UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549

                                    Form 10-Q
                Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


For Quarter Ended    March 31, 2004

Commission File Number    0-10436

                              L. B. Foster Company
                              --------------------
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

                Pennsylvania                  25-1324733
                ------------                  ----------
         (State of Incorporation) (I. R. S. Employer Identification No.)

           415 Holiday Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania    15220
           -------------------------------------------    -----
             (Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

                                 (412) 928-3417
                                 --------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for shorter  period that the registrant was required
to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days.     Yes  [X]              No [  ]

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined
in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).      Yes [  ]           No [X]

Indicate  the  number of shares of each of the  registrant's  classes  of common
stock as of the latest practicable date.

    Class                                       Outstanding at April 28, 2004
    -----                                       -----------------------------
 Common Stock, Par Value $.01                        9,922,520 Shares



                      L.B. FOSTER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES


                                      INDEX
                                      -----


PART I.  Financial Information                                          Page
- -------  ---------------------                                          ----


    Item 1.  Financial Statements:

               Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets                       3

               Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations             4

               Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows             5

               Notes to Condensed Consolidated
                Financial Statements                                       6

    Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
              Financial Condition and Results of Operations               13

    Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk   20

    Item 4.  Controls and Procedures                                      21


PART II.  Other Information
- --------  -----------------

    Item 1.    Legal Proceedings                                          21

    Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                           21


Signature                                                                 24




                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
         --------------------


                      L. B. FOSTER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (In Thousands)

                                                      March 31,     December 31,
                                                        2004            2003
                                                    ------------   ------------
ASSETS                                               (Unaudited)
Current Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents ......................     $      36      $   4,134
  Accounts and notes receivable:
    Trade ........................................        43,100         34,668
    Other ........................................         2,260            105
                                                       ---------      ---------
                                                          45,360         34,773
  Inventories ....................................        40,934         36,894
  Current deferred tax assets ....................         1,413          1,413
  Other current assets ...........................         1,500            877
  Property held for resale .......................          --              446
                                                       ---------      ---------
Total Current Assets .............................        89,243         78,537
                                                       ---------      ---------

Property, Plant & Equipment - At Cost ............        71,050         70,814
Less Accumulated Depreciation ....................       (37,962)       (37,679)
                                                       ---------      ---------
                                                          33,088         33,135
                                                       ---------      ---------
Other Assets:
  Goodwill .......................................           350            350
  Other intangibles - net ........................           547            585
  Investments ....................................        13,955         13,707
  Deferred tax assets ............................         4,098          4,095
  Other assets ...................................           455            750
                                                       ---------      ---------
Total Other Assets ...............................        19,405         19,487
                                                       ---------      ---------
TOTAL ASSETS .....................................     $ 141,736      $ 131,159
                                                       =========      =========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
  Current maturities of long-term debt ...........     $     540      $     611
  Short-term borrowings ..........................           822           --
  Accounts payable - trade .......................        34,076         23,874
  Accrued payroll and employee benefits ..........         2,852          2,909
  Current deferred tax liabilities ...............         1,749          1,749
  Other accrued liabilities ......................         2,506          2,550
                                                       ---------      ---------
Total Current Liabilities ........................        42,545         31,693
                                                       ---------      ---------
Long-Term Borrowings .............................        16,000         17,000
                                                       ---------      ---------
Other Long-Term Debt .............................         3,740          3,858
                                                       ---------      ---------
Deferred Tax Liabilities .........................         3,653          3,653
                                                       ---------      ---------
Other Long-Term Liabilites .......................         4,472          4,411
                                                       ---------      ---------

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Common stock ...................................           102            102
  Paid-in capital ................................        34,934         35,018
  Retained earnings ..............................        38,286         38,399
  Treasury stock .................................        (1,319)        (2,304)
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss ...........          (677)          (671)
                                                       ---------      ---------
Total Stockholders' Equity .......................        71,326         70,544
                                                       ---------      ---------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY .......     $ 141,736      $ 131,159
                                                       =========      =========

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


                      L. B. FOSTER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                    (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

                                                               Three Months
                                                                  Ended
                                                                March 31,
                                                        ------------------------
                                                           2004           2003
                                                        ------------------------
                                                                 (Unaudited)

Net Sales ..........................................     $ 65,452      $ 59,519
Cost of Goods Sold .................................       59,470        52,586
                                                         --------      --------
Gross Profit .......................................        5,982         6,933

Selling and Administrative Expenses ................        6,401         6,567
Interest Expense ...................................          463           579
Other Income .......................................         (694)         (320)
                                                         --------      --------
                                                            6,170         6,826
                                                         --------      --------

(Loss) Income From Continuing Operations Before
  Income Taxes .....................................         (188)          107

Income Taxes .......................................          (75)           43
                                                         --------      --------

(Loss) Income From Continuing Operations ...........         (113)           64

Discontinued Operations:
Loss From Operations of Foster Technologies ........         --            (380)
Income Tax Benefit .................................         --            (150)
                                                         --------      --------
Loss on Discontinued Operations ....................         --            (230)
                                                         --------      --------

Net Loss ...........................................     ($   113)     ($   166)
                                                         ========      ========

Basic & Diluted (Loss) Earnings Per Share:
  From Continuing Operations .......................     ($  0.01)     $   0.01
  From Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax .........         --           (0.02)
                                                         --------      --------
Net Loss ...........................................     ($  0.01)     ($  0.02)
                                                         ========      ========


See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



                 L. B. FOSTER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (In Thousands)

                                                                                                             Three Months
                                                                                                            Ended March 31,
                                                                                                         2004              2003
                                                                                                   ---------------    --------------
                                                                                                              (Unaudited)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                                                                                                                     
(Loss) income from continuing operations .................................................            ($   113)            $     64
Adjustments to reconcile (loss) income to net cash (used) provided
  by operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization ........................................................               1,276                1,313
    Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment ........................................                (493)                --
    Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative mark-to-market ..................................                  42                  (11)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
    Accounts receivable ..................................................................              (9,648)                (581)
    Inventories ..........................................................................              (4,040)              (1,752)
    Other current assets .................................................................                (623)                (786)
    Other noncurrent assets ..............................................................                  47                 (142)
    Accounts payable - trade .............................................................              10,202                4,300
    Accrued payroll and employee benefits ................................................                 (57)                 174
    Other current liabilities ............................................................                 (86)                  37
    Other liabilities ....................................................................                  51                   85
                                                                                                      --------             --------
  Net Cash (Used) Provided by Operating Activities .......................................              (3,442)               2,701
                                                                                                      --------             --------
   Net Cash Provided by Discontinued Operations ..........................................                --                    228
                                                                                                      --------             --------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
    Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment ..................................                  41                 --
    Capital expenditures on property, plant and equipment ................................              (1,231)                (462)
                                                                                                      --------             --------
  Net Cash Used by Investing Activities ..................................................              (1,190)                (462)
                                                                                                      --------             --------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
    Repayments of revolving credit agreement borrowings ..................................                (178)              (2,000)
    Exercise of stock options and stock awards ...........................................                 901                   13
    Repayments of long-term debt .........................................................                (189)                (206)
                                                                                                      --------             --------
  Net Cash Provided (Used) by Financing Activities .......................................                 534               (2,193)
                                                                                                      --------             --------

Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents .....................................              (4,098)                 274

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period .........................................               4,134                3,653
                                                                                                      --------             --------
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period ...............................................            $     36             $  3,927
                                                                                                      ========             ========

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:

    Interest Paid ........................................................................            $    424             $    543
                                                                                                      ========             ========
    Income Taxes Paid ....................................................................            $      6             $    255
                                                                                                      ========             ========


During the first three months of 2004 and 2003, the Company did not finance any
capital expenditures through the execution of capital leases.

