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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
     
þ   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009
or
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number: 000-51237
FREIGHTCAR AMERICA, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware   25-1837219
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 1250, Chicago, Illinois
(Address of principal executive offices)
  60606
(Zip Code)
(800) 458-2235
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
     
Title of class   Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share   Nasdaq Global Market
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
     Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES o NO þ
     Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. YES o NO þ
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES þ NO o
     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment of this Form 10-K. o
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES o NO o
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.:
             
Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer þ   Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company o
        (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). YES o NO þ
     The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2009 was $198.6 million, based on the closing price of $16.81 per share on the Nasdaq Global Market.
     As of March 11, 2010, there were 11,937,896 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
     
Documents   Part of Form 10-K
Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2010 annual meeting of stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days of the end of the registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
  Part III
 
 

 


 

FREIGHTCAR AMERICA, INC.
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PART I
Item 1. Business.
OVERVIEW
We and our predecessors have been manufacturing railcars since 1901. We are the leading manufacturer of aluminum-bodied railcars in North America, based on the number of railcars delivered. We specialize in the production of aluminum-bodied coal-carrying railcars, which represented 86% of our deliveries of railcars in 2009 and 69% of our deliveries of railcars in 2008, while the balance of our production consisted of a broad spectrum of railcar types, including aluminum-bodied and steel-bodied railcars. We also refurbish and rebuild railcars and sell forged, cast and fabricated parts for all of the railcars we produce, as well as those manufactured by others.
We are the leading North American manufacturer of coal-carrying railcars. We estimate that we have manufactured 65% of the coal-carrying railcars delivered over the three years ended December 31, 2009 in the North American market. Our BethGon® railcar has been the leading aluminum-bodied coal-carrying railcar sold in North America for nearly 20 years. Over the last 25 years, we believe we have built and introduced more types of coal-carrying railcars than all other manufacturers in North America combined.
Our current manufacturing facilities are located in Danville, Illinois and Roanoke, Virginia. Both facilities have the capability to manufacture a variety of types of railcars, including aluminum-bodied and steel-bodied railcars. We commenced operations at our leased manufacturing facility in Roanoke, Virginia in December 2004, and we delivered the first railcar manufactured at the Roanoke facility during the second quarter of 2005. In May 2008, we closed our manufacturing facility located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
Our primary customers are financial institutions, shippers and railroads, which represented 49%, 43% and 8%, respectively, of our total sales attributable to each type of customer for the year ended December 31, 2009. In the year ended December 31, 2009, we delivered 3,377 railcars, including 2,876 aluminum-bodied coal-carrying railcars. Our total backlog of firm orders for railcars decreased from 2,424 railcars as of December 31, 2008 to 265 railcars as of December 31, 2009, representing estimated sales of $183 million and $25 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively, attributable to such backlog. In 2008, we began offering railcar leasing and refurbishment alternatives to our customers; an approach designed to enhance our position as a full service provider to the railcar industry. As a result of our expansion into these services, our backlog at December 31, 2009 included 60 units under firm operating leases with independent third parties. Although we continually look for opportunities to package our leased assets for sale to our leasing company partners, these leased assets may not be converted to sales, and will remain revenue producing assets into the foreseeable future.
Our Internet website is www.freightcaramerica.com. We make available free of charge on or through our website items related to corporate governance, including, among other things, our corporate governance guidelines, charters of various committees of the Board of Directors and our code of business conduct and ethics. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments thereto, are available on our website and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Any stockholder of our company may also obtain copies of these documents, free of charge, by sending a request in writing to Investor Relations at FreightCar America, Inc., Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 1250, Chicago, Illinois 60606.
OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
We design and manufacture aluminum-bodied and steel-bodied railcars that are used in various industries. The types of railcars listed below include the major types of railcars that we are capable of manufacturing; however, some of the types of railcars listed below have not been ordered by any of our customers or manufactured by us in a number of years.
Any of the railcar types listed below may be further developed with particular characteristics, depending on the nature of the materials being transported and customer specifications. In addition, we refurbish and rebuild railcars and sell forged, cast and fabricated parts for all of the railcars that we manufacture, as well as those manufactured by others.

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We manufacture two primary types of coal-carrying railcars: gondolas and open-top hoppers. We build all of our coal-carrying railcars using a patented one-piece center sill, the main longitudinal structural component of the railcar. The one-piece center sill provides a higher carrying capacity and weighs significantly less than traditional multiple-piece center sills.
  BethGon Series. The BethGonÒ is the leader in the aluminum-bodied coal-carrying gondola railcar segment. Since we introduced the steel BethGon railcar in the late 1970s and the aluminum BethGon railcar in 1986, the BethGon railcar has become the most widely used coal-carrying railcar in North America. Our current BethGon II features lighter weight, higher capacity and increased durability suitable for long-haul coal carrying railcar service. We have received several patents on the features of the BethGon II and continue to explore ways to increase the BethGon II’s capacity and improve its reliability.
 
  AutoFlood Series. Our aluminum bodied open-top hopper railcar, the AutoFlood™, is a five-pocket coal-carrying railcar equipped with a bottom discharge gate mechanism. We began manufacturing AutoFlood railcars in 1984, and introduced the AutoFlood II and AutoFlood III designs in 1996 and 2002, respectively. Both the AutoFlood II and AutoFlood III design incorporate the automatic rapid discharge system, the MegaFlo™ door system, a patented mechanism that uses an over-center locking design, enabling the cargo door to close with tension rather than by compression. Further, AutoFlood railcars can be equipped with rotary couplers to permit rotary unloading.
 
  Other Coal-Carrying Railcars. We also manufacture a variety of other types of aluminum and steel-bodied coal-carrying railcars, including triple hopper, hybrid aluminum/stainless steel and flat bottom gondola railcars.
 
  Other Railcar Types. Our portfolio of other railcar types includes the following: The AVC™ Aluminum Vehicle Carrier design is used to transport commercial and light vehicles (automobiles and trucks) from assembly plants and ports to rail distribution centers; the Articulated Bulk Container railcar is designed to carry dense bulk products such as waste products in 20 foot containers; Intermodal Double Stack railcars, including a stand-alone, 40 foot well car and the DynaStackÒ articulated, 5-unit, 40 foot well car for international containers; a Small Cube Covered Hopper railcar used to transport high density products such as roofing granules, fly ash, sand and cement; a Mill Gondola Railcar used to transport steel products and scrap; Slab and Coil steel railcars designed specifically for transportation of steel slabs and coil steel products, respectively; Flat Railcars, Bulkhead Flat Railcars and Centerbeam Flat Railcars designed to transport a variety of products, including machinery and equipment, steel and structural steel components (including pipe), forest products and other bulky industrial products; a Woodchip Gondola Railcar designed to haul woodchips and municipal waste or other high-volume, low-density commodities; and a variety of non-coal carrying open top hopper railcars designed to carry aggregates, iron ore, taconite pellets, petroleum coke and other bulk commodities. For example, our VersaFlood™ aggregate car features the MegaFlo IA™ independent automatic door system with an optional hybrid aluminum/carbon steel body design
 
  International Railcar Designs. We have established a licensing arrangement with a railcar manufacturer in Brazil pursuant to which our technology is used to produce various types of railcars in Brazil. In addition, we manufacture coal-carrying railcars for export to Latin America and have manufactured intermodal railcars for export to the Middle East. Railroads outside of North America have a variety of track gauges that are sized differently than in North America, which requires us, in some cases, to alter manufacturing specifications for foreign sales. In 2008 we established a joint venture in India. The joint venture company, Titagarh FreightCar Private Ltd., is developing prototype railcars based on our designs. We continue to explore opportunities in other international markets.
 
  Spare Parts. We sell replacement parts for our railcars and railcars built by others.
We have added 15 new or redesigned products to our portfolio in the last five years, including the AVC, slab railcar, coil steel railcar, triple hopper railcars and hybrid aluminum/stainless steel railcars, ore cars, ballast cars and aggregate cars. We expect to continue introducing new or redesigned products.

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MANUFACTURING
We operate railcar production facilities in Danville, Illinois and Roanoke, Virginia. Our Danville and Roanoke facilities are each certified or approved for certification by the Association of American Railroads, or the AAR, which sets railcar manufacturing industry standards for quality control. At our Danville and Roanoke facilities, we will continue to adjust salaried and hourly labor personnel levels to coincide with production requirements.
In May 2008, we closed our manufacturing facility located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. This action was taken to further our strategy of maintaining our competitive position by optimizing production at our low-cost facilities and continuing our focus on cost control.
Our manufacturing process involves four basic steps: fabrication, assembly, finishing and inspection. Each of our facilities has numerous checkpoints at which we inspect products to maintain quality control, a process that our operations management continuously monitors. In our fabrication processes, we employ standard metal working tools, many of which are computer controlled. Each assembly line typically involves 15 to 20 manufacturing positions, depending on the complexity of the particular railcar design. We use mechanical fastening in the fitting and assembly of our aluminum-bodied railcar parts, while we typically use welding for the assembly of our steel-bodied railcars. For aluminum-bodied railcars, we begin the finishing process by cleaning the railcar’s surface and then applying the decals. In the case of steel-bodied railcars, we begin the finishing process by blasting the surface area of the railcar and then painting it. We use water-based paints to reduce the emission of volatile organic compounds, and we meet state and U.S. federal regulations for control of emissions and disposal of hazardous materials. Once we have completed the finishing process, our employees, along with representatives of the customer purchasing the particular railcars, inspect all railcars for adherence to specifications.
We have focused on making our manufacturing facilities more flexible and lean. Lean manufacturing reduces product change-overs and improves product quality. We believe our focus on lean manufacturing principles will change the competitive landscape while generating new profitability and market share.
CUSTOMERS
We have strong long-term relationships with many large purchasers of railcars. Long-term customer relationships are particularly important in the railcar industry, given the limited number of buyers of railcars.
Our customer base consists mostly of North American financial institutions, shippers and railroads. We believe that our customers’ preference for reliable, high-quality products, the relatively high cost for customers to switch manufacturers, our technological leadership in developing and enhancing innovative products and the competitive pricing of our railcars have helped us maintain our long-standing relationships with our customers.
In 2009, revenue from three customers, Mitsui Rail Capital, Grand River Dam Authority and Bank of America Leasing, accounted for approximately 15%, 15% and 14% of total revenue, respectively. In 2009, sales to our top five customers accounted for approximately 63% of total revenue. Our railcar sales to customers outside the United States were $43.1 million in 2009. While we maintain strong relationships with our customers and we serve over 70 active customers, many customers do not purchase railcars every year since railcar fleets are not necessarily replenished or augmented every year. The size and frequency of railcar orders often results in a small number of customers representing a significant portion of our sales in a given year.
SALES AND MARKETING
Our direct sales group is organized geographically and consists of regional sales managers and contract administrators, a manager of customer service and support staff. The regional sales managers are responsible for managing customer relationships. Our contract administrators are responsible for preparing proposals and other inside sales activities. Our manager of customer service is responsible for after-sale follow-up and in-field product performance reviews.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Our railcar research and development activities provide us with an important competitive advantage. Although railcar designs have been historically slow to change in our industry, we have introduced 15 new railcar designs or product-line extensions in the last five years. Our research and development team, working within our engineering

