Basis of Presentation (Policy)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of FreightCar America, Inc. and subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Under the terms of the joint venture operating agreement for the Fasemex entities related to its Mexico operations, the Company had the right to appoint the majority of the members of the board and management for the joint venture. The Company therefore, determined that it had the power to direct the activities of the related entities that most significantly impact their economic performance and it also had the right to receive significant benefits and obligation to absorb losses from the operations, and as such, the Company determined that it was the primary beneficiary of these variable interest entities (“VIEs”). Therefore, these entities are consolidated as VIEs. The total assets of the Mexico operations amount to $5.5 million and the total liabilities of the Mexico operations amount to $0.4 million as of September 30, 2020. The net loss of the Mexico operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 is $2.0 million and $2.8 million, respectively. The noncontrolling minority interest as of September 30, 2020 and net loss attributable to the noncontrolling minority interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 amounted to $(1.5) million and $(1.4) million, respectively. The foregoing financial information has been prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for interim financial reporting. The preparation of the financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The accompanying interim financial information is unaudited; however, the Company believes the financial information reflects all adjustments (consisting of items of a normal recurring nature) necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with GAAP. The 2019 year-end balance sheet data was derived from the audited financial statements as of December 31, 2019. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the Company’s annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Basis of Presentation (Policy)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of FreightCar America, Inc. and subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Under the terms of the joint venture operating agreement for the Fasemex entities related to its Mexico operations, the Company had the right to appoint the majority of the members of the board and management for the joint venture. The Company therefore, determined that it had the power to direct the activities of the related entities that most significantly impact their economic performance and it also had the right to receive significant benefits and obligation to absorb losses from the operations, and as such, the Company determined that it was the primary beneficiary of these variable interest entities (“VIEs”). Therefore, these entities are consolidated as VIEs. The total assets of the Mexico operations amount to $5.5 million and the total liabilities of the Mexico operations amount to $0.4 million as of September 30, 2020. The net loss of the Mexico operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 is $2.0 million and $2.8 million, respectively. The noncontrolling minority interest as of September 30, 2020 and net loss attributable to the noncontrolling minority interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 amounted to $(1.5) million and $(1.4) million, respectively.

The foregoing financial information has been prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for interim financial reporting. The preparation of the financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The accompanying interim financial information is unaudited; however, the Company believes the financial information reflects all adjustments (consisting of items of a normal recurring nature) necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with GAAP. The 2019 year-end balance sheet data was derived

from the audited financial statements as of December 31, 2019. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the Company’s annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.