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



                      L. B. FOSTER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
   --------------------

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles 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 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 ended
December 31, 2004. Amounts included in the balance sheet as of December 31, 2003
were derived from our audited balance sheet. For further  information,  refer to
the  consolidated  financial  statements and footnotes  thereto  included in the
Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.


2. ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
   ---------------------

In December 2003, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No.
132  (Revised  2003)  -  "Employers'   Disclosures   about  Pensions  and  Other
Post-retirement  Benefits" (SFAS 132R),  that replaces  existing FASB disclosure
requirements  for pensions and other  post-retirement  benefit plans.  SFAS 132R
requires  companies to provide more  complete  details  about their plan assets,
benefit obligations,  cash flows, benefit costs and other relevant  information.
In addition to expanded disclosures, the standard improves information available
to investors in interim financial statements. With certain exceptions, SFAS 132R
is effective  for fiscal  years ending after  December 31, 2003 and for quarters
beginning  after December 31, 2003.  See Note 5 for the  additional  disclosures
required by SFAS 132R.

Stock-based compensation
- ------------------------

In December 2002, the FASB issued  Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards
No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based  Compensation - Transition and Disclosure -
an amendment of FASB  Statement  No. 123" (SFAS 148)  effective for fiscal years
ending after December 31, 2002 and for interim periods  beginning after December
15, 2002. This statement amends Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards No.
123,  "Accounting  for Stock  Stock-Based  Compensation"  (SFAS 123), to provide
alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based
method of accounting for stock-based employee  compensation.  In addition,  SFAS
148  amends  the  disclosure  requirements  of  SFAS  123 to  require  prominent
disclosures in both annual and interim financial  statements about the method of
accounting for stock-based  employee  compensation  and the effect of the method
used on reported results.

The Company has adopted the  disclosure  provisions  of SFAS 123 and applies the
intrinsic  value  method  of  Accounting   Principles   Board  Opinion  No.  25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" (APB 25) and related  interpretations
in accounting for its stock option plans.  Accordingly,  no compensation expense
has been recognized.

The  following  table  illustrates  the  effect  on the  Company's  income  from
continuing  operations and earnings per share had  compensation  expense for the
Company's stock option plans been applied using the method required by SFAS 123.




                                                                                              Three Months Ended
                                                                                                   March 31,
In thousands, except per share amounts                                                       2004             2003
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                                        
Net (loss) income from continuing operations, as reported ............................       ($113)           $  64
Add:  Stock-based employee compensation expense included in
 reported net income, net of related tax effects .....................................          --               --
Deduct:  Total stock-based employee compensation expense
 determined under fair value method for all awards, net of related tax effects .......          51               62
                                                                                                              -----

Pro forma (loss) income from continuing operations ...................................       ($164)           $   2
                                                                                             ======           =====

(Loss) earnings per share from continuing operations:
  Basic and diluted, as reported .....................................................       ($0.01)          $0.01
  Basic and diluted, pro forma .......................................................       ($0.02)          $0.00
                                                                                             =======          =====

Pro forma  information  regarding  net income and earnings per share for options
granted has been  determined  as if the Company had  accounted  for its employee
stock  options  under the fair value method of Statement No. 123. The fair value
of stock  options  used to compute pro forma net income and  earnings  per share
disclosures is the estimated present value at grant date using the Black-Scholes
option-pricing  model.  There were no stock options granted in the first quarter
of 2004 or 2003.


3. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
   -------------------

Credit is extended on an evaluation of the customer's  financial  condition and,
generally, collateral is not required. Credit terms are consistent with industry
standards  and  practices.  Trade  accounts  receivable  at March  31,  2004 and
December  31, 2003 have been reduced by an  allowance  for doubtful  accounts of
($868,000)  and  ($827,000),  respectively.  Bad debt  expense  was  $41,000 and
$59,000 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.


4. INVENTORIES
   ===========

Inventories  of the  Company  at  March  31,  2004  and  December  31,  2003 are
summarized  as  follows  in  thousands:


                                                     March  31,    December  31,
                                                        2004           2003
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Finished goods .................................     $ 22,084        $ 20,216
Work-in-process ................................        9,802           7,379
Raw materials ..................................       10,882          11,133
                                                     ---------      ---------

Total inventories at current costs .............       42,768          38,728
(Less):
LIFO reserve ...................................       (1,234)         (1,234)
Inventory valuation reserve ....................         (600)           (600)
                                                     ---------       ---------
                                                     $ 40,934        $ 36,894
                                                     =========       =========


Inventories  of the  Company  are  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  can be made  only at the end of each  year  based on the
inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly,  interim LIFO calculations
must necessarily be based on management's  estimates of expected year-end levels
and costs.


5. PROPERTY HELD FOR RESALE
   ------------------------

In August 2003, the Company  reached an agreement to sell,  modify,  and install
the  Company's  former  Newport,  KY pipe coating  machinery  and  equipment and
reclassified  these  assets as "held for  resale".  During the first  quarter of
2004, the Company  completed the modifications and installation and recognized a
$493,000 gain from the sale of these assets.


6. RETIREMENT PLANS
   ----------------

Substantially  all of the Company's  hourly paid employees are covered by one of
the Company's  noncontributory,  defined benefit plans and defined  contribution
plans.  Substantially all of the Company's  salaried  employees are covered by a
defined contribution plan established by the Company.

The Company's  funding  policy for defined  benefit  plans is to contribute  the
minimum  required by the Employee  Retirement  Income  Security Act of 1974. Net
periodic pension costs for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 are as
follows:

                                                            Three Months Ended
                                                                 March 31,
(in thousands)                                               2004           2003
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service cost .......................................         $ 14          $ 15
Interest cost ......................................           51            49
Expected return on plan assets .....................          (44)          (34)
Amortization of prior service cost .................            2             2
Amortization of net loss ...........................           13            13
                                                             ----          ----
Net periodic benefit cost ..........................         $ 36          $ 45
                                                             ====          ====

The Company expects to contribute $360,000 to its defined benefit plans in 2004.
As of March 31, 2004, $22,000 of contributions have been made.