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group, is dedicated to the design of new products. In addition, the team continuously identifies design upgrades for our existing railcars, which we implement as part of our effort to reduce costs and improve quality. We introduce new railcar designs as a result of a combination of customer feedback and close observation of market demand trends. Our engineers use current modeling software and three-dimensional modeling technology to assist with product design. New product designs are tested for compliance with AAR standards prior to introduction. Costs associated with research and development are expensed as incurred and totaled $0.8 million, $2.0 million and $2.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
BACKLOG
We define backlog as the value of those products or services which our customers have committed in writing to purchase from us, but which have not been recognized as sales. Our contracts include cancellation clauses under which customers are required, upon cancellation of the contract, to reimburse us for costs incurred in reliance on an order and to compensate us for lost profits. However, customer orders may be subject to customer requests for delays in railcar deliveries, inspection rights and other customary industry terms and conditions, which could prevent or delay backlog from being converted into sales.
The following table depicts our reported railcar backlog in number of railcars and estimated future sales value attributable to such backlog, for the periods shown.
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
Railcar backlog at start of period
    2,424       5,399       9,315  
Railcars delivered
    (3,377 )     (10,276 )     (10,282 )
Railcar orders, net of cancellations
    1,218       7,301       6,366  
 
                 
Railcar backlog at end of period
    265       2,424       5,399  
 
                 
Estimated backlog at end of period (in thousands) (1)
  $ 24,839     $ 183,441     $ 422,054  
 
(1)   Estimated backlog reflects the total sales attributable to the backlog reported at the end of the particular period as if such backlog were converted to actual sales. Estimated backlog does not reflect potential price increases and decreases under customer contracts that provide for variable pricing based on changes in the cost of raw materials. Estimated backlog includes leased railcars as if sold. Although we continually look for opportunities to package our leased assets for sale to our leasing company partners, these leased assets may not be converted to sales
Our backlog at December 31, 2009 included 60 units under firm operating leases with independent third parties. Although our reported backlog is typically converted to sales within one year, our reported backlog may not be converted to sales in any particular period, if at all, and the actual sales from these contracts may not equal our reported backlog estimates. See Item 1A. “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—The level of our reported backlog may not necessarily indicate what our future sales will be and our actual sales may fall short of the estimated sales value attributed to our backlog.” In addition, due to the large size of railcar orders and variations in the mix of railcars, the size of our reported backlog at the end of any given period may fluctuate significantly. See Item 1A. “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Railcar Industry—The variable purchase patterns of our customers and the timing of completion, delivery and acceptance of customer orders may cause our sales and income from operations to vary substantially each quarter, which will result in significant fluctuations in our quarterly results.”
SUPPLIERS AND MATERIALS
The cost of raw materials and components represents a substantial majority of the manufacturing costs of most of our railcar product lines. As a result, the management of purchasing raw materials and components is critical to our profitability. We enjoy generally strong relationships with our suppliers, which helps to ensure access to supplies when railcar demand is high.

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Our primary aluminum suppliers are Alcoa Inc. and Alcan Inc. Aluminum prices generally are fixed at the time a railcar order is accepted, mitigating the effect of future fluctuations in prices. We purchase steel primarily from U.S. sources, except for our cold-rolled center sills, which we purchase from a single Canadian supplier. A center sill is the primary structural component of a railcar.
Our primary component suppliers include Amsted Industries, Inc., which supplies us with castings and couplers through its American Steel Foundries subsidiary, wheels through its Griffin Wheel Company subsidiary, draft components through its Keystone subsidiary and bearings through its Brenco subsidiary. Roll Form Group, a division of Samuel Manu-Tech, Inc., is the sole supplier of our cold-rolled center sills, which were used in 99% and 91% of our railcars produced in 2009 and 2008, respectively. Other suppliers provide brake systems, wheels, castings, axles and bearings. The railcar industry is subject to supply constraints for some of the key railcar components. See Item 1A. “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Railcar Industry—Limitations on the supply of wheels and other railcar components could adversely affect our business because they may limit the number of railcars we can manufacture.”
Except as described above, there are usually at least two suppliers for each of our raw materials and specialty components, and we actively purchase from over 200 suppliers. No single supplier accounted for more than 21% and 22% of our total purchases in 2009 and 2008, respectively. Our top ten suppliers accounted for 69% and 68% of our total purchases in 2009 and 2008, respectively.
COMPETITION
We operate in a highly competitive marketplace. Competition is based on price, product design, reputation for product quality, reliability of delivery and customer service and support.
We have four principal competitors in the North American railcar market that primarily manufacture railcars for third-party customers, which are Trinity Industries, Inc., National Steel Car Limited, The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. and American Railcar Industries, Inc.
Competition in the North American market from railcar manufacturers located outside of North America is limited by, among other factors, high shipping costs and familiarity with the North American market.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
We have several U.S. and non-U.S. patents and pending applications, registered trademarks, copyrights and trade names. Our key patents are for our one-piece center sill, our MegaFlo™ door system and our top chord and side stake for coal-carrying railcars. The protection of our intellectual property is important to our business.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 2009, we had 188 employees, of whom 121 were salaried and 67 were hourly wage earners. As of December 31, 2009, approximately 58, or 31%, of our employees were members of unions. As of December 31, 2008, we had 875 employees, of whom 173 were salaried and 702 were hourly wage earners. As of December 31, 2008, approximately 452, or 52%, of our employees were members of unions. See Item 1A. “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Labor disputes could disrupt our operations and divert the attention of our management and may have a material adverse effect on our operations and profitability.”
REGULATION
The Federal Railroad Administration, or FRA, administers and enforces U.S. federal laws and regulations relating to railroad safety. These regulations govern equipment and safety compliance standards for freight railcars and other rail equipment used in interstate commerce. The AAR promulgates a wide variety of rules and regulations governing safety and design of equipment, relationships among railroads with respect to freight railcars in interchange and other matters. The AAR also certifies freight railcar manufacturers and component manufacturers that provide equipment for use on railroads in the United States. New products must generally undergo AAR testing and approval processes. As a result of these regulations, we must maintain certifications with the AAR as a freight railcar manufacturer, and products that we sell must meet AAR and FRA standards.

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We are also subject to oversight in other jurisdictions by foreign regulatory agencies and to the extent that we expand our business internationally, we will increasingly be subject to the regulations of other non-U.S. jurisdictions.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
We are subject to comprehensive federal, state, local and international environmental laws and regulations relating to the release or discharge of materials into the environment, the management, use, processing, handling, storage, transport or disposal of hazardous materials, or otherwise relating to the protection of human health and the environment. These laws and regulations not only expose us to liability for our own negligent acts, but also may expose us to liability for the conduct of others or for our actions that were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time these actions were taken. In addition, these laws may require significant expenditures to achieve compliance, and are frequently modified or revised to impose new obligations. Civil and criminal fines and penalties may be imposed for non-compliance with these environmental laws and regulations. Our operations that involve hazardous materials also raise potential risks of liability under the common law.
Environmental operating permits are, or may be, required for our operations under these laws and regulations. These operating permits are subject to modification, renewal and revocation. We regularly monitor and review our operations, procedures and policies for compliance with these laws and regulations. Despite these compliance efforts, risk of environmental liability is inherent in the operation of our businesses, as it is with other companies engaged in similar businesses. We believe that our operations and facilities are in substantial compliance with applicable laws and regulations and that any noncompliance is not likely to have a material adverse effect on our operations or financial condition.
Future events, such as changes in or modified interpretations of existing laws and regulations or enforcement policies, or further investigation or evaluation of the potential health hazards of products or business activities, may give rise to additional compliance and other costs that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operations. In addition, we have in the past conducted investigation and remediation activities at properties that we own to address historic contamination. To date, such costs have not been material. Although we believe we have satisfactorily addressed all known material contamination through our remediation activities, there can be no assurance that these activities have addressed all historic contamination. The discovery of historic contamination or the release of hazardous substances into the environment could require us in the future to incur investigative or remedial costs or other liabilities that could be material or that could interfere with the operation of our business.
In addition to environmental laws, the transportation of commodities by railcar raises potential risks in the event of a derailment or other accident. Generally, liability under existing law in the United States for a derailment or other accident depends on the negligence of the party, such as the railroad, the shipper or the manufacturer of the railcar or its components. However, for the shipment of certain hazardous commodities, strict liability concepts may apply.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
The factors described below are the principal risks that could materially adversely affect our operating results and financial condition. Other factors may exist that we do not consider significant based on information that is currently available. In addition, new risks may emerge at any time, and we cannot predict those risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect us.
RISKS RELATED TO THE RAILCAR INDUSTRY
We operate in a highly cyclical industry, and our industry and markets are influenced by factors that are beyond our control, including U.S. economic conditions. In addition, the current weakness in the credit markets may limit our customers’ ability to obtain financing to purchase railcars from us. Such factors could adversely affect demand for our railcar offerings.
Historically, the North American railcar market has been highly cyclical and we expect it to continue to be highly cyclical. During the most recent industry cycle, industry-wide railcar deliveries declined from a peak of 75,704 railcars in 1998 to a low of 17,736 railcars in 2002. During this period, our railcar production declined from approximately 9,000 railcars in 1998 to 4,067 railcars in 2002. Industry-wide railcar deliveries again peaked in 2006 with deliveries of 74,729 before declining to 21,682 in 2009. Our railcar deliveries trended downward from

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18,764 in 2006 to 3,377 in 2009. Our industry and the markets for which we supply railcars are influenced by factors that are beyond our control, including U.S. economic conditions. Downturns in economic conditions could result in lower sales volumes, lower prices for railcars and a loss of profits. The cyclicality of the markets in which we operate may adversely affect our operating results and cash flow. In addition, fluctuations in the demand for our railcars may cause comparisons of our sales and operating results between different fiscal years to be less meaningful as indicators of our future performance.
We depend upon a small number of customers that represent a large percentage of our sales. The loss of any single customer, or a reduction in sales to any such customer, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Since railcars are typically sold pursuant to large, periodic orders, a limited number of customers typically represent a significant percentage of our railcar sales in any given year. Over the last five years, our top five customers in each year based on sales represented, in the aggregate, approximately 33% of our total sales for the five-year period. In 2009, sales to our top three customers accounted for approximately 15%, 15% and 14%, respectively, of our total sales. In 2008, sales to our top three customers accounted for approximately 22%, 21% and 10%, respectively, of our total sales. Although we have long-standing relationships with many of our major customers, the loss of any significant portion of our sales to any major customer, the loss of a single major customer or a material adverse change in the financial condition of any one of our major customers could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results.
The variable purchase patterns of our customers and the timing of completion, delivery and acceptance of customer orders may cause our sales and income from operations to vary substantially each quarter, which will result in significant fluctuations in our quarterly results.
Most of our individual customers do not make purchases every year, since they do not need to replace or replenish their railcar fleets on a yearly basis. Many of our customers place orders for products on an as-needed basis, sometimes only once every few years. As a result, the order levels for railcars, the mix of railcar types ordered and the railcars ordered by any particular customer have varied significantly from quarterly period to quarterly period in the past and may continue to vary significantly in the future. Therefore, our results of operations in any particular quarterly period may be significantly affected by the number of railcars ordered and delivered and product mix of railcars ordered in any given quarterly period. Additionally, because we record the sale of a railcar at the time we complete production, the railcar is accepted by the customer following inspection, the risk for any damage or loss with respect to the railcar passes to the customer and title to the railcar transfers to the customer, and not when the order is taken, the timing of completion, delivery and acceptance of significant customer orders will have a considerable effect on fluctuations in our quarterly results. As a result of these quarterly fluctuations, we believe that comparisons of our sales and operating results between quarterly periods may not be meaningful and, as such, these comparisons should not be relied upon as indicators of our future performance.
We operate in a highly competitive industry and we may be unable to compete successfully against other railcar manufacturers.
We operate in a competitive marketplace and face substantial competition from established competitors in the railcar industry in North America. We have four principal competitors that primarily manufacture railcars for third-party customers. Some of these manufacturers have greater financial and technological resources than us, and they may increase their participation in the railcar segments in which we compete. Railcar purchasers’ sensitivity to price and strong price competition within the industry have historically limited our ability to increase prices. In addition to price, competition is based on product performance and technological innovation, quality, reliability of delivery, customer service and other factors. In particular, technological innovation by any of our existing competitors, or new competitors entering any of the markets in which we do business, could put us at a competitive disadvantage. We may be unable to compete successfully against other railcar manufacturers or retain our market share in our established markets. Increased competition for the sales of our railcar products, particularly our coal-carrying railcars, could result in price reductions, reduced margins and loss of market share, which could negatively affect our prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations.
Further consolidation of the railroad industry may adversely affect our business.
Over the past 12 years, there has been a consolidation of railroad carriers operating in North America. Railroad carriers are large purchasers of railcars and represent a significant portion of our historical customer base. Future

