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Business Segments (Schedule Of Reporting Sement Data To Consolidated Totals From Continuing Ops) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales | $ 161,149 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet | $ 167,797 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet | $ 166,832 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet | $ 111,414 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet | $ 156,458 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet | $ 162,248 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet | $ 149,936 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet | $ 129,321 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet | $ 607,192 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet | $ 597,963 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet | $ 588,541 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,282 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments | 1,316 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments | 837 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income taxes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 39,056 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest | 44,115 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest | 23,830 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest
Assets | 495,121 us-gaap_Assets |  |  |  | 413,654 us-gaap_Assets |  |  |  | 495,121 us-gaap_Assets | 413,654 us-gaap_Assets | 406,122 us-gaap_Assets
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 12,577 us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet | 10,002 us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet | 12,973 us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet
Expenditures for Long-Lived Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 19,037 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions | 9,674 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions | 7,160 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions
Long-lived assets of continuing operating activities | 74,802 us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets |  |  |  | 50,109 us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets |  |  |  | 74,802 us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets | 50,109 us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets | 42,333 us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 17,056 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | 9,674 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | 7,160 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Rail distribution products [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 139,529 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = fstr_RailDistributionProductsMember | 144,911 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = fstr_RailDistributionProductsMember | 155,832 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = fstr_RailDistributionProductsMember
Piling Products [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 111,182 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = fstr_PilingProductsMember | 140,302 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = fstr_PilingProductsMember | 114,070 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = fstr_PilingProductsMember
Rail Technologies products [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 109,053 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = fstr_RailTechnologiesProductsMember | 88,670 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = fstr_RailTechnologiesProductsMember | 92,826 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = fstr_RailTechnologiesProductsMember
CXT concrete tie products [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 52,562 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = fstr_CxtConcreteTieProductsMember | 44,108 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = fstr_CxtConcreteTieProductsMember | 58,182 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = fstr_CxtConcreteTieProductsMember
Allegheny Rail Products [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 45,008 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = fstr_AlleghenyRailProductsMember | 36,666 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = fstr_AlleghenyRailProductsMember | 33,046 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = fstr_AlleghenyRailProductsMember
Concrete products [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 36,396 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = fstr_CxtConcreteBuildingProductsMember | 32,969 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = fstr_CxtConcreteBuildingProductsMember | 30,195 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = fstr_CxtConcreteBuildingProductsMember
Other products [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 113,462 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = fstr_OtherProductsMember | 110,337 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = fstr_OtherProductsMember | 104,390 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis = fstr_OtherProductsMember
United States [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 498,025 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_UnitedStatesMember | 495,710 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_UnitedStatesMember | 485,111 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_UnitedStatesMember
Long-lived assets of continuing operating activities | 66,905 us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_UnitedStatesMember |  |  |  | 40,717 us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_UnitedStatesMember |  |  |  | 66,905 us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_UnitedStatesMember | 40,717 us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_UnitedStatesMember | 31,961 us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_UnitedStatesMember
Canada [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 39,375 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_CanadaMember | 37,290 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_CanadaMember | 40,892 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_CanadaMember
Long-lived assets of continuing operating activities | 7,440 us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_CanadaMember |  |  |  | 8,833 us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_CanadaMember |  |  |  | 7,440 us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_CanadaMember | 8,833 us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_CanadaMember | 9,773 us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_CanadaMember
United Kingdom [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 22,625 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_UnitedKingdomMember | 16,548 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_UnitedKingdomMember | 18,698 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_UnitedKingdomMember
Long-lived assets of continuing operating activities | 457 us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_UnitedKingdomMember |  |  |  | 559 us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_UnitedKingdomMember |  |  |  | 457 us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_UnitedKingdomMember | 559 us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_UnitedKingdomMember | 599 us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_UnitedKingdomMember
Other - Seg Reporting [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 47,167 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_OtherSegReportingMember | 48,415 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_OtherSegReportingMember | 43,840 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = fstr_OtherSegReportingMember
Operating Segments [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 607,192 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember | 597,963 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember | 588,541 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
Operating Income (Loss) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 48,549 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember | 48,106 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember | 29,787 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income taxes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 48,549 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember | 48,106 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember | 29,787 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
Assets | 473,218 us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember |  |  |  | 381,446 us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember |  |  |  | 473,218 us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember | 381,446 us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember | 330,449 us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 11,593 us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember | 9,317 us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember | 12,454 us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
Expenditures for Long-Lived Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 15,446 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember | 7,648 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember | 6,004 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest Income, Other |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 530 us-gaap_InterestIncomeOther / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember | 659 us-gaap_InterestIncomeOther / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember | 452 us-gaap_InterestIncomeOther / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,282 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember | 1,316 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember | 837 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember
Unallocated Corporate Costs and Expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (12,043)fstr_UnallocatedCorporateCostsAndExpenses / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember | (6,003)fstr_UnallocatedCorporateCostsAndExpenses / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember | (8,364)fstr_UnallocatedCorporateCostsAndExpenses / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember
Assets | 30,192 us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember |  |  |  | 41,235 us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember |  |  |  | 30,192 us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember | 41,235 us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember | 84,737 us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 984 us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember | 685 us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember | 519 us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember
Expenditures for Long-Lived Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,610 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember | 2,026 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember | 1,156 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember
Segment Reconciling Items, LIFO [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Inventory, LIFO Reserve, Effect on Income, Net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 738 us-gaap_InventoryLIFOReserveEffectOnIncomeNet / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = fstr_SegmentReconcilingItemsLifoMember | 37 us-gaap_InventoryLIFOReserveEffectOnIncomeNet / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = fstr_SegmentReconcilingItemsLifoMember | 1,118 us-gaap_InventoryLIFOReserveEffectOnIncomeNet / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = fstr_SegmentReconcilingItemsLifoMember
Assets | (8,289)us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = fstr_SegmentReconcilingItemsLifoMember |  |  |  | (9,027)us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = fstr_SegmentReconcilingItemsLifoMember |  |  |  | (8,289)us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = fstr_SegmentReconcilingItemsLifoMember | (9,027)us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = fstr_SegmentReconcilingItemsLifoMember | (9,064)us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = fstr_SegmentReconcilingItemsLifoMember
Segment Reconciling Items, Financing Agreements [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Expenditures for Long-Lived Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1,981 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = fstr_SegmentReconcilingItemsFinancingAgreementsMember | $ 0 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = fstr_SegmentReconcilingItemsFinancingAgreementsMember | $ 0 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditions / us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis = fstr_SegmentReconcilingItemsFinancingAgreementsMember

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- Definition The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585 + Details
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