The Company's defined  contribution  plan for the salaried  employees allows all
eligible  participants  to  contribute up to 41% (30% maximum on a pre-tax basis
and 11% maximum on an  after-tax  basis,  subject to IRS  limitations)  of their
compensation to the Plan. The Plan calls for the Company to contribute 1% of the
employee's  compensation  plus $0.50 for each $1.00 contributed by the employee,
subject to a maximum of from 4% to 6% of the employee's  compensation,  based on
the years of service.

The expense associated with the defined  contribution plans for the three months
ended March 31 was $163,000 in 2004 and $133,000 in 2003.


7. BORROWINGS
   ----------

On September 26, 2002,  the Company  entered into a new credit  agreement with a
syndicate  of three banks led by PNC Bank,  N.A.  The  agreement  provides for a
revolving  credit  facility of up to  $60,000,000  in  borrowings to support the
Company's working capital and other liquidity requirements.


The revolving  credit  facility,  which matures in September 2005, is secured by
substantially  all of the inventory and trade  receivables owned by the Company.
Availability  under the agreement is limited by the amount of eligible inventory
and accounts  receivable  applied  against  certain  advance rates. At March 31,
2004, the remaining available borrowings under this agreement were approximately
$25,075,000.  Interest  on the credit  facility  is based on LIBOR plus a spread
ranging from 1.75% to 2.50%.

The agreement includes financial  covenants  requiring a minimum net worth and a
minimum level for the fixed charge coverage ratio.  The agreement also restricts
dividends,  investments,  indebtedness,  and the  sale  of  certain  assets.  On
September 8, 2003, the first amendment to this agreement allowed for the sale of
the  Company's  equity  interest in a  specialty  trackwork  supplier.  For more
information  regarding the transaction,  see "Other Matters" in the Management's
Discussion  and  Analysis  section of this  report.  As of March 31,  2004,  the
Company was in compliance with all of the agreement's covenants.


8. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
   -----------------------

In  February  2003,  substantially  all of the  assets  of Rail  segment's  rail
signaling  and  communication  device  business  were  sold  for  $300,000.  The
operations of the rail signaling and communication  device business qualified as
a "component of an entity" under Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards No
144,  "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" and thus,
the  operations  were  classified  as  discontinued  and prior periods have been
restated.

Net sales and loss from discontinued operations were as follows:

                                                           Three Months Ended
In thousands                                                 March 31, 2003
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales ...........................................            $   1
                                                                 ------
Pretax operating loss ...............................            ($310)
Pretax loss on disposal .............................              (70)
Income tax benefit ..................................              150
                                                                 ------
Loss from discontinued operations ...................            ($230)
                                                                 ======


9. EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE
   --------------------------------

The following  table sets forth the  computation  of basic and diluted  earnings
(loss) per common share:
                                                            Three Months Ended
                                                                 March 31,
(in thousands, except earnings per share)                   2004           2003
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Numerator:
  Numerator for basic and diluted
    earnings (loss) per common share -
    net (loss) income available to common
    stockholders:
    (Loss) income from continuing operations .......     ($   113)      $    64
    Loss from discontinued operations ..............           --          (230)
                                                         ---------     ---------
  Net loss .........................................     ($   113)     ($   166)
                                                         =========     =========
Denominator:
    Weighted average shares ........................        9,806         9,524
                                                         ---------     ---------
  Denominator for basic earnings
    per common share ...............................        9,806         9,524

Effect of dilutive securities:
    Contingent issuable shares .....................          --              4
    Employee stock options .........................          343            71
                                                         ---------     ---------
  Dilutive potential common shares .................          343            75

  Denominator for diluted earnings
    per common share - adjusted weighted
    average shares and assumed conversions .........       10,149         9,599
                                                         =========     =========

Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per
  common share:
  Continuing operations ............................     ($  0.01)      $  0.01
  Discontinued operations ..........................          --          (0.02)
                                                         ---------     ---------

Basic and diluted loss per common share ............     ($  0.01)     ($  0.02)
                                                         =========     =========

10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
    --------------------------------------

The Company is subject to laws and regulations relating to the protection of the
environment and 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.

The  Company  is  subject  to legal  proceedings  and  claims  that arise in the
ordinary course of its business. In the opinion of management, these proceedings
will not materially affect the financial position of the Company.

At  March  31,  2004,  the  Company  had   outstanding   letters  of  credit  of
approximately $2,952,000.



11. BUSINESS SEGMENTS
    -----------------

The Company is organized and evaluated by product group, which is the basis for
identifying reportable segments. The Company is engaged in the manufacture,
fabrication and distribution of rail, construction and tubular products. The
following tables illustrate revenues and profits/(losses) of the Company by
segment:


                                                                                      Three Months Ended,
                                                                     March 31, 2004                          March 31, 2003

                                                                 Net             Segment                  Net             Segment
(in thousands)                                                  Sales         Profit/(Loss)              Sales         Profit/(Loss)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                
Rail products ....................................             $35,587             $   617              $31,626             $   681
Construction products ............................              26,775              (1,056)              23,964                (527)
Tubular products .................................               3,090                   3                3,929                 365
                                                               --------            --------             --------            --------
  Total ..........................................             $65,452             ($  436)             $59,519             $   519
                                                               ========            ========             ========            ========


Segment  profits,  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/(loss)  from December 31,
2003. Accounts receivable for the Construction  segment increased  approximately
$4,900,000 from year-end, primarily related to an increase in piling sales.

The following table provides a reconciliation of reportable net profit/(loss) to
the Company's consolidated total:



                                                                                Three Months Ended
                                                                                     March 31,
(in thousands)                                                                2004              2003
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       
(Loss) income for reportable segments ............................         ($  436)          $   519
Cost of capital for reportable segments ..........................           2,398             2,425
Interest expense .................................................            (463)             (579)
Other income .....................................................             694               320
Corporate expense and other unallocated charges ..................          (2,381)           (2,578)
                                                                           --------          --------

(Loss) income from continuing operations, before income taxes ....         ($  188)          $   107
                                                                           ========          ========



12. COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
    ------------------

Comprehensive loss represents net loss plus certain stockholders' equity changes
not  reflected in the  Condensed  Consolidated  Statements  of  Operations.  The
components of comprehensive loss, net of tax, were as follows:



                                                                                 Three Months Ended
                                                                                      March 31,
(in thousands)                                                                2004                2003
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                          
Net loss .................................................................   ($113)             ($166)
Unrealized derivative gains on cash flow hedges  .........................      12                 10
Foreign currency translation (losses) gains ..............................     (18)                 8
Reclassification adjustment for foreign currency translation losses
   included in net loss ..................................................      --                 48
                                                                             ------             ------
Comprehensive loss .......................................................   ($119)             ($100)
                                                                             ======             ======



13. RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
    -----------------------

The  Company's CXT Rail  operations  and  Allegheny  Rail Products  division are
dependent on a Class I railroad for a significant portion of their business.  An
agreement to supply concrete ties to this railroad expired in September 2003 and
as a result, tie sales have decreased. The Company is still selling ties to this
customer, although there are no longer annual minimum quantity requirements.  In
December  2003,  the Company bid on a new concrete tie supply  agreement that is
expected to be a 5 to 7 year commitment.  If the bid is successful,  the Company
will be  required  to  establish  one or more new  facilities  to  service  this
agreement,  which would require a significant capital investment. If the Company
is  unsuccessful  in the  bidding  process,  it may  cause  the value of its two
existing tie facilities with total net assets of approximately  $7,725,000 to be
partially  impaired.  The Company  expects to know the results of its bid in the
second quarter.


14. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
    ----------------

The Company had a  LIBOR-based  interest  rate collar  agreement,  which  became
effective  in April 2001 and  expired in April  2006,  with a notional  value of
$10,000,000,  a maximum  annual  interest  rate of 5.14%,  and a minimum  annual
interest  rate of 4.97%.  The  counter-party  to the  collar  agreement  had the
option,  on April 18,  2004,  to convert  the  $10,000,000  collar to a two-year
fixed-rate instrument with interest payable at an annual rate of 5.48%. The fair
value of this collar agreement was a liability of $735,000 as of March 31, 2004.

In April 2004, prior to the  counter-party  option,  the Company  terminated the
$10,000,000  interest rate collar  agreement by purchasing it for its fair value
of $707,000.




Item 2. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS

                                    OVERVIEW
General
- -------

L. B. Foster Company is a  manufacturer,  fabricator and distributor of products
utilized in the transportation infrastructure, construction and utility markets.
The Company is comprised of three business segments: Rail products, Construction
products and Tubular products.

Recent Developments
- -------------------

The Company had  previously  reached an  agreement  to sell,  modify and install
machinery and equipment related to its former Newport, KY pipe-coating facility.
During the first quarter of 2004,  the Company  completed the  installation  and
recognized  a $0.5 million  gain from the sale of these  assets,  which had been
classified as "held for resale".


                          CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The  accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in
conformity with accounting  principles  generally accepted in the United States.
When more than one  accounting  principle,  or  method  of its  application,  is
generally  accepted,   management  selects  the  principle  or  method  that  is
appropriate  in the  Company's  specific  circumstances.  Application  of  these
accounting  principles  requires  management to make estimates  about the future
resolution of existing  uncertainties.  As a result, actual results could differ
from these estimates.  In preparing these financial  statements,  management has
made its best estimates and judgments of the amounts and disclosures included in
the financial  statements  giving due regard to materiality.  There have been no
material changes in the Company's policies or estimates since December 31, 2003.
For more  information  regarding the  Company's  critical  accounting  policies,
please see the  discussion  in  Management's  Discussion & Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations in Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2003.


                          NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In December 2003, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No.
132  (Revised  2003)  -  "Employers'   Disclosures   about  Pensions  and  Other
Post-retirement  Benefits" (SFAS 132R),  that replaces  existing FASB disclosure
requirements  for pensions and other  post-retirement  benefit plans.  SFAS 132R
requires  companies to provide more  complete  details  about their plan assets,
benefit obligations,  cash flows, benefit costs and other relevant  information.
In addition to expanded disclosures, the standard improves information available
to investors in interim financial statements. With certain exceptions, SFAS 132R
is effective  for fiscal  years ending after  December 31, 2003 and for quarters
beginning  after  December 31, 2003.  See Note 5 to the  consolidated  financial
statements in this 10-Q which  presents the additional  disclosures  required by
SFAS 132R.





                              RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

                                                          Three Months Ended
                                                                March 31,
                                                        -----------------------
                                                          2004             2003
                                                        -----------------------
                                                         (Dollars in thousands)
Net Sales:
      Rail Products ..................................   $ 35,587     $ 31,626
      Construction Products ..........................     26,775       23,964
      Tubular Products ...............................      3,090        3,929
                                                         ---------    ---------
          Total Net Sales ............................   $ 65,452     $ 59,519
                                                         =========    =========
Gross Profit:
      Rail Products ..................................   $  3,422     $  3,786
      Construction Products ..........................      2,533        2,806
      Tubular Products ...............................        435          802
      Other ..........................................       (408)        (461)
                                                         ---------    ---------
          Total Gross Profit .........................      5,982        6,933
                                                         ---------    ---------

Expenses:
      Selling and administrative expenses ............      6,401        6,567
      Interest expense ...............................        463          579
      Other income ...................................       (694)        (320)
                                                         ---------    ---------
          Total Expenses .............................      6,170        6,826
                                                         ---------    ---------


(Loss) Income From Continuing Operations
      Before Income Taxes ............................       (188)         107
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense .........................        (75)          43
                                                         ---------    ---------

(Loss) Income From Continuing Operations .............       (113)          64

Discontinued Operations:
      Loss From Operations of Foster Technologies ....       --           (380)
      Income Tax Benefit .............................       --           (150)
                                                         ---------    ---------
Loss on Discontinued Operations ......................       --           (230)

                                                         ---------    ---------
Net Loss .............................................   ($   113)    ($   166)
                                                         =========    =========

Gross Profit %:
      Rail Products ..................................        9.6%        12.0%
      Construction Products ..........................        9.5%        11.7%
      Tubular Products ...............................       14.1%        20.4%
          Total Gross Profit .........................        9.1%        11.6%




First Quarter 2004 Results of Operations
- ----------------------------------------

The Company had a first  quarter net loss of $0.1  million  ($0.01 per share) on
net  sales  of  $65.5  million.  Including  a net  loss  from  the  discontinued
operations of the Company's Foster Technologies subsidiary, the first quarter of
2003  resulted in a net loss of $0.2  million  ($0.02 per share) on net sales of
$59.5 million.

Net sales for the first quarter of 2004  improved  10.0% over the same period in
2003.  This  improvement  came  from our Rail and  Construction  segments.  Rail
segment sales increased 12.5% due to an exceptionally strong quarter for our new
rail distribution business. Construction products' net sales increased 11.7% due
primarily to increases in H-beam prices and volume  within our piling  division.
The decline in Tubular  products'  sales can be attributed to a decline in major
pipeline  installations,  as higher steel costs have caused these projects to be
delayed.