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consolidation of railroad carriers may adversely affect our sales and reduce our income from operations because with fewer railroad carriers, each railroad carrier will have proportionately greater buying power and operating efficiency, which may intensify competition among railcar manufacturers to retain customer relationships with the consolidated railroad carriers and cause our prices to decline.
The potential cost volatility of the raw materials that we use to manufacture railcars, especially aluminum and steel, and delivery delays associated with these raw materials may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
The production of railcars and our operations require substantial amounts of aluminum and steel. The cost of aluminum, steel and all other materials (including scrap metal) used in the production of our railcars represents a significant majority of our direct manufacturing costs. Our business is subject to the risk of price increases and periodic delays in the delivery of aluminum, steel and other materials, all of which are beyond our control. Any fluctuations in the price or availability of aluminum or steel, or any other material used in the production of our railcars, may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, if any of our suppliers were unable to continue its business or were to seek bankruptcy relief, the availability or price of the materials we use could be adversely affected. Deliveries of our materials may also fluctuate depending on supply and demand for the material or governmental regulation relating to the material, including regulation relating to the importation of the material.
Limitations on the supply of wheels and other railcar components could adversely affect our business because they may limit the number of railcars we can manufacture.
We rely upon third-party suppliers for wheels and other components for our railcars. For the year ended December 31, 2004, due to a shortage of wheels and other railcar components, our deliveries were limited to 7,484 railcars, even though we had orders and production capacity to manufacture more railcars. The limited supply of wheels and other railcar components did not impact our deliveries for the years ended December 31, 2005 through 2009. In the future suppliers of railcar components may be unable to meet the short-term or longer-term demand of our industry for wheel and other railcar components. In the event that any of our suppliers of railcar components were to stop or reduce the production of wheels or the other railcar components that we use, go out of business, refuse to continue their business relationships with us or become subject to work stoppages, our business would be disrupted. We have in the past experienced challenges sourcing these railcar components to meet our increasing production requirements. Our ability to increase our railcar production to expand our business and/or meet any increase in demand, with new or additional manufacturing capabilities, depends on our ability to obtain an adequate supply of these railcar components. While we believe that we could secure alternative sources for these components, we may incur substantial delays and significant expense in doing so, the quality and reliability of these alternative sources may not be the same and our operating results may be significantly affected. In an effort to secure a supply of wheels, we have developed foreign sources that require deposits on some occasions. In the event of a material adverse business condition, such deposits may be forfeited. In addition, if one of our competitors entered into a preferred supply arrangement with, or was otherwise favored by, a particular supplier, we would be at a competitive disadvantage, which could negatively affect our operating results. Furthermore, alternative suppliers might charge significantly higher prices for wheels or other railcar components than we currently pay. Under such circumstances, the disruption to our business could have a material adverse impact on our customer relationships, financial condition and operating results.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
The weak global economy and tight credit markets may continue to adversely affect our business.
The slowdown in the global economy likely has contributed to a near-term decline in the Company’s sales levels. The uncertainty surrounding the duration and severity of the current economic conditions makes it difficult for us to predict the full impact of this slowdown on our business, results of operations and cash flows. While the financial condition of many of our customers, including railroad and utility companies, remains generally stable, certain of our customers may face financial difficulties, the unavailability of or reduction in commercial credit, or both, that may result in decreased sales for the Company. The weakness in the global economy also may adversely affect key suppliers of the Company, negatively impacting our ability to secure adequate materials for our manufacture of railcars on a timely basis.

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While the Company currently does not have any borrowings outstanding under its two revolving credit facilities, the availability of credit under these facilities positively contributes to the Company’s liquidity position. The continuation of severe economic conditions may adversely affect the financial institutions that participate in our credit facilities, which could limit their ability to lend if the Company were to seek to borrow under its current arrangements.
We rely significantly on the sales of our coal-carrying railcars. Future demand for coal could decrease, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Coal-carrying railcars are our primary railcar type, representing 92% and 89% of our sales revenues in 2009 and 2008, respectively, and 92% of the total railcars that we delivered in both 2009 and 2008. Fluctuations in the price of coal relative to other energy sources may cause utility companies, which are significant customers of our coal-carrying railcar lines, to select an alternative energy source to coal, thereby reducing the strength of the market for coal-carrying railcars. For example, if utility companies were to begin preferring natural gas instead of coal as an energy source, demand for our coal-carrying railcar lines would decrease and our operating results may be negatively affected.
The U.S. federal and state governments may adopt new legislation and/or regulations, or judicial or administrative interpretations of existing laws and regulations, that materially adversely affect the coal industry and/or our customers’ ability to use coal or to continue to use coal at present rates. Such legislation or proposed legislation and/or regulations may include proposals for more stringent protections of the environment that would further regulate and tax the coal industry. This legislation could significantly reduce demand for coal, adversely affect the demand for our coal-carrying railcars and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We rely upon a single supplier to supply us with all of our cold-rolled center sills for our railcars, and any disruption of our relationship with this supplier could adversely affect our business.
We rely upon a single supplier to manufacture all of our cold-rolled center sills for our railcars, which are based upon our proprietary and patented process. A center sill is the primary longitudinal structural component of a railcar, which helps the railcar withstand the weight of the cargo and the force of being pulled during transport. Our center sill is formed into its final shape without heating by passing steel plate through a series of rollers. Substantially all of the railcars that we produced in 2009 and 2008 were manufactured using this cold-rolled center sill. Although we have a good relationship with our supplier and have not experienced any significant delays, manufacturing shortages or failures to meet our quality requirements and production specifications in the past, our supplier could stop production of our cold-rolled center sills, go out of business, refuse to continue its business relationship with us or become subject to work stoppages. While we believe that we could secure alternative manufacturing sources, our present supplier is currently the only manufacturer of our cold-rolled center sills for our railcars. We may incur substantial delays and significant expense in finding an alternative source, our results of operations may be significantly affected and the quality and reliability of these alternative sources may not be the same. Moreover, alternative suppliers might charge significantly higher prices for our cold-rolled center sills than we currently pay. The prices for our cold-rolled center sills may also be impacted by the rising cost of steel and all other materials used in the production of our cold-rolled center sills. Under such circumstances, the disruption to our business may have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Equipment failures, delays in deliveries or extensive damage to our facilities could lead to production or service curtailments or shutdowns.
We have production facilities in Danville, Illinois and Roanoke, Virginia. An interruption in production capabilities at these facilities, as a result of equipment failure or other reasons, could reduce or prevent the production of our railcars. A halt of production at any of our manufacturing facilities could severely affect delivery times to our customers. Any significant delay in deliveries to our customers could result in the termination of contracts, cause us to lose future sales and negatively affect our reputation among our customers and in the railcar industry and our results of operations. Our facilities are also subject to the risk of catastrophic loss due to unanticipated events, such as fires, explosions, floods or weather conditions. We may experience plant shutdowns or periods of reduced production as a result of equipment failures, delays in deliveries or extensive damage to any of our facilities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

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An increase in health care costs could adversely affect our results of operations.
The cost of health care benefits in the United States has increased significantly, leading to higher costs for us to provide health care benefits to our active and retired employees, and we expect these costs to increase in the future. If these costs continue to rise, our results of operations will be adversely affected. During the term of our existing union agreements we are unable to limit our costs by changing or eliminating coverage under our employee benefit plans because a significant majority of our employee benefits are governed these agreements. For example, as of December 31, 2009, our postretirement benefit obligation was $63.3 million, all of which is unfunded. Although the Johnstown settlement during 2003 limits our future liabilities for health care coverage for our retired unionized Johnstown employees, we will continue to be impacted by the health care cost increases of our active employees. If our costs under our employee benefit plans for active employees exceed our projections, our business and financial results could be materially adversely affected.
Our pension obligations are currently underfunded. We may have to make significant cash payments to our pension plans, which would reduce the cash available for our business.
As of December 31, 2009, our accumulated benefit obligation under our defined benefit pension plans exceeded the fair value of plan assets by $15.5 million. The underfunding was caused, in part, by fluctuations in the financial markets that have caused the valuation of the assets in our defined benefit pension plans to decrease. Further, additional benefit obligations were added to our existing defined benefit pension plans in 2007, 2008 and 2009 as a result of plan curtailment and special termination benefit costs (as described in Note 3 and Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). We made contributions to our pension plans of $12.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2009. Management expects that any future obligations under our pension plans that are not currently funded will be funded from our future cash flow from operations. If our contributions to our pension plans are insufficient to fund the pension plans adequately to cover our future pension obligations, the performance of the assets in our pension plans does not meet our expectations or other actuarial assumptions are modified, our contributions to our pension plans could be materially higher than we expect, which would reduce the cash available for our business.
The level of our reported backlog may not necessarily indicate what our future sales will be and our actual sales may fall short of the estimated sales value attributed to our backlog.
We define backlog as the sales value of products or services to which our customers have committed in writing to purchase from us, that have not been recognized as sales. In this annual report on Form 10-K, we have disclosed our backlog, or the number of railcars for which we have purchase orders, in various periods and the estimated sales value (in dollars) that would be attributable to this backlog once the backlog is converted to actual sales. We consider backlog to be an indicator of future sales of railcars. However, our reported backlog may not be converted into sales in any particular period, if at all, and the actual sales (including any compensation for lost profits and reimbursement for costs) from such contracts may not equal our reported estimates of backlog value. For example, we rely on third-party suppliers for heavy castings, wheels and components for our railcars and if these third parties were to stop or reduce their supply of heavy castings, wheels and other components, our actual sales could fall short of the estimated sales value attributed to our backlog. Also, customer orders may be subject to cancellation, inspection rights and other customary industry terms, and delivery dates may be subject to delay, thereby extending the date on which we will deliver the associated railcars and realize revenues attributable to such railcar backlog. Furthermore, any contract included in our reported backlog that actually generates sales may not be profitable. Therefore, our current level of reported backlog may not necessarily represent the level of sales that we may generate in any future period.
As a public company, we are required to comply with the reporting obligations of the Exchange Act and Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. If we fail to comply with the reporting obligations of the Exchange Act and Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or if we fail to maintain adequate internal controls over financial reporting, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
As a public company, we are required to comply with the periodic reporting obligations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including preparing annual reports and quarterly reports. Our failure to prepare and disclose this information in a timely manner could subject us to penalties under federal securities laws, expose us to lawsuits and restrict our ability to access financing. In addition, we are required under applicable law and regulations to design and implement internal controls over financial reporting, and evaluate our existing

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internal controls with respect to the standards adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. On July 29, 2009 our management identified control deficiencies that existed as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 that constituted material weaknesses and resulted in material errors and the restatement of the Company’s audited annual financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 and unaudited interim financial statements as of and for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2009, September 30, 2008, June 30, 2008 and March 31, 2008. Although we have implemented measures that have remediated the material weaknesses, we cannot assure you that we will not identify additional control deficiencies that may constitute significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in our internal controls in the future. As a result, we may be required to implement further remedial measures and to design enhanced processes and controls to address issues identified through future reviews. This could result in significant delays and costs to us and require us to divert substantial resources, including management time, from other activities.
If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls in the future, we may not be able to ensure that we can conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Moreover, effective internal controls are necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports and are important to help prevent fraud. As a result, any failure to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 on a timely basis could result in the loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which in turn could harm our business and negatively impact the trading price of our common stock.
We recently implemented a new enterprise-wide financial reporting system which may cause operating or reporting disruptions.
In 2008, the Company initiated the implementation of an enterprise-wide financial reporting system to improve processes, enhance the access and timeliness of critical business information and strengthen controls throughout the Company. The Company’s new enterprise-wide financial reporting system went live on August 1, 2009. Many companies have experienced operating or reporting disruptions when converting to a new ERP system, including limitations on a company’s ability to deliver and bill for customer shipments, maintain current and complete books and records, and meet external reporting deadlines. While we have not had any significant operating or reporting disruptions to our business to date from the conversion, and do not currently anticipate any, any major difficulty in using the new reporting system could negatively impact the Company’s business, results of operations and cash flows.
If we lose key personnel, our operations and ability to manage the day-to-day aspects of our business will be adversely affected.
We believe our success depends to a significant degree upon the continued contributions of our executive officers and key employees, both individually and as a group. Our future performance will substantially depend on our ability to retain and motivate them. If we lose key personnel or are unable to recruit qualified personnel, our ability to manage the day-to-day aspects of our business will be adversely affected.
The loss of the services of one or more members of our senior management team could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Because our senior management team has many years of experience in the railcar industry and other manufacturing and capital equipment industries, it would be difficult to replace any of them without adversely affecting our business operations. Our future success will also depend in part upon our continuing ability to attract and retain highly qualified personnel. We do not currently maintain “key person” life insurance.
Labor disputes could disrupt our operations and divert the attention of our management and may have a material adverse effect on our operations and profitability.
As of December 31, 2009, we had collective bargaining agreements with unions representing approximately 31% of our total active labor force.

