Acquisitions (Pro Forma Income Statements) (Table) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	[1]	Sep. 30, 2015	[2]	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	[3]	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	[4]	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Diluted (loss) earnings per share As Reported	$ 0.32		$ (5.60)		$ 0.52	$ 0.41	$ 0.58		$ 0.88	$ 0.67		$ 0.35	$ (4.33)	$ 2.48	$ 2.85
Pro Forma [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net sales													$ 640,596	$ 806,384
Gross profit													138,123	183,163
Net (loss) income													$ (44,399)	$ 41,745
Dilutive (loss) earnings per share Pro forma													$ (4.32)	$ 4.04

[1] Fourth quarter 2015 includes $2,279 pre-tax gain on sale of Tucson, AZ concrete tie facility.

[2] Third quarter 2015 includes $80,337 ($63,887 net of tax) impairment of goodwill related to the IOS and Chemtec reporting units.

[3] Fourth quarter 2014 includes a $4,766 warranty charge related to UPRR warranty claim.

[4] Second quarter 2014 includes a $4,000 warranty charge related to UPRR warranty claim.