The Company's gross profit margin was 9.1% in the first quarter of 2004 compared
to 11.6% in the same period last year. Rail products'  profit margin dropped 2.4
percentage  points  primarily  due to the fact  that the  sales  increases  were
experienced by our lower margin distribution businesses. Sales volumes were down
for  higher  margin   manufactured  rail  products.   The  low  volumes  in  our
manufacturing  plants resulted in  inefficiencies  that further reduced margins.
The 2.2 percentage  point decline in Construction  products' margin was also due
to weaker  sales of higher  margin  manufactured  and  fabricated  products  and
related plant  inefficiencies.  Our highway products rely on government spending
for infrastructure  projects.  Continued delays in passing legislation for these
projects  and  continued  state  budget  deficits  have  created  a  competitive
environment  for a smaller number of new  government  sponsored  projects.  This
environment  continues to have an  unfavorable  impact on  Construction  segment
gross margin.  Tubular products' 6.3 percentage point decline in gross margin is
related  to plant  inefficiencies  from  volume  declines,  as a  result  of the
above-mentioned delays in major pipeline projects.

Selling and administrative  expenses declined $0.2 million,  or 2.5% compared to
the first quarter of 2003.  This decline was  primarily  due to lower  insurance
costs realized in the current  quarter.  Interest  expense declined 20% from the
prior year period due principally to a $4.5 million reduction in corporate debt.
Other income improved by $0.4 million as a result of the successful installation
and  sale  of the  Company's  former  Newport,  KY  pipe-coating  machinery  and
equipment which had been classified as "held for resale".

The effective tax rate for the first quarters of 2004 and 2003 was approximately
40%.


                         LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company's capitalization is as follows:

                                                     March 31,      December 31,
(in thousands)                                         2004            2003
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debt:
Revolving credit facility ......................      $16,822         $17,000
Capital leases .................................        1,443           1,616
Other (primarily revenue bonds) ................        2,837           2,853
                                                      -------         -------
  Total Debt ...................................       21,102          21,469
                                                      -------         -------
Equity .........................................       71,326          70,544
                                                      -------         -------
Total Capitalization ...........................      $92,428         $92,013
                                                      =======         =======

Debt as a  percentage  of  capitalization  (debt plus  equity)  remained at 23%.
Working capital was $46.7 million at March 31, 2004 compared to $46.8 million at
December 31, 2003.

The Company's liquidity needs arise from seasonal working capital  requirements,
capital expenditures,  acquisitions and debt service obligations.  The following
table summarized the impact of these items:


                                                                 March 31,
(in thousands)                                               2004         2003
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIQUIDITY NEEDS:
Working capital and other assets and liabilities .....     ($4,154)     $ 1,335
Capital expenditures, net of asset sales .............      (1,190)        (462)
Scheduled debt service obligations - net .............        (189)        (206)
Cash interest ........................................        (424)        (543)
                                                           --------     --------
  Net liquidity (requirements) surplus ...............      (5,957)         124
                                                           --------     --------
LIQUIDITY SOURCES (USES):
Internally generated cash flows before interest ......       1,136        1,909
Credit facility activity .............................        (178)      (2,000)
Equity transactions ..................................         901           13
Other ................................................        --            228
                                                           --------     --------
  Net liquidity sources ..............................       1,859          150
                                                           --------     --------
NET CHANGE IN CASH ...................................     ($4,098)     $   274
                                                           ========     ========

Capital expenditures were $1.2 million for the first quarter of 2004 compared to
$0.5 million in the same period of 2003. The amount of capital  spending in 2004
will depend upon the outcome of the Company's bid on a concrete tie contract, as
a successful  outcome will require the  construction of one or more  facilities.
Excluding  business  acquisitions  and the  potential  concrete tie  facilities,
capital expenditures for 2004 are expected to be approximately $4.0 million, and
funded by cash flow from operations and available external financing sources.

The Company's  Board of Directors has authorized the purchase of up to 1,500,000
shares of its Common stock at prevailing  market prices.  No purchases have been
made since the first quarter of 2001.  From August 1997 through March 2001,  the
Company had repurchased  973,398 shares at a cost of approximately $5.0 million.
The timing and extent of future  purchases will depend on market  conditions and
options available to the Company for alternate uses of its resources.

The Company has an agreement that provides for a revolving credit facility of up
to $60.0  million in borrowings  to support the  Company's  working  capital and
other liquidity  requirements.  The revolving credit facility,  which matures in
September 2005, is secured by substantially  all of the Company's  inventory and
trade receivables. Availability under this agreement is limited by the amount of
eligible  inventory and accounts  receivable  applied  against  certain  advance
rates.  Interest on the credit  facility is based on LIBOR plus a spread ranging
from 1.75% to 2.5%.  Total revolving  credit  agreement  borrowings at March 31,
2004 were $16.8  million,  a decrease of $0.2 million from December 31, 2003. At
March  31,  2004,  remaining  available  borrowings  under  this  facility  were
approximately  $25.1  million.  Outstanding  letters of credit at March 31, 2004
were approximately  $3.0 million.  The letters of credit expire annually and are
subject to renewal.  Management  believes its  internal and external  sources of
funds are adequate to meet anticipated needs.

The credit agreement includes financial  covenants requiring a minimum net worth
and  a  minimum  level  for  the  fixed  charge  coverage  ratio.   The  primary
restrictions to this agreement include investments,  indebtedness,  and the sale
of certain  assets.  On September 8, 2003, the first amendment to this agreement
allowed for the sale of the Company's  equity interest in a specialty  trackwork
supplier.  For more information regarding the transaction,  see "Other Matters".
As of March 31, 2004, the Company was in compliance  with all of the agreement's
covenants.



                         OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

The Company's off-balance sheet arrangements include operating leases,  purchase
obligations and standby letters of credit. A schedule of the Company's  required
payments under financial  instruments  and other  commitments as of December 31,
2003 are included in "Liquidity and Capital  Resources" section of the Company's
2003 Annual Report files on Form 10-K. There have been no significant changes to
the Company's  contractual  obligations relative to the information presented in
the Form 10-K. These arrangements provide the Company with increased flexibility
relative to the utilization and investment of cash resources.


                      DAKOTA, MINNESOTA & Eastern Railroad

The  Company  maintains a  significant  investment  in the  Dakota,  Minnesota &
Eastern Railroad Corporation (DM&E), a privately held, regional railroad,  which
controls over 2,500 miles of track in eight states.

At March 31, 2004,  the  Company's  investment  was comprised of $0.2 million of
DM&E common stock,  $1.5 million of Series B Preferred Stock and warrants,  $6.0
million of Series C Preferred  Stock and  warrants,  $0.8  million of  Preferred
Series C-1 Stock and warrants,  and $0.5 million of Series D Preferred Stock and
warrants. In addition,  the Company has a receivable for accrued dividend income
on Preferred Stock of approximately $5.0 million. The Company owns approximately
13.6% of the DM&E.