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Disputes with the unions representing our employees could result in strikes or other labor protests which could disrupt our operations and divert the attention of management from operating our business. If we were to experience a strike or work stoppage, it could be difficult for us to find a sufficient number of employees with the necessary skills to replace these employees. Any such labor disputes could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Shortages of skilled labor may adversely impact our operations.
We depend on skilled labor in the manufacture of railcars. Some of our facilities are located in areas where demand for skilled laborers often exceeds supply. Shortages of some types of skilled laborers may restrict our ability to increase production rates and could cause our labor costs to increase.
Lack of acceptance of our new railcar offerings by our customers could adversely affect our business.
Our strategy depends in part on our continued development and sale of new railcar designs and design changes to existing railcars to penetrate railcar markets in which we currently do not compete and to expand or maintain our market share in the railcar markets in which we currently compete. We have dedicated significant resources to the development, manufacturing and marketing of new railcar designs. We typically make decisions to develop and market new railcars and railcars with modified designs without firm indications of customer acceptance. New or modified railcar designs may require customers to alter their existing business methods or threaten to displace existing equipment in which our customers may have a substantial capital investment. Many railcar purchasers prefer to maintain a standardized fleet of railcars and railcar purchasers with established railcar fleets are generally resistant to railcar design changes. Therefore, any new or modified railcar designs that we develop may not gain widespread acceptance in the marketplace and any such products may not be able to compete successfully with existing railcar designs or new railcar designs that may be introduced by our competitors.
Our production of new railcar product lines may not be initially profitable and may result in financial losses.
When we begin production of a new railcar product line, we usually anticipate that our initial costs of production will be higher due to initial labor and operating inefficiencies associated with new manufacturing processes. Due to pricing pressures in our industry, the pricing for the new railcars in customer contracts usually does not reflect the initial additional costs, and our costs of production may exceed the anticipated revenues until we are able to gain labor efficiencies. For example, in 2005, we had losses of $1.5 million relating to our contract for the manufacture of box railcars, a type of railcar that we had not manufactured in the past. To the extent that the total costs of production significantly exceed our anticipated costs of production, we may be unable to gain any profit from our sale of the railcars or we may incur a loss.
We may pursue acquisitions that involve inherent risks, any of which may cause us not to realize anticipated benefits.
Our business strategy includes the potential acquisition of businesses and entering into joint ventures and other business combinations that we expect would complement and expand our existing products and services and the markets where we sell our products and services and improve our market position. We may not be able to successfully identify suitable acquisition or joint venture opportunities or complete any particular acquisition, combination, joint venture or other transaction on acceptable terms. We cannot predict the timing and success of our efforts to acquire any particular business and integrate the acquired business into our existing operations. Also, efforts to acquire other businesses or the implementation of other elements of this business strategy may divert managerial resources away from our business operations. In addition, our ability to engage in strategic acquisitions may depend on our ability to raise substantial capital and we may not be able to raise the funds necessary to implement our acquisition strategy on terms satisfactory to us, if at all. Our failure to identify suitable acquisition or joint venture opportunities may restrict our ability to grow our business. In addition, we may not be able to successfully integrate businesses that we acquire in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

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We might fail to adequately protect our intellectual property, which may result in our loss of market share, or third parties might assert that our intellectual property infringes on their intellectual property, which would be costly to defend and divert the attention of our management.
The protection of our intellectual property is important to our business. We rely on a combination of trademarks, copyrights, patents and trade secrets to protect our intellectual property. However, these protections might be inadequate. For example, we have patents for portions of our railcar designs that are important to our market leadership in the coal-carrying railcar segment. Our pending or future trademark, copyright and patent applications might not be approved or, if allowed, might not be sufficiently broad. Conversely, third parties might assert that our technologies or other intellectual property infringe on their proprietary rights. In either case, litigation may result, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of our and our management team’s efforts. Regardless of whether we are ultimately successful in any litigation, such litigation could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We are subject to a variety of environmental laws and regulations and the cost of complying with environmental requirements or any failure by us to comply with such requirements may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to a variety of federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations, including those governing air quality and the handling, disposal and remediation of waste products, fuel products and hazardous substances. Although we believe that we are in material compliance with all of the various regulations and permits applicable to our business, we may not at all times be in compliance with such requirements. The cost of complying with environmental requirements may also increase substantially in future years. If we violate or fail to comply with these regulations, we could be fined or otherwise sanctioned by regulators. In addition, these requirements are complex, change frequently and may become more stringent over time, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. We have in the past conducted investigation and remediation activities at properties that we own to address historic contamination. However, there can be no assurance that these remediation activities have addressed all historic contamination. Environmental liabilities that we incur, including those relating to the off-site disposal of our wastes, if not covered by adequate insurance or indemnification, will increase our costs and have a negative impact on our profitability.
Our warranties may expose us to potentially significant claims, which may damage our reputation and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We warrant the workmanship and materials of many of our manufactured new products under limited warranties, generally for periods of five years or less. Accordingly, we may be subject to a risk of product liability or warranty claims in the event that the failure of any of our products results in personal injury or death, or does not conform to our customers’ specifications. Although we currently maintain product liability insurance coverage, product liability claims, if made, may exceed our insurance coverage limits or insurance may not continue to be available on commercially acceptable terms, if at all. We have never experienced any material losses attributable to warranty claims, but it is possible for these types of warranty claims to result in costly product recalls, significant repair costs and damage to our reputation, all of which would adversely affect our results of operations.
The agreements governing our revolving credit facilities contain various covenants that, among other things, limit our discretion in operating our business and provide for certain minimum financial requirements.
The agreements governing our revolving credit facilities contain various covenants that, among other things, limit our management’s discretion by restricting our ability to incur additional debt, redeem our capital stock, enter into certain transactions with affiliates, pay dividends and make other distributions, make investments and other restricted payments and create liens. Our failure to comply with the financial covenants set forth above and other covenants under our revolving credit facilities could lead to an event of default under the agreements governing any other indebtedness that we may have outstanding at the time, permitting the lenders to accelerate all borrowings under such agreements and to foreclose on any collateral. In addition, any such events may make it more difficult or costly for us to borrow additional funds in the future.

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To the extent we expand our sales of products and services internationally, we will increase our exposure to international economic and political risks.
Conducting business outside the United States, for example through our joint venture in India and our sales to South America, subjects us to various risks, including changing economic, legal and political conditions, work stoppages, exchange controls, currency fluctuations, terrorist activities directed at U.S. companies, armed conflicts and unexpected changes in the United States and the laws of other countries relating to tariffs, trade restrictions, transportation regulations, foreign investments and taxation. If we fail to obtain and maintain certifications of our railcars and railcar parts in the various countries where we may operate, we may be unable to market and sell our railcars in those countries.
In addition, unexpected changes in regulatory requirements, tariffs and other trade barriers, more stringent rules relating to labor or the environment, adverse tax consequences and price exchange controls could limit our operations and make the manufacture and distribution of our products internationally more difficult. Furthermore, any material changes in the quotas, regulations or duties on imports imposed by the U.S. government and agencies or on exports by non-U.S. governments and their respective agencies could affect our ability to export the railcars that we manufacture in the United States. The uncertainty of the legal environment could limit our ability to enforce our rights effectively.
The market price of our securities may fluctuate significantly, which may make it difficult for stockholders to sell shares of our common stock when desired or at attractive prices.
Since our initial public offering in April 2005 until February 22, 2010, the trading price of our common stock ranged from a low of $14.05 per share to a high of $78.34 per share. The price for our common stock may fluctuate in response to a number of events and factors, such as quarterly variations in operating results and our reported backlog, the cyclical nature of the railcar market, announcements of new products by us or our competitors, changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts, the operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors may deem comparable to us, and news reports relating to trends in our markets or general economic conditions. Additionally, volatility or a lack of positive performance in our stock price may adversely affect our ability to retain key employees, all of whom have been granted stock options or other stock awards.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
Item 2. Properties.
We own a railcar production facility in Danville, Illinois and we lease a railcar production facility in Roanoke, Virginia. The following table presents information on our leased and owned operating properties as of December 31, 2009:
                 
            Leased or   Lease
Use   Location   Size   Owned   Expiration Date
Corporate headquarters
  Chicago, Illinois   8,574 square feet   Leased   September 30, 2013
 
               
Railcar assembly and component manufacturing
  Danville, Illinois   308,665 square feet on 36.5 acres of land   Owned  
 
               
Railcar assembly and component Manufacturing
  Roanoke, Virginia   383,709 square feet on 15.5 acres of land   Leased   November 30, 2014
 
               
Administrative
  Johnstown, Pennsylvania   29,500 square feet on 1.02 acres of land   Owned  
 
               
Parts warehouse
  Johnstown, Pennsylvania   86,000 square feet   Leased   December 31, 2016

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As of December 31, 2009, our facility in Danville, Illinois operated one daily shift. In response to reduced industry demand for railcars over the short-term, our facility in Roanoke, Virginia ceased production of new railcars in July 2009. We expect to resume production of new railcars at our Roanoke facility in the future as industry demand improves.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
On September 29, 2008, Bral Corporation, a supplier of certain railcar parts to us, filed a complaint against us in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania (the “Pennsylvania Lawsuit”). The complaint alleges that we breached an exclusive supply agreement with Bral by purchasing parts from CMN Components, Inc. (“CMN”). On December 14, 2007, Bral sued CMN in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleging among other things that CMN interfered in the business relationship between Bral and us (the “Illinois Lawsuit”). On October 22, 2008, we entered into an Assignment of Claims Agreement with CMN under which CMN assigned to us its counterclaims against Bral in the Illinois Lawsuit and we agreed to defend and indemnify CMN against Bral’s claims in that lawsuit. The parties have been conducting coordinated discovery in both matters. While the ultimate outcomes of the Pennsylvania Lawsuit and the Illinois Lawsuit cannot be determined at this time, it is the opinion of management that the resolution of these lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
In addition to the foregoing, we are involved in certain other threatened and pending legal proceedings, including commercial disputes and workers’ compensation and employee matters arising out of the conduct of our business. While the ultimate outcome of these other legal proceedings cannot be determined at this time, it is the opinion of management that the resolution of these other actions will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Our common stock has been quoted on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “RAIL” since April 6, 2005. Prior to that time, there was no public market for our common stock. As of February 22, 2010, there were approximately 39 holders of record of our common stock, which does not include persons whose shares of common stock are held by a bank, brokerage house or clearing agency. The following table sets forth quarterly high and low closing prices of our common stock since April 6, 2005, as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market.

