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