In June 1997,  the DM&E announced its plan to build an extension from the DM&E's
existing  line into the low  sulfur  coal  market of the Powder  River  Basin in
Wyoming  and to  rebuild  approximately  600 miles of its  existing  track  (the
Project). The estimated cost of this project is expected to be in excess of $2.0
billion. The Surface  Transportation Board (STB) approved the Project in January
2002. In October 2003,  however,  the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals remanded
the matter to the STB and  instructed the STB to address,  in its  environmental
impact statement, the Project's effects on air quality, noise and vibration, and
preservation of historic sites. On January 30, 2004, the 8th U. S. Circuit Court
of Appeals denied petitions seeking a rehearing of the case.

If the Project  proves to be viable,  management  believes that the value of the
Company's  investment in the DM&E could increase  significantly.  If the Project
does not come to fruition,  management  believes that the value of the Company's
investment is supported by the DM&E's existing business.

In December 2003, the DM&E received a Railroad  Rehabilitation  and  Improvement
Financing  (RRIF) Loan in the amount of $233.0 million from the Federal Railroad
Administration.  Funding  provided by the 25-year loan will be used to refinance
debt and upgrade infrastructure along parts of its existing route.


                                  OTHER MATTERS

Specialty  trackwork  sales of the Company's  Rail segment have declined since a
decision  was made to  terminate  our  relationship  with a principal  trackwork
supplier  during the third  quarter of 2002.  In the third  quarter of 2003,  we
exchanged  our minority  ownership  interest and advances to this supplier for a
$5.5 million  promissory  note from the  supplier's  owner,  with  principal and
accrued  interest to be repaid beginning in January 2008. The value of this note
has been fully  reserved and no gain or loss was  recorded on this  transaction.
During  the first  three  months of 2004 and 2003,  the volume of  business  the
supplier  conducted  with the Company was  approximately  $1.0  million and $3.4
million, respectively.  Most of the combined order backlog was completed in 2003
and  approximately  $1.1 million remained at March 31, 2004. If this supplier is
unable to perform,  it could have a further negative impact on earnings and cash
flows.

During  the  first  quarter  of  2003,  the  Company  sold  certain  assets  and
liabilities of its Foster Technologies subsidiary, engaged in the rail signaling
and communication  device business,  for $0.3 million.  This subsidiary had been
classified as a discontinued  operation in December 2002. The first quarter 2003
loss from this business was  principally  due to losses  incurred up to the sale
date, as well as certain  charges taken for employee  severance  costs and lease
obligations.


We continue to evaluate the overall performance of our operations. A decision to
down-size or terminate an existing operation could have a material adverse
effect on near-term earnings but would not be expected to have a material
adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company.


                                     OUTLOOK

Our CXT Rail operations and Allegheny Rail Products  division are dependent on a
Class I railroad for a significant  portion of their business.  Our agreement to
supply concrete ties to this railroad expired in September 2003 and as a result,
tie sales have decreased.  We are still selling ties to this customer,  although
there are no longer annual minimum quantity  requirements.  In December 2003, we
bid on a new concrete tie supply  agreement that is expected to be a 5 to 7 year
commitment.  If our bid is  successful,  we will be required to establish one or
more new facilities to service this agreement, which would require a significant
capital investment.  If we are unsuccessful in the bidding process, it may cause
the  value  of our  two  existing  tie  facilities  with  total  net  assets  of
approximately  $7.7  million  to be  partially  impaired.  We expect to know the
results of our bid in the second quarter.

Our business is dependent  upon steel as a key component in the products that we
sell. In the past year, the price of scrap steel, which is a key ingredient used
by  mini-mills  to  manufacture  many  steel  products,  has more than  doubled.
Producers  and other  suppliers  continue  to quote high  prices or are  quoting
monthly  price  surcharges.  Some  of  our  suppliers  are  experiencing  supply
problems.  Since many of the Company's projects can be six months to twenty-four
months in  duration,  we find  ourselves  caught in the  middle of some of these
pricing and availability  issues. While we believe this highly unusual situation
to be  temporary  in nature,  it could have a negative  impact on the  Company's
sales volumes, results of operations and cash flows until the market normalizes.
Although scrap prices have moderated over the last two months,  we are uncertain
as to what a more  medium-term  "normalization"  will look  like with  regard to
pricing and availability.

In 2003, we received an increased but still limited  supply of sheet piling from
our  exclusive  supplier.  The  sheet  piling  supply  is still  not  adequately
consistent and reliable for our piling  business to grow  profitably.  We expect
this year to be pivotal in determining  whether sheet piling will  contribute to
the future growth of this business.

Last year we began the  implementation  of Lean  Enterprise  (Lean)  across  the
organization. Lean is a methodology as well as a mindset, utilized in managing a
business  that  focuses  on the  execution  and  continuous  improvement  of all
business processes with the objective of maximizing speed and flexibility at the
lowest cost.  Proper  implementation  of Lean can lead to other benefits such as
better quality control and improved worker safety.

Lean has commenced at six of our  manufacturing  facilities and the  preliminary
results have been positive,  with  significant  improvement in  productivity  in
several  manufacturing  processes.  For these improvements to make a significant
impact on our financial results,  we must experience  increased volumes at these
facilities.

A  substantial  portion of the  Company's  operations  is heavily  dependent  on
governmental  funding of  infrastructure  projects.  Significant  changes in the
level of  government  funding  of  these  projects  could  have a  favorable  or
unfavorable impact on the operating results of the Company.  An extension of the
Federal  highway and transit bill (TEA-21) that was to expire April 30, 2004 has
been extended  another two months,  as  reauthorization  of a successive bill is
further  delayed.  A new  highway and transit  bill is  important  to the future
growth and  profitability  of many of the  Company's  businesses.  Additionally,
government  actions  concerning  taxation,  tariffs,  the environment,  or other
matters  could  impact the  operating  results  of the  Company.  The  Company's
operating results may also be affected negatively by adverse weather conditions.


Although  backlog is not  necessarily  indicative of future  operating  results,
total Company backlog at March 31, 2004, was approximately  $118.6 million.  The
following table provides the backlog by business segment:

                                                          Backlog
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            March 31,   December 31,   March 31,
(In thousands)                                2004          2003         2003
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rail Products ..........................    $ 46,038     $ 37,529      $ 52,317
Construction Products ..................      67,886       67,100        71,721
Tubular Products .......................       4,695        1,035         3,417
                                            --------     --------      --------
                            Total ......    $118,619     $105,664      $127,455
                                            ========     ========      ========

The increase in Rail segment backlog from December 31, 2003,  resulted primarily
from an increase in concrete  tie orders.  An increase in threaded  pipe backlog
for  products in the water well market and pipe  coating  services  improved the
Tubular segment backlog.

The decline in Rail segment  backlog from March 31, 2003 reflects a reduction in
specialty  trackwork  and  transit  products  backlog  and the  expiration  of a
concrete tie supply contract that included annual minimum sales volumes.