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    Common stock price  
    High     Low  
2009
               
Fourth quarter
  $ 26.91     $ 18.10  
Third quarter
  $ 25.54     $ 16.26  
Second quarter
  $ 20.24     $ 15.38  
First quarter
  $ 21.63     $ 14.52  
 
               
2008
               
Fourth quarter
  $ 28.39     $ 17.01  
Third quarter
  $ 39.16     $ 27.94  
Second quarter
  $ 44.63     $ 33.56  
First quarter
  $ 41.88     $ 28.86  
 
               
2007
               
Fourth quarter
  $ 43.20     $ 32.29  
Third quarter
  $ 54.60     $ 38.20  
Second quarter
  $ 51.80     $ 45.14  
First quarter
  $ 58.87     $ 46.85  
 
               
2006
               
Fourth quarter
  $ 57.07     $ 48.79  
Third quarter
  $ 60.05     $ 45.10  
Second quarter
  $ 76.57     $ 46.60  
First quarter
  $ 72.10     $ 47.06  
 
               
2005
               
Fourth quarter
  $ 49.55     $ 35.45  
Third quarter
  $ 40.87     $ 19.01  
Second quarter (from April 6, 2005)
  $ 22.00     $ 17.55  
Dividend Policy
Prior to September 2005, our board of directors had never declared any cash dividends on our common stock. Beginning in September 2005, we paid a recurring quarterly cash dividend of $0.03 per share of common stock. In November 2006, the quarterly cash dividend increased to $0.06 per share of common stock.
Our declaration and payment of future dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, general economic and business conditions, our strategic plans, our financial results, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends by us and our subsidiaries and such other factors as our board of directors considers to be relevant.
Our revolving credit agreements contain covenants that limit our ability to pay dividends to holders of our common stock except under certain circumstances. Additionally, the ability of our board of directors to declare a dividend on our common stock is limited by Delaware law.

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Performance Graph
The following performance graph and related information shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into such filing.
The following graph illustrates the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock during the period from April 6, 2005, which is the date our common stock was initially listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, through December 31, 2009 and compares it with the cumulative total return on the NASDAQ Composite Index and DJ Transportation Index. The comparison assumes $100 was invested on April 6, 2005 in our common stock and in each of the foregoing indices and assumes reinvestment of dividends, if any. The performance shown is not necessarily indicative of future performance.
                                                                                         
    April 6,     June 30,     Dec. 31,     June 30,     Dec. 31,     June 30,     Dec. 31,     June. 30,     Dec. 31,     June. 30,     Dec. 31,  
    2005     2005     2005     2006     2006     2007     2007     2008     2008     2009     2009  
FreightCar America, Inc.
  $ 100.00     $ 94.29     $ 228.96     $ 264.59     $ 264.72     $ 228.94     $ 168.02     $ 170.94     $ 88.44     $ 81.94     $ 97.26  
Nasdaq Composite Index
  $ 100.00     $ 103.48     $ 111.17     $ 110.07     $ 122.69     $ 132.37     $ 135.63     $ 117.71     $ 81.34     $ 95.16     $ 118.20  
DJ Transportation Index
  $ 100.00     $ 94.18     $ 113.89     $ 134.45     $ 125.08     $ 140.62     $ 126.87     $ 138.23     $ 99.71     $ 92.39     $ 118.26  
(LINE GRAPH)

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
The selected financial data presented for each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 2009 was derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 7 and Item 8, respectively, of this annual report on Form 10-K.
                                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
    (in thousands, except share and per share data and railcar amounts)  
Statements of operations data:
                                       
Revenues
  $ 248,462     $ 746,390     $ 817,025     $ 1,444,800     $ 927,187  
Cost of sales
    211,940       679,597       712,124       1,211,349       820,638  
 
                             
Gross profit
    36,522       66,793       104,901       233,451       106,549  
Selling, general and administrative expense
    31,316       31,717       38,914       34,390       28,461  
Plant closure charges (income)(3)
    (495 )     20,037       30,836              
 
                             
Operating income
    5,701       15,039       35,151       199,061       78,088  
Interest income
    124       3,827       8,349       5,860       1,225  
Interest expense
    523       396       420       352       11,082  
Amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs
    270       281       232       306       776  
 
                             
Income before income taxes
    5,032       18,189       42,848       204,263       67,455  
Income tax provision
    248       6,769       15,389       75,530       21,762  
 
                             
Net income
    4,784       11,420       27,459       128,733       45,693  
Redeemable preferred stock dividends accumulated
                            311  
 
                             
Net income attributable to common stockholders
    4,784       11,420       27,459       128,733       45,382  
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in India JV
    (156 )                        
 
                             
Net income attributable to FreightCar America
  $ 4,940     $ 11,420     $ 27,459     $ 128,733     $ 45,382  
 
                             
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic
    11,861,366       11,788,400       12,115,712       12,586,889       11,135,440  
Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted
    11,870,350       11,833,132       12,188,901       12,785,015       11,234,075  
 
                                       
Per share data:
                                       
Net income per common share attributable to FreightCar America – basic
  $ 0.42     $ 0.97     $ 2.27     $ 10.23     $ 4.08  
 
                             
 
                                       
Net income per share common attributable to FreightCar America – diluted
  $ 0.42     $ 0.97     $ 2.25     $ 10.07     $ 4.04  
 
                             
 
                                       
Dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.24     $ 0.24     $ 0.24     $ 0.15     $ 0.06  
 
                             
 
                                       
Other financial and operating data:
                                       
Capital expenditures, including railcars on operating leases produced or acquired
  $ 19,920     $ 42,192     $ 6,073     $ 6,903     $ 7,520  
Railcars delivered
    3,377       10,276       10,282       18,764       13,031  
Railcar orders
    1,218       7,301       6,366       7,350       22,363  
Railcar backlog
    265       2,424       5,399       9,315       20,729  
Estimated backlog
  $ 24,839     $ 183,441     $ 422,054     $ 697,054     $ 1,412,424  
 
                                       
Balance sheet data (at period end):
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 98,015     $ 129,192     $ 197,042     $ 212,026     $ 61,737  
Restricted cash(1)
    1,420                          
Total assets
    335,566       383,293       354,119       419,981       225,282  
Total debt(2)
          28       93       154       224  
Total redeemable preferred stock
                             
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)
    206,253       204,826       199,063       203,869       92,199  
 
(1)   During 2009 we established restricted cash balances in lieu of standby letters of credit for purchase price payment guarantees and performance guarantees. The restrictions expire upon our delivery of certain railcars to customers.
 
(2)   Our total debt includes current maturities of long-term debt and our variable rate demand industrial revenue bonds due 2010, which are classified as short-term debt. We repaid all of our debt that existed prior to the initial public offering with the net proceeds of the initial public offering and available cash.
 
(3)   For the year ended December 31, 2007, we recorded plant closure charges of $30.8 million relating to the planned closure of our Johnstown facility, which included curtailment and special termination benefits for our pension and postretirement benefit plans of $27.7 million, one-time employee termination benefits of $2.2 million and fixed asset impairment charges of $950,000. For the year ended December 31, 2008, we recorded additional plant closure charges of $20.0 million, which included special termination benefits for our pension and postretirement benefit plans of $19.0 million, and other related costs of $1.1 million. Plant closure income for the year ended December 31, 2009 represents insurance recoveries and adjustments to employment termination benefits. See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
OVERVIEW
You should read the following discussion in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current expectations, estimates and projections about our business and operations. Our actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated and expressed in such forward-looking statements. See “ — Forward-Looking Statements.”
We are the leading manufacturer of aluminum-bodied railcars and coal-carrying railcars in North America, based on the number of railcars delivered. We also refurbish and rebuild railcars and sell forged, cast and fabricated parts for the railcars we produce, as well as those manufactured by others. Our primary customers are financial institutions, shippers and railroads.
Our manufacturing facilities are located in Danville, Illinois and Roanoke, Virginia. Each of our manufacturing facilities has the capability to manufacture a variety of types of railcars.
Railcar deliveries totaled 3,377 units for the year ended December 31, 2009, including delivery of 2,297 cars sold and delivery of 1,080 cars leased, compared to 10,276 units in the same period of 2008. Our total backlog of firm orders for railcars decreased by approximately 89%, from 2,424 railcars as of December 31, 2008 to 265 railcars as of December 31, 2009. Our backlog at December 31, 2009, included 60 units under firm operating leases with independent third parties. Subsequent to December 31, 2009 the Company received additional orders for more than 3,000 new railcars to be manufactured and delivered over the course of 2010 and 2011.
Prices for steel and aluminum, the primary raw material components of our railcars, and surcharges on steel and railcar components were at historically high levels for the first half of 2008 and since then prices have dropped significantly. Substantially all of the contracts covering our current backlog are fixed-rate contracts. Therefore, if material costs were to increase, we may not be able to pass on these increased costs to our customers.
The North American railcar market is highly cyclical and the trends in the railcar industry are closely related to the overall level of economic activity. We expect railroads and utilities to continue to upgrade their fleets of aging steel-bodied coal-carrying railcars to lighter and more durable aluminum-bodied coal-carrying railcars. Despite the decline in our backlog, we believe that the long-term outlook for railcar demand is positive, due to increased rail traffic and the replacement of aging railcar fleets. We also believe that the long-term outlook for our business, including the demand for our coal-carrying railcars, is positive, based on the historic cyclicality of the industry, our expanding product portfolio, our operational efficiency in manufacturing railcars and our international opportunities. However, U.S. economic conditions may not result in a sustained economic recovery, and our business is subject to these and significant other risks that may cause our current positive outlook to change. See Item 1A. “Risk Factors.”
In May 2008, we closed our manufacturing facility located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. This action was taken to further our strategy of optimizing production at our low-cost facilities and continuing our focus on cost control. We had entered into decisional bargaining with the USWA, but did not reach an agreement with the USWA that would have allowed us to continue to operate the facility in a cost-effective way. In December 2007, we recorded plant closure charges of $30.8 million related to these actions.
On June 24, 2008, we announced a tentative global settlement that upon ratification by the Johnstown USWA membership and approval by the court resolved all legal disputes relating to the Johnstown facility and its workforce, including the Sowers/Hayden class action litigation, contested arbitration ruling and other pending grievance proceedings. The time for an appeal of the court’s order has now run out and the settlement has expired. During 2008 we recorded $20.0 million in plant closure charges related to these actions. The total plant closure charges recognized in 2007 and 2008 were primarily related to our pension and postretirement benefit plans.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, management, after a thorough evaluation of the Company’s current information technology systems and its future needs, determined to upgrade the Company’s existing information technology system to a fully integrated ERP system to be provided by Oracle Corporation. The Company’s new enterprise-wide financial system went live on August 1, 2009. In addition to the implementation of the ERP system and in connection with the restatement of our consolidated financial statements for the years ended

