Other Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Dec. 23, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Nov. 23, 2015
Gain on Tucson, AZ asset sale (a)			$ (2,279)	$ (2,279)	[1]	$ 0	[1]	$ 0	[1]
Foreign currency gains				(1,616)		(422)		(433)
Remeasurement gain on equity method investment (b)	[2]			(580)		0		0
Legal settlement gain (c)	[3]			(460)		0		0
Other				(650)		(256)		(644)
Other income				$ (5,585)		$ (678)		$ (1,077)
Proceeds from Sale of Property Held-for-sale		$ 2,750
TEW Plus LTD [Member]
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest Remaining in Acquiree, Percentage										75.00%

[1] On December 23, 2015, the Company sold certain assets related to the former Tucson, AZ precast concrete tie facility for $2,750 resulting in a pre-tax gain on sale of $2,279.

[2] On November 23, 2015, the Company acquired the remaining 75% of shares of Tew Plus resulting in a gain of $580, which is recorded within other income as of December 31, 2015. The gain is included in equity loss (income) and remeasurement gain within the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

[3] During the fourth quarter the Company received $460 from the Steel Antitrust Settlement Fund related to a claim regarding steel purchased by the Company between 2005 and 2007.