Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011	Nov. 07, 2013 L.B. Foster Ball Winch, Inc. [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 L.B. Foster Ball Winch, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition			Nov. 07, 2013
Business Acquisition, Name of Acquired Entity			Ball Winch, LLC (Ball Winch)
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	$ 37,500	$ 8,952	$ 37,500
Business Combination, Indemnification Assets, Amount as of Acquisition Date			3,300
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net			37,995
Payments for Previous Acquisition				495
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs				$ 182