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December 31, 2008 and 2007, there have been changes in our internal control over financial reporting as more fully described in Item 9A of this annual report on Form 10-K.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION
Revenues
Our revenues are generated primarily from sales of the railcars that we manufacture. Our sales depend on industry demand for new railcars, which is driven by overall economic conditions and the demand for railcar transportation of various products, primarily coal but also other products such as motor vehicles, steel products, forest products, minerals, cement and agricultural commodities. Our sales are also affected by competitive market pressures that impact the prices for our railcars and by the types of railcars sold. Revenues for 2009 also include lease payments received from railcars under operating leases to the same customer base to which we sell railcars.
We generally manufacture railcars under firm orders from our customers. We recognize sales, which we sometimes refer to as deliveries, of new and rebuilt railcars when we complete the individual railcars, the railcars are accepted by the customer following inspection, the risk of any damage or other loss with respect to the railcars passes to the customer and title to the railcars transfers to the customer. Deliveries include new, used and repair/refurbished cars sold and cars contracted under operating leases in that period. With respect to sales transactions involving the trading-in of used railcars, in accordance with accounting rules, we recognize sales for the entire transaction when the cash consideration received is in excess of 25% of the total transaction value and on a pro rata portion of the total transaction value when the cash consideration received is less than 25% of the total transaction value. We value used railcars received at their estimated fair market value. The variable purchase patterns of our customers and the timing of completion, delivery and acceptance of customer orders may cause our sales and income from operations to vary substantially each quarter, which will result in significant fluctuations in our quarterly results.
Cost of sales
Our cost of sales includes the cost of raw materials such as aluminum and steel, as well as the cost of finished railcar components, such as castings, wheels, truck components and couplers, and other specialty components. Our cost of sales also includes labor, utilities, freight, manufacturing depreciation and other manufacturing overhead costs. Factors that have affected our cost of sales include the recent volatility in the cost of steel and aluminum, our closure of our Johnstown, Pennsylvania facility and our efforts to continually reduce manufacturing costs at our other manufacturing facilities.
Prices for steel and aluminum, the primary raw material components of our railcars, and surcharges on steel and railcar components were at historically high levels for the first half of 2008 and since then prices have dropped significantly. Substantially all of the contracts covering our current backlog are fixed-rate contracts. Therefore, if material costs were to increase, we may not be able to pass on these increased costs to our customers.
Operating income
Operating income represents total sales less cost of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses, compensation expense under stock option and restricted share award agreements and plant closure charges.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended December 31, 2009 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2008
Revenues
Our sales for the year ended December 31, 2009 were $248.5 million as compared to $746.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 while railcar deliveries of 3,377 were 6,899 units below the 2008 level. Railcar deliveries for the year ended December 31, 2009 included delivery of 2,297 cars sold and delivery of 1,080 cars leased. Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009 included $3.9 million generated from contract termination fees resulting from a customer’s reduction of a sales order. The decrease in sales revenue for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008 levels was due primarily to lower sales of coal-carrying cars driven by reduced industry demand. Coal loadings in 2009 have significantly decreased from 2008 levels, and the number of railcars in storage

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remains high. Recession-driven reductions in demand for electricity, ample utility stockpiles, lower production and decelerating export activity contributed to the decline in coal activity during 2009.
Gross Profit
Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $36.5 million as compared to $66.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, representing a decrease of $30.3 million. The corresponding margin rate was 14.7% for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 8.9% for the year ended December 31, 2008. The change in margin rate was driven primarily by a favorable product mix. The contract termination fee of $3.9 million also contributed to the margin rate improvement for 2009.
Selling, General and Administrative Expense
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2009 were $31.3 million as compared to $31.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, representing a decrease of $0.4 million. We took significant actions in 2009 to reduce selling, general and administrative expenses, however those reductions were partially offset by increases for severance costs of $3.1 million, costs associated with the restatement of our financial statements of $1.0 million, costs associated with the suspension or our salaried pension plan of $0.8 million and expenses associated with the implementation of our ERP system of $0.4 million.
Plant Closure Charges
Plant closure income for the year ended December 31, 2009 represent insurance recoveries and accrual adjustments related to employee termination benefits. Plant closure charges for the year ended December 31, 2008 represent the incremental costs associated with our decision, in December 2007, to close our Johnstown, Pennsylvania manufacturing facility and included charges arising under our pension and postretirement benefit plans as well as employment termination and related closure costs. See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.
Interest Expense/Income
Total interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $0.8 million compared to $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. Interest expense consisted of commitment fees on our credit facilities and the amortization of deferred financing costs. Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $0.1 million compared to $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, representing a decrease of $3.7 million as interest rates decreased compared to 2008 levels.
Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes was $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to a provision for income taxes of $6.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, were 4.9% and 37.2%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2009 was lower than the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate of 35% due to a decrease of 13.9% resulting from a change in the blended state rate, a decrease of 12.1% for tax deductible goodwill, a decrease of 8.7% for the impact of the rate change on deferred taxes, an increase of 3.2% caused by a change in the valuation allowance, an increase of 0.7% for nondeductible expenses and an increase of 0.7% for the effect of other differences. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2008 was higher than the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate of 35% due to an increase of 7.7% caused by a change in the valuation allowance and an increase of 0.6% for the effect of other differences, partially offset by a decrease of 3.3% for tax deductible goodwill and a decrease of 2.8% due to a change in the blended state rate,. The increase in the valuation allowance for 2008 was primarily due to plant closure charges that caused the Pennsylvania deferred tax assets to increase resulting in a corresponding increase to the valuation allowance.
Net Income
As a result of the foregoing, net income attributable to FreightCar America was $4.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, reflecting a decrease of $6.5 million from net income of $11.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. For 2009, our basic and diluted net income per share were both $0.42, on basic and diluted shares outstanding of 11,861,366 and 11,870,350, respectively. For 2008, our basic and diluted net income per share were both $0.97, on basic and diluted shares outstanding of 11,788,400 and 11,833,132, respectively.

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Year Ended December 31, 2008 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2007
Revenues
Our sales for the year ended December 31, 2008 were $746.4 million as compared to $817.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 while railcar deliveries of 10,276 were 6 units below the 2007 level.
Railcar deliveries for the year ended December 31, 2008 included delivery of 9,022 new cars sold and delivery of 735 leased cars that have not yet been sold as well as delivery of 519 used cars sold. The decrease in sales revenue was due primarily to heightened competition and general market conditions as average railcar pricing declined between 2007 and 2008. This reflects a shift in product mix to car types with different material costs and, more importantly, pricing pressures dictated by softer demand. Our coal-carrying railcars remain an essential part of our portfolio. Deliveries of our BethGon® II and AutoFlood™ III coal-carrying railcars comprised 69% of our total railcar deliveries for the year ended December 31, 2008.
Gross Profit
Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $66.8 million as compared to $104.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, representing a decrease of $38.1 million. The corresponding margin rate was 8.9% for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 12.8% for the year ended December 31, 2007. The margin for 2008 was negatively impacted by material price increases and surcharges that we were unable to pass on to our customers due to fixed price sales contracts and the aggressive pricing environment in which we are operating. For the year ended December 31, 2007, we were able to pass on increases in raw material costs to our customers with respect to 80% of our railcar deliveries.
Selling, General and Administrative Expense
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2008 were $31.7 million as compared to $38.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, representing a decrease of $7.2 million. Selling, general and administrative expenses were 4.3% of our sales for 2008 and 4.8% for 2007. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007 was primarily attributable to reductions in outside professional services of $1.3 million, contingent liabilities of $3.9 million and incentive plan costs of $2.2 million.
Plant Closure Charges
Plant closure charges for the year ended December 31, 2008 represent the incremental costs associated with our decision, in December 2007, to close our Johnstown, Pennsylvania manufacturing facility. As a result of the previously described global settlement, total plant closure costs incurred through December 31, 2008 were $50.9 million. These costs include charges arising under our pension and postretirement benefit plans as well as employment termination and related closure costs. See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.
Interest Expense/Income
Total interest expense for each of the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $0.7 million. Interest expense consisted of third-party interest expense and the amortization of deferred financing costs. Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $3.8 million as compared to $8.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, representing a decrease of $4.5 million as both interest rates and our cash balances decreased compared to 2007 levels.
Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes was $6.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to a provision for income taxes of $15.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, were 37.2% and 35.9%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2008 was higher than the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate of 35% due to a decrease of 3.3% for goodwill, a decrease of 2.8% due to a change in the blended state rate, an increase of 7.7% caused by a change in the

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valuation allowance and an increase of 0.6% for the effect of other differences. The increase in the valuation allowance was primarily due to plant closure charges in 2008 that caused the Pennsylvania deferred tax assets to increase resulting in a corresponding increase to the valuation allowance. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2007 was slightly higher than the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate due to the addition of a 1.9% blended state rate and a 2.8% increase caused by a change in the valuation allowance. These increases were virtually offset by a decrease in the effective rate caused by the domestic manufacturing deduction.
Net Income
As a result of the foregoing, net income attributable to FreightCar America was $11.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, reflecting a decrease of $16.1 million from net income of $27.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. For 2008, our basic and diluted net income per share were both $0.97, on basic and diluted shares outstanding of 11,788,400 and 11,833,132, respectively. For 2007, our basic and diluted net income per share were $2.27 and $2.25, respectively, on basic and diluted shares outstanding of 12,115,712 and 12,188,901, respectively. Net income for both 2008 and 2007 was significantly impacted by plant closure costs, with pre-tax charges of $20.0 million in 2008 and pre-tax charges of $30.8 million in 2007.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our primary source of liquidity for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, was our cash generated by cash flows from operations in prior periods. See “Cash Flows.”
On August 24, 2007, we entered into the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with the lenders party thereto (collectively, the “Lenders”) and LaSalle Bank National Association (“LaSalle”) as administrative agent (as amended by the First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2008 and the Second Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of March 11, 2009 the “Credit Agreement”). The proceeds of the revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement can be used to finance our working capital requirements through direct borrowings and the issuance of stand-by letters of credit. The Credit Agreement consists of a total facility of $50.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility, including: (i) a sub-facility for letters of credit in an amount not to exceed $50.0 million; and (ii) a sub-facility for a swing line loan in an amount not to exceed $5.0 million. The amount available under the revolving credit facility is based on the lesser of (i) $50.0 million or (ii) The borrowing base representing a portion of working capital, calculated as a percentage of eligible accounts receivable plus percentages of eligible finished inventory and semi-finished inventory, less a $20.0 million borrowing base reserve. Since our accounts receivable and inventory balances fluctuate considerably based on the cyclical nature of the business and the timing of orders, the amount available for borrowing also fluctuates considerably. Under the borrowing base calculation, the amount available for borrowing was $3.2 million and $38.5 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
The Credit Agreement has a term ending on May 31, 2012 and bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus an applicable margin of between 1.50% and 2.25% depending on Revolving Loan Availability (as defined in the Credit Agreement). We are required to pay a commitment fee of between 0.175% and 0.250% based on Revolving Loan Availability. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are collateralized by substantially all of our assets and guaranteed by an unsecured guarantee made by JAIX in favor of LaSalle for the benefit of the Lenders. The Credit Agreement has both affirmative and negative covenants, including a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and limitations on debt, liens, dividends, investments, acquisitions and capital expenditures. The Revolving Credit Agreement also provides for customary events of default.
As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, we had no borrowings under our revolving credit facilities. We had $1.2 million and $11.5 million in outstanding letters of credit under the letter of credit sub-facility as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively which reduced the amount available for borrowing under the facility. Under the revolving credit facility, our subsidiaries are permitted to pay dividends and transfer funds to the Company without restriction.
On September 30, 2008, JAIX entered into a Credit Agreement (as amended by the First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of March 11, 2009, the “JAIX Credit Agreement”) to be used to fund our leasing operations. The JAIX Credit Agreement consists of a $60 million senior secured revolving credit facility. The JAIX Credit Agreement has a term ending on March 31, 2012 and bears interest at the Eurodollar Loan Rate (as defined in the