                    MARKET RISK AND RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES

The Company does not purchase or hold any derivative  financial  instruments for
trading purposes.  The Company uses derivative  financial  instruments to manage
interest rate exposure on variable-rate  debt,  primarily by using interest rate
collars and  variable  interest  rate swaps.  The  Company's  primary  source of
variable-rate  debt comes from its revolving  credit  agreement.  In conjunction
with the Company's  debt  refinancing  in the third quarter of 2002, the Company
discontinued cash flow hedge accounting  treatment for its interest rate collars
and has  applied  mark-to-market  accounting  prospectively.  The  Company has a
LIBOR-based interest rate collar agreement, which became effective in March 2001
and  expires in March  2006,  with a notional  value of  $15,000,000,  a maximum
annual interest rate of 5.60% and a minimum annual  interest rate of 5.00%.  The
counterparty  to the collar  agreement  has the  option,  on March 6,  2005,  to
convert  the  $15,000,000  collar  to a  one-year,  fixed-rate  instrument  with
interest  payable  at an annual  rate of 5.49%.  The fair  value of this  collar
agreement was a liability of $999,000 as of March 31, 2004. The Company also has
a LIBOR-based  interest rate collar  agreement,  which became effective in April
2001 and expires in April 2006, with a notional value of $10,000,000,  a maximum
annual interest rate of 5.14%,  and a minimum annual interest rate of 4.97%. The
counter-party  to the collar  agreement  had the option,  on April 18, 2004,  to
convert the $10,000,000 collar to a two-year fixed-rate instrument with interest
payable at an annual rate of 5.48%.  The fair value of this collar agreement was
a liability of $735,000 as of March 31, 2004.

Although  these  derivatives  are not deemed to be  effective  hedges of the new
credit  facility in  accordance  with the  provisions  of SFAS 133,  the Company
retained these  instruments as protection  against interest rate risk associated
with  the new  credit  agreement  and the  Company  records  the  mark-to-market
adjustments  on these  interest rate collars in its  consolidated  statements of
operations.  The fair value of the interest rate collars on March 31, 2004 was a
$1,734,000 liability and the company recorded  approximately  $42,000 of expense
in "other  income" in the first  quarter of 2004 on the  Condensed  Consolidated
Statements of Operations to adjust these  instruments to fair value. The Company
continues to apply cash flow hedge accounting to interest rate swaps.

The Company  recognizes all derivative  instruments on the balance sheet at fair
value.  Fluctuations in the fair values of derivative  instruments designated as
cash flow hedges are recorded in accumulated  other  comprehensive  income,  and
reclassified into earnings as the underlying hedged items affect earnings. To


the extent  that a change in an  interest  rate  derivative  does not  perfectly
offset the change in value of the interest  rate being hedged,  the  ineffective
portion is recognized in earnings immediately.

The two interest rate collar  agreements have a weighted  average minimum annual
interest rate of 4.99% to a maximum  weighted  average  annual  interest rate of
5.42%. Since the interest rate on the revolving credit agreement floats with the
short-term  market  rate of  interest,  the  Company is exposed to the risk that
these interest rates may decrease below the minimum annual interest rates on the
two  interest  rate  collar  agreements.  The effect of a 1% decrease in rate of
interest below the 4.99% weighted  average minimum annual interest rate on $16.0
million of  outstanding  floating  rate debt would  result in  increased  annual
interest costs of approximately $0.2 million.

In April 2004, prior to the  counter-party  option,  the Company  terminated the
$10,000,000  interest rate collar  agreement by purchasing it for its fair value
of $707,000.

The  Company  is not  subject  to  significant  exposures  to changes in foreign
currency  exchange  rates.  The Company  will,  however,  manage its exposure to
changes  in  foreign  currency   exchange  rates  on  firm  sales  and  purchase
commitments by entering into foreign currency exchange contracts.  The Company's
risk management objective is to reduce its exposure to the effects of changes in
exchange rates on these transactions over the duration of the transaction.


                           FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements  relating  to the  potential  value or  viability  of the DM&E or the
Project,  or  management's  belief  as  to  such  matters,  are  forward-looking
statements  and are  subject to numerous  contingencies  and risk  factors.  The
Company has based its assessment on information provided by the DM&E and has not
independently verified such information. In addition to matters mentioned above,
factors  which  can  adversely  affect  the value of the DM&E,  its  ability  to
complete  the Project or the  viability  of the Project  include the  following:
labor  disputes,  the outcome of certain  litigation,  any  inability  to obtain
necessary  environmental  and  government  approvals for the Project in a timely
fashion, the DM&E's ability to continue to obtain interim funding to finance the
Project,  the  expense of  environmental  mitigation  measures  required  by the
Surface  Transportation Board, an inability to obtain financing for the Project,
competitors' response to the Project,  market demand for coal or electricity and
changes in environmental laws and regulations.

The Company cautions readers that various factors could cause the actual results
of the Company to differ  materially  from those  indicated  by  forward-looking
statements made from time to time in news releases,  reports,  proxy statements,
registration   statements  and  other  written  communications   (including  the
preceding  sections of this  Management's  Discussion and Analysis),  as well as
oral statements, such as references made to the future profitability,  made from
time to time by representatives of the Company.  Additional delays in a Virginia
steel  mill's  production  of sheet  piling  products,  or  failure  to  produce
substantial  quantities  of sheet piling  products  could  adversely  impact the
Company's earnings. The inability to successfully negotiate a new sales contract
with a current  Class I railroad  customer  could have a negative  impact on the
operating  results of the Company.  The Company's  businesses  could be affected
adversely by continued  price  increases in the steel scrap  market.  Except for
historical   information,   matters   discussed   in  such   oral  and   written
communications   are   forward-looking   statements   that  involve   risks  and
uncertainties,  including but not limited to general  business  conditions,  the
availability of material from major  suppliers,  the impact of competition,  the
seasonality  of the  Company's  business,  the adequacy of internal and external
sources of funds to meet  financing  needs,  taxes,  inflation and  governmental
regulations.  Sentences  containing words such as "anticipates",  "expects",  or
"will" generally should be considered forward-looking statements.



Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
        ----------------------------------------------------------

See the  "Market  Risk and  Risk  Management  Policies"  section  under  Item 2,
Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations.


Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
        -----------------------

a)   As of the end of the period  covered by this report,  L. B. Foster  Company
     (the Company) carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the
     participation  of the Company's  management,  including the Chief Executive
     Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design
     and operation of the Company's  disclosure controls and procedures pursuant
     to  Exchange  Act  Rules  13a - 15(e)  and 15d -  15(e).  Based  upon  that
     evaluation,  the  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  Chief  Financial  Officer
     concluded  that  the  Company's  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  are
     effective  to timely  alert them to  material  information  relating to the
     Company (including its consolidated  subsidiaries)  required to be included
     in the Company's periodic SEC filings.

b)   There have been no significant  changes in the Company's  internal controls
     over financial reporting that occurred in the period covered by this report
     that have  materially  affected  or are  likely to  materially  affect  the
     Company's internal controls over financial reporting.



