,490	$ 7,544
Standard Product Warranty Accrual, Period Increase (Decrease)	$ 8,766
The UPRR [Member]
Product Liability Contingency [Line Items]
Concrete Ties Manufactured | item			1.6

Commitments and Contingent Li67

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Schedule of Product Warranty Liability) (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities [Abstract]
Balance, Beginning	$ 8,755
Additions to warranty liability	461
Warranty liability utilized	(467)
Balance, Ending	$ 8,749

Commitments and Contingent Li68

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Environmental Liability) (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities [Abstract]
Environmental liability, beginning balance	$ 6,640
Additions to environmental obligations	24
Environmental obligations utilized	(42)
Environmental liability, ending balance	$ 6,622

Income Taxes (Reconciliation Of

Income Taxes (Reconciliation Of Income Tax Rates) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Statutory rate			35.00%	35.00%
Asset Impairment	$ 128,938	$ 0	$ 128,938	$ 0
Impairment of assets, tax benefit			$ 38,038
Effective income tax rate	28.90%	31.50%	29.00%	33.40%