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JAIX Credit Agreement) plus 2.00% for the first two years of the JAIX Credit Agreement (the “Revolving Period”) and plus 2.50% for the remainder of the term until the termination date. JAIX is required to pay an annual commitment fee of 0.30% during the Revolving Period. Borrowings under the JAIX Credit Agreement are collateralized by substantially all of the assets of JAIX. Additionally, America guaranteed the JAIX Credit Agreement.
Availability under the JAIX Credit Agreement is based on a percentage of the Eligible Railcar Leases (as defined in the agreement) held under the JAIX Credit Agreement. For the first two years the facility requires interest only payments, thereafter the amount drawn on each group of Eligible Railcars under lease is required to be repaid in equal installments at the 6, 12 and 18 month anniversaries of such leases The JAIX Credit Agreement has both affirmative and negative covenants, including, without limitation, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, a minimum tangible net worth, a requirement to deposit restricted cash and limitations on debt, liens, dividends, investments, acquisitions and capital expenditures. The JAIX Credit Agreement also provides for customary events of default. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, we had no borrowings under the JAIX Credit Agreement.
As of December 31, 2009, we were in compliance with all covenant requirements under our revolving credit facilities.
During 2008, in response to competitive market conditions and the deterioration of the financial markets, the Company selectively began to produce and offer railcars under operating lease arrangements with certain customers. These term of the leases vary but generally is less than seven years. The Company also continually evaluates opportunities to package and sell its leases to its operating lease customers. As of December 31, 2009, the value of railcars under operating leases was $61.0 million, the investment in which was funded by cash flows from operations rather than the JAIX Credit Agreement. In 2010, the Company anticipates that it may continue to offer railcars under operating leases to certain customers and pursue opportunities to sell leases in its portfolio. Additional railcars under lease may be funded by cash flows from operations, borrowings under its credit facilities, or both, as the Company evaluates its liquidity and capital resources.
Based on our current level of operations, we believe that our proceeds from operating cash flows and our cash balances, together with amounts available under our revolving credit facilities, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated liquidity needs for 2010. Our long-term liquidity is contingent upon future operating performance and our ability to continue to meet financial covenants under our revolving credit facilities and any other indebtedness. We may also require additional capital in the future to fund working capital as demand for railcars increases, organic growth opportunities and cost reduction programs, including new plant and equipment, development of railcars, joint ventures and acquisitions, and these capital requirements could be substantial. Management continuously evaluates manufacturing facility requirements based upon market demand and may elect to make capital investments at higher levels in the future. We are also exploring product diversification initiatives and international and other opportunities.
Our long-term liquidity needs also depend to a significant extent on our obligations related to our pension and welfare benefit plans. We provide pension and retiree welfare benefits to certain salaried and hourly employees upon their retirement. Benefits under our pension plans are now frozen and will not be impacted by increases due to future service. The most significant assumptions used in determining our net periodic benefit costs are the discount rate used on our pension and postretirement welfare obligations and expected return on pension plan assets. Our management expects that any future obligations under our pension plans that are not currently funded will be funded out of our future cash flow from operations. As of December 31, 2009, our benefit obligation under our defined benefit pension plans and our postretirement benefit plan was $61.5 million and $63.3 million, respectively, which exceeded the fair value of plan assets by $15.5 million and $63.3 million, respectively. As disclosed in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements, we expect to make no contributions relating to our defined benefit pension plans in 2010. We may elect to adjust the level of contributions to our pension plans based on a number of factors, including performance of pension investments, changes in interest rates and changes in workforce compensation. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 provides for changes to the method of valuing pension plan assets and liabilities for funding purposes as well as minimum funding levels. Our defined benefit pension plans are in compliance with the minimum funding levels established in the Pension Protection Act. Funding levels will be affected by future contributions, investment returns on plan assets, growth in plan liabilities and interest rates. Assuming that the plans are fully funded as that term is defined in the Pension Protection Act, we will be required to fund the ongoing growth in plan liabilities on an annual basis. We anticipate funding pension contributions with cash from operations.

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Based upon our operating performance, capital requirements and obligations under our pension and welfare benefit plans, we may, from time to time, be required to raise additional funds through additional offerings of our common stock and through long-term borrowings. There can be no assurance that long-term debt, if needed, will be available on terms attractive to us, or at all. Furthermore, any additional equity financing may be dilutive to stockholders and debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants. Our failure to raise capital if and when needed could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2009, and the effect that these obligations and commitments would be expected to have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods:
                                         
    Payments Due by Period  
                    2-3     4-5     After  
Contractual Obligations   Total     1 Year     Years     Years     5 Years  
    (In thousands)  
Operating leases
  $ 13,768     $ 2,587     $ 5,275     $ 4,846     $ 1,060  
Material and component purchases
    117,523       23,872       50,965       42,686        
 
                             
Total
  $ 131,291     $ 26,459     $ 56,240     $ 47,532     $ 1,060  
 
                             
Material and component purchases consist of non-cancelable agreements with suppliers to purchase materials used in the manufacturing process. Purchase commitments for aluminum are made at a fixed price and are typically entered into after a customer places an order for railcars. The estimated amounts above may vary based on the actual quantities and price.
In addition to the contractual obligations set forth above, we also will have interest payment obligations on any borrowings under the revolving credit facilities. See Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements.
We also paid consulting fees to one of our directors in the amount of $13,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008 and $50,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007. The agreement governing this arrangement expired in April 2008. See Note 20 to the consolidated financial statements.
The above table excludes $5.2 million related to a reserve for unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest and penalties at December 31, 2009 because the timing of the payout of these amounts cannot be determined.
We are a party to employment agreements with our President and Chief Executive Officer, Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, as well as other members of our executive management team. See Item 11. “Executive Compensation.”
We are also required to make minimum contributions to our pension and postretirement welfare plans. See Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements regarding our expected contributions to our pension plans and our expected postretirement welfare benefit payments for 2010.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our net cash provided by or used in operating activities, investing activities and financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:
                         
(Amounts in thousands)                  
    2009     2008     2007  
Net cash (used in) provided by:
                       
Operating activities
  $ 22,864       (23,065 )   $ 41,398  
Investing activities
    (51,284 )     (42,174 )     (6,062 )
Financing activities
    (2,757 )     (2,611 )     (50,320 )
 
                 
Total
  $ (31,177 )   $ (67,850 )   $ (14,984 )
 
                 

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Operating Activities. Our net cash provided by or used in operating activities reflects net income or loss adjusted for non-cash charges and changes in net working capital (including non-current assets and liabilities). Cash flows from operating activities are affected by several factors, including fluctuations in business volume, contract terms for billings and collections, the timing of collections on our contract receivables, processing of bi-weekly payroll and associated taxes, and payment to our suppliers. Our working capital accounts also fluctuate from quarter to quarter due to the timing of certain events, such as the payment or non-payment for our railcars. As some of our customers accept delivery of new railcars in train-set quantities, consisting on average of 120 to 135 railcars, variations in our sales lead to significant fluctuations in our operating profits and cash from operating activities. We do not usually experience business credit issues, although a payment may be delayed pending completion of closing documentation, and a typical order of railcars may not yield cash proceeds until after the end of a reporting period.
Our net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $22.9 million compared to net cash used in operating activities of $23.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 1, 2009 included increases in cash due to changes in accounts receivable of $69.4 million and increases in cash due to changes in income taxes of $6.6 million, that were partially offset by decreases in cash due to changes in accounts payable of $29.9 million, decreases in cash due to changes in inventories of $18.3 million, and decreases in cash related to changes in accrued pension and postretirement benefits of $10.6 million. Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2008 included decreases in cash due to changes in accounts receivable of $60.1 million, the cost of leased railcars held for sale of $11.5 million and decreases in cash due to changes in customer deposits and other current liabilities of $11.9 million that were partially offset by increases in cash due to changes in inventories of $17.5 million and increases in cash due to changes in accounts payable of $10.1 million. Cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2008 also included increases from net income of $11.4 million and adjustments for non-cash items, most significantly plant closure charges of $20.0 million.
Our net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $41.4 million and included increases from net income of $27.5 million and adjustments for non-cash items, most significantly plant closure charges of $30.8 million, as well as increases in cash due to changes in inventories of $56.1 million and increases due to changes in customer deposits and other current liabilities of $11.4 million. Increases in cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2007 were partially offset by decreases in cash due to changes in accounts payable of $65.5 million and decreases in cash due to changes in income taxes of $23.3 million.
Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $51.3 million as compared to $42.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2009 included the cost of purchasing securities available for sale of $49.9 million, cost of railcars on operating leases produced or acquired of $15.6 million and capital expenditures of $4.3 million, partially offset by $20.0 million of proceeds from the sale of securities available for sale. Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2008 included the cost of railcars on operating leases produced or acquired of $35.2 million and capital expenditures of $7.0 million.
Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $6.1 million and consisted primarily of capital expenditures. For the year ended December 31, 2007, $4.3 million of the $6.1 million of total capital expenditures was used for cost reduction initiatives and the expansion of the production capacity to accommodate the manufacture of a new railcar type.
Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $2.8 million as compared to net cash used in financing activities of $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. Net cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2009 included $2.9 million of cash dividends paid to our stockholders, partially offset by a $0.1 million investment in noncontrolling interest by our joint venture partner. Net cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2008 included $2.9 million of cash dividends paid to our stockholders and $0.9 million in deferred financing costs, partially offset by $1.1 million of treasury stock issued for stock options exercised.
Net cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $50.3 million and included $50.0 million for stock repurchases, $2.9 million to pay cash dividends to our stockholders and $0.2 million related to deferred financing costs. These were partially offset by the receipt of $2.1 million for stock options exercised and $0.8 million in excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation.

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Capital Expenditures
Our capital expenditures were $4.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to $7.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2008. For the year ended December 31, 2009, capital expenditures were primarily cash outlays for our new ERP system. For the year ended December 31, 2008, capital expenditures were primarily comprised of equipment expenditures to enable us to build wheel and truck assemblies in-house and side sheet assemblies as well as cash outlays for our new ERP system.
Our capital expenditures were $6.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2007 and included $4.3 million of capital expenditures used for the expansion of production capacity to accommodate the manufacture of hybrid stainless steel/aluminum coal-carrying railcars.
Excluding unforeseen expenditures, management expects that capital expenditures will be approximately $0.9 million in 2010 and will be used to maintain our existing facilities and update manufacturing equipment. Management continuously evaluates manufacturing facility requirements based upon market demand and may elect to make capital investments at higher levels in the future.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of sales and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates include long-lived assets, goodwill, pension and postretirement benefit assumptions, the valuation reserve on the net deferred tax asset, warranty accrual and contingencies and litigation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Our critical accounting policies include the following:
Long-lived assets
We evaluate long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, under the provisions of ASC 360 Property, Plant and Equipment, (formerly, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets), which addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment of long-lived assets and for long-lived assets to be disposed of. For assets to be held or used, we group a long-lived asset or assets with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. An impairment loss for an asset group reduces only the carrying amounts of a long-lived asset or assets of the group being evaluated. Our estimates of future cash flows used to test the recoverability of a long-lived asset group include only the future cash flows that are directly associated with and that are expected to arise as a direct result of the use and eventual disposition of the asset group. Our future cash flow estimates exclude interest charges.
We test long-lived assets for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. These changes in circumstances may include a significant decrease in the market value of an asset or the extent or manner in which an asset is used. We routinely evaluate our manufacturing footprint to assess our manufacturing capacity and cost of production in an effort to optimize production at our low-cost manufacturing facilities.
In December 2007, we announced our planned closure of our manufacturing facility located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania and, as a result, we tested long-lived assets at our Johnstown facility for recoverability using estimated fair values. We recorded impairment charges of $950,000 for land, building and improvements during 2007.
In response to reduced industry demand for railcars, our manufacturing facility in Roanoke, Virginia ceased production of new railcars in July 2009. As a result, we tested long-lived assets at its Roanoke and Danville facilities for recoverability as of December 31, 2009 using estimated future cashflows derived from the Company’s strategic plan. In connection with the analysis, management had to make estimates regarding future sales volumes,

