Exhibit 23.1

 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No.  333-65885)  pertaining to the Voluntary  Investment Plan of L.B. Foster
Company,  as amended  and  restated,  of our report  dated June 13,  2004,  with
respect to the  financial  statements  and schedule of the L.B.  Foster  Company
Voluntary  Investment  Plan  included in this Annual  Report (Form 11-K) for the
year ended December 31, 2003.



                                                      /s/Ernst & Young LLP

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
June 25, 2004