                            PART II OTHER INFORMATION
                            -------------------------

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
        -----------------

See  Note  10,  "Commitments  and  Contingent  Liabilities",  to  the  Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements.


Item 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
        --------------------------------

  a) EXHIBITS
     Unless marked by an asterisk, all exhibits are incorporated by reference:

     3.1  Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation,  filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Form
          10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003.

     3.2  Bylaws of the Registrant,  as amended to date, filed as Exhibit 3.2 to
          Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

     4.0  Rights  Amendment,  dated  as of May 15,  1997  between  L. B.  Foster
          Company and American  Stock  Transfer & Trust  Company,  including the
          form of Rights Certificate and the Summary of Rights attached thereto,
          filed as  Exhibit  4.0 to Form 10-K for the year  ended  December  31,
          2002.

    4.0.1 Amended Rights Agreement dated as of May 14, 1998 between L. B. Foster
          Company  and  American  Stock  Transfer  and Trust  Company,  filed as
          Exhibit 4.0.1 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003.

    4.0.2 Revolving  Credit and Security  Agreement  dated as of  September  26,
          2002,  between L. B.  Foster  Company  and PNC Bank,  N. A.,  filed as
          Exhibit 4.0.2 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2002.

    4.0.3 First  Amendment to  Revolving  Credit and  Security  Agreement  dated
          September 8, 2003,  between the Registrant and PNC Bank, N.A, filed as
          Exhibit 4.0.3 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.

    10.12 Lease between CXT  Incorporated and Pentzer  Development  Corporation,
          dated April 1, 1993,  filed as Exhibit 10.12 to Form 10-K for the year
          ended December 31, 1999.


  10.12.1 Second  Amendment  dated  March  12,  1996 to  lease  between  CXT
          Incorporated and Crown West Realty, LLC,  successor,  filed as Exhibit
          10.12.1 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.

  10.12.2 Third  Amendment  dated  November  7,  2002 to lease  between  CXT
          Incorporated  and Crown West Realty,  LLC, filed as Exhibit 10.12.2 to
          Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

  10.12.3 Fourth  Amendment  dated  December  15,  2003 to lease  between CXT
          Incorporated  and Crown West Realty,  LLC, filed as Exhibit 10.12.3 to
          Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

    10.13 Lease between CXT Incorporated and Crown West Realty,  L. L. C., dated
          December  20, 1996,  filed as Exhibit  10.13 to Form 10-K for the year
          ended December 31, 1999.

  10.13.1 Amendment  dated June 29, 2001 between CXT  Incorporated  and Crown
          West Realty,  filed as Exhibit 10.13.1 to Form 10-K for the year ended
          December 31, 2002.

    10.15 Lease between CXT  Incorporated  and Union Pacific  Railroad  Company,
          dated  February 13, 1998,  and filed as Exhibit 10.15 to Form 10-K for
          the year ended December 31, 1999.

  10.15.1 Renewal  Rider for lease  between CXT  Incorporated,  Union Pacific
          Railroad Company and Nevada Railroad  Materials,  Inc., dated December
          17, 2003, and filed as Exhibit 10.15.1 to Form 10-K for the year ended
          December 31, 2003.

  10.15.2 Renewal Rider for lease between CXT  Incorporated and Union Pacific
          Railroad  Company dated December 17, 2003 and filed as Exhibit 10.15.2
          to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

    10.17 Lease between Registrant and the City of Hillsboro,  TX dated February
          22,  2002,  filed as  Exhibit  10.17 to Form  10-K for the year  ended
          December 31, 2002.

    10.19 Lease  between  Registrant  and  American  Cast Iron Pipe  Company for
          pipe-coating facility in Birmingham, AL dated December 11, 1991, filed
          as Exhibit 10.19 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

  10.19.1 Amendment to Lease between  Registrant  and American Cast Iron Pipe
          Company for pipe-coating facility in Birmingham, AL dated November 15,
          2000,  and filed as  Exhibit  10.19.2  to Form 10-K for the year ended
          December 31, 2000.

    10.20 Equipment   Purchase   and  Service   Agreement  by  and  between  the
          Registrant and LaBarge  Coating LLC, dated July 31, 2003, and filed as
          Exhibit 10.20 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.

    10.21 Stock  Purchase  Agreement,  dated  June  3,  1999  by and  among  the
          Registrant and the shareholders of CXT Incorporated,  filed as Exhibit
          10.0 to Form 8-K on July 14, 1999.

  10.33.2 Amended and Restated 1985  Long-Term  Incentive Plan as of February
          26, 1997,  filed as Exhibit 10.33.2 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
          March 31, 2003. **

    10.34 Amended and Restated 1998  Long-Term  Incentive Plan as of February 2,
          2001,  filed as Exhibit 10.34 to Form 10-K for the year ended December
          31, 2000. **

    10.45 Medical  Reimbursement  Plan  effective  January  1,  2004,  filed  as
          Exhibit 10.45 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. **


    10.46 Leased  Vehicle  Plan as amended and  restated  on October  16,  2002,
          filed as Exhibit  10.46 to Form 10-Q for the quarter  ended  September
          30, 2002. **

    10.51 Supplemental  Executive  Retirement  Plan,  filed as Exhibit  10.51 to
          Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002. **

    10.52 Outside  Directors'  Stock Award Plan,  filed as Exhibit 10.52 to Form
          10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002. **

    10.53 Directors'  resolutions  dated May 13,  2003,  under which  directors'
          compensation was established,  filed as Exhibit 10.53 to Form 10-Q for
          the quarter ended June 30, 2003. **

    10.55 2004 Management  Incentive  Compensation  Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.55
          to Form 10-K for he year ended December 31, 2003.

       19 Exhibits marked with an asterisk are filed herewith.

 *   31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer under Section 302 of the
          Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 *   31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer under Section 302 of the
          Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 *   32.0 Certification  of Chief  Executive  Officer and Chief  Financial
          Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

     **   Identifies  management  contract or  compensatory  plan or arrangement
          required to be filed as an Exhibit.



b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

On April 20, 2004, the Registrant  filed a current report on Form 8-K under Item
12 announcing first quarter results.






                                    SIGNATURE
                                    ---------



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






                                          L.B. FOSTER COMPANY
                                          -------------------
                                             (Registrant)


Date:  May 10, 2004                       By: /s/David J.Russo
       -------------                      --------------------
                                          David J. Russo
                                          Senior Vice President,
                                          Chief Financial Officer and
                                          Treasurer
                                         (Duly Authorized Officer of Registrant)