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gross margins and selling, general and administrative expenses, as well the split of future production levels between the Company’s two plants. The analysis indicates that there was no impairment of the long-lived assets for the Roanoke, Virginia and Danville, Illinois facilities as of December 31, 2009. Because of the inherent uncertainty of its projections, management also performed sensitivity analyses around these estimates and determined that an impairment would not occur under a range of operating results, including shifts in the allocation of production, future railcar volumes and future gross margins.
We recorded impairment charges of $597,000 for leased railcars held for sale during 2008 and $800,000 during 2009 (see Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements).
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
We have recorded on our balance sheet both goodwill and intangible assets, which consist of patents. We perform the goodwill impairment test required by ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, (formerly SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets), as of January 1 of each year. No adjustments to goodwill were required based on the annual impairment tests as of January 1, 2009, 2008 and 2007.
We test goodwill for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that may reduce the fair value of our Company below its carrying amount. These events or circumstances include an impairment recorded under ASC 360. Accordingly, we tested goodwill for impairment as of December 31, 2007 in connection with our testing of long-lived assets at the Johnstown facility for recoverability, in addition to performing our annual test as of January 1, 2007. We also tested goodwill for impairment as of December 31, 2009 in connection with an extended downturn in the market for new coal-carrying railcars and our testing of long-lived assets at our Roanoke, Virginia and Danville, Illinois facilities for recoverability. No adjustments to goodwill were required based on the impairment tests as of December 31, 2007 or 2009.
Management estimates the valuation of the company (which consists of one reporting unit) using a combination of methods, as are considered appropriate in the circumstances, including discounted future cash flows, the prices of comparable businesses, recent transactions involving businesses similar to our company, and the company’s market capitalization. As of December 31, 2009, the industry in which our Company operates is experiencing an extended cyclical downturn. As a result, our Company’s recent and near-term future earnings are below normalized levels. However, our Company has a sizable liquidity position relative to its book and market capitalization, as well as substantially no indebtedness, which serve to provide a floor to its valuation. In light of these conditions, management does not believe that using the prices of comparable business or recent transactions that rely on earnings as a basis for the valuation provide a reasonable value for our Company’s net assets as of December 31, 2009. Accordingly, management evaluated our Company’s discounted cash flows and market capitalization to provide a basis for the valuation of our Company’s net assets. We concluded that the estimated fair value of our Company’s net assets exceeded the carrying value as of December 31, 2009. Additional steps, including an allocation of the estimated fair value to our assets and liabilities, would be necessary to determine the amount, if any, of goodwill impairment if the fair value of our net assets were less than their carrying value.
The discounted cash flow method involves management making estimates with respect to a variety of factors that will significantly impact the future performance of the business, including:
  Future railcar volume projections based on an industry-specific outlook for railcar demand and specifically coal railcar demand;
 
  estimated margins on railcar sales; and
 
  weighted-average cost of capital (or WACC) used to discount future performance of our company.
Because these estimates form a basis for the determination of whether or not an impairment charge should be recorded, these estimates are considered to be critical accounting estimates.
We use industry data to estimate volume projections in our discounted cash flow method. We believe that this independent industry data is the best indicator of expected future performance assuming that we maintain a consistent market share, which management believes is supportable based on historical performance. Our estimated margins used in the discounted cash flow method are based primarily on historical margins. The WACC used to discount our future performance in the discounted cash flow method is based on an estimated rate of return of

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companies in our industry and interest rates for corporate debt rated “Baa” or the equivalent by Moody’s Investors Service. Management estimated a WACC of 15% for our December 31, 2009 goodwill impairment valuation analysis based on a targeted mix of equity and debt.
During 2009 the outlook for railcar demand and specifically coal-carrying railcar demand worsened considerably. As a result, small changes in our assumptions used in the discounted cash flow method have a more significant impact on the estimated fair value of our net assets using the discounted cash flow method than in previous periods. We compared the estimated fair value of our net assets using the discounted cash flow method in the base case scenario to three alternate scenarios including the impact of a negative 1% adjustment to the volume projections, impact of a 1% negative adjustment to the margin projections and impact of a 1% increase in the WACC used in the discounted cash flow method. Each of these three alternate scenarios reduced the estimated fair value of our net assets using the discounted cash flow method by between 4% and 11% compared to the estimated fair value of our net assets in the base case. The discounted cash flow method is the lower range of management’s estimate of the fair value of our net assets, therefore each of the alternate scenarios lowered the lower range of management’s estimate of the fair value of our net assets as of December 31, 2009. As a result, the lower range of management’s estimate of the fair value of our net assets in some of the alternate scenarios is slightly below the carrying amount of our net assets as of December 31, 2009. Although future results may differ from those used in the base case scenario, management believes that the discounted cash flow method using the base case scenario is the best estimate of the lower range of fair value of our net assets as of December 31, 2009.
Pensions and postretirement benefits
We provide pension and retiree welfare benefits to certain salaried and hourly employees upon their retirement. The most significant assumptions used in determining our net periodic benefit costs are the expected return on pension plan assets and the discount rate used to calculate the present value of our pension and postretirement welfare plan liabilities.
In 2009, we assumed that the expected long-term rate of return on pension plan assets would be 8.25%. As permitted under ASC 715 (formerly SFAS No. 87, Employers’ Accounting for Pensions) the assumed long-term rate of return on assets is applied to a calculated value of plan assets, which recognizes changes in the fair value of plan assets in a systematic manner over five years. This produces the expected return on plan assets that is included in our net periodic benefit cost. The difference between this expected return and the actual return on plan assets is deferred. The net deferral of past asset gains (losses) affects the calculated value of plan assets and, ultimately, future net periodic benefit cost. We review the expected return on plan assets annually and would revise it if conditions should warrant. A change of one percentage point in the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets would have the following effect:
                 
    1% Increase     1% Decrease  
    (in thousands)  
Effect on net periodic benefit cost
  $ (357 )   $ 357  
At the end of each year, we determine the discount rate to be used to calculate the present value of our pension and postretirement welfare plan liabilities. The discount rate is an estimate of the current interest rate at which our pension liabilities could be effectively settled at the end of the year. In estimating this rate, we look to rates of return on high-quality, fixed-income investments that receive one of the two highest ratings given by a recognized ratings agency. At December 31, 2009, we determined this rate to be 5.76%, a decrease of 1.09% from the 6.85% rate used at December 31, 2008. A change of one percentage point in the discount rate would have the following effect:
                 
    1% Increase     1% Decrease  
    (in thousands)  
Effect on net periodic benefit cost
  $ (79 )   $ 28  
For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, we recognized consolidated pre-tax pension cost of $2.7 million, $10.8 million and $17.1 million, respectively. Pension costs for 2009 include accelerated recognition of unrecognized prior service cost of $0.8 million resulting from the suspension of our pension plan for salaried employees. Pension costs for 2008 include special termination benefit costs of $10.1 million resulting from our plant closure decision while pension costs for 2007 include pension plan curtailment losses and special termination benefit costs of $14.5 million resulting from our plant closure decision (See Note 3, Plant Closure Charges and Note

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12, Employee Benefit Plans to our consolidated financial statements for a description of these actions). We currently expect to make no contributions to our pension plans during 2010. However, we may elect to adjust the level of contributions based on a number of factors, including performance of pension investments, changes in interest rates and changes in workforce compensation. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 provided for changes to the method of valuing pension plan assets and liabilities for funding purposes as well as requiring minimum funding levels. Our defined benefit pension plans are in compliance with minimum funding levels established in the Pension Protection Act. Funding levels will be affected by future contributions, investment returns on plan assets, growth in plan liabilities and interest rates. Once the plan is fully funded as that term is defined within the Pension Protection Act, we will be required to fund the ongoing growth in plan liabilities on an annual basis. We anticipate funding pension contributions with cash from operations.
For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, we recognized a consolidated pre-tax postretirement welfare benefit cost of $4.2 million, $12.6 million and $18.9 million, respectively. Postretirement welfare benefit costs for 2008 include contractual benefit charges of $8.9 million resulting from our plant closure decision while postretirement welfare benefit costs for 2007 include plan curtailment losses and contractual benefit charges of $13.2 million resulting from our plant closure decision (See Note 3, Plant Closure Charges and Note 12, Employee Benefit Plans to our consolidated financial statements for a description of these actions). We currently expect to pay approximately $5.4 million during 2010 in postretirement welfare benefits.
Income taxes
On January 1, 2007, we adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – An Interpretation of FASB Standard No. 109. FIN No. 48 prescribes a comprehensive model for how a company should recognize, measure, present and disclose in its financial statements, uncertain tax positions that it has taken or expects to take on a tax return. This Interpretation requires that a company recognize in its financial statements the impact of tax positions that meet a “more likely than not” threshold, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
Management judgment is required in developing our provision for income taxes, including the determination of deferred tax assets, liabilities and any valuation allowances recorded against the deferred tax assets. We record net deferred tax assets to the extent we believe these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such determinations, we consider all available positive and negative evidence. Positive evidence would include the projection of future taxable income, the reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and tax planning strategies. Negative evidence would include any recent historical losses and any projected losses. We evaluate the realizability of our net deferred tax assets and assess the valuation allowance on a quarterly basis, adjusting the amount of such allowance, if necessary. Failure to achieve forecasted taxable income might affect the ultimate realization of the net deferred tax assets. Factors that may affect our ability to achieve sufficient forecasted taxable income include, but are not limited to, increased competition, a decline in sales or margins and loss of market share.
At December 31, 2009, we had total net deferred tax assets of $28.7 million. In evaluating whether it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets will be realized, we considered both near-term and longer-term projections of operating results. The railcar industry is in the midst of an extended cyclical downturn. However, the railcar market has an established history of cyclicality based on significant swings in customer demand. Industry projections forecast this trend to continue, with a recovery in demand in 2011-2012 and continuing for several years thereafter. Although realization of our net deferred tax assets is not certain, management has concluded that, based on the expected improvement in railcar demand and, therefore, operating results, we will more likely than not realize the full benefit of the deferred tax assets except for our net deferred tax assets in Pennsylvania. At December 31, 2009, we had a valuation allowance of $7.2 million against net operating losses in Pennsylvania.
We provide for deferred income taxes based on differences between the book and tax bases of our assets and liabilities and for items that are reported for financial statement purposes in periods different from those for income tax reporting purposes. The deferred tax liability or asset amounts are based upon the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the periods in which the deferred tax liability or asset is expected to be settled or realized. The deferred tax liabilities and assets that we record relate to the enacted federal, Illinois and Virginia tax rates, since net operating loss carryforwards and deferred tax assets arising under Pennsylvania state law have been fully reserved. A 1% change in the rate of federal income taxes would increase or decrease our deferred tax assets by $0.6 million. A 1% change in the rate of Illinois income taxes would increase or decrease our deferred tax assets by $0.3 million. A 1% change in the rate of Virginia income taxes would increase or decrease our deferred tax assets by $50,000.

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Product warranties
We establish a warranty reserve for railcars sold and estimate the amount of the warranty accrual based on the history of warranty claims for the type of railcar, adjusted for significant known claims in excess of established reserves. Warranty terms are based on the negotiated railcar sales contracts and typically are for periods of one to five years.
Revenue recognition
We generally manufacture railcars under firm orders from third parties. We recognize revenue on new railcars when we complete the individual railcars, the railcars are accepted by the customer following inspection, the risk for any damage or other loss with respect to the railcars passes to the customer and title to the railcars transfers to the customer. We do not record any returns or allowances against sales. We recognize service-related revenue from rebuilding and repairs when all significant rebuilding or repair services have been completed and accepted by the customer. We recognize revenue for the entire transaction on transactions involving used railcar trades when the cash consideration is in excess of 25% of the total transaction value and on a pro-rata portion of the total transaction value when the cash consideration is less than 25% of the total transaction value. We value used railcars received at their estimated fair market value at the date of receipt.
We recognize operating lease revenue on leased railcars on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease. We recognize revenue from the sale of railcars under operating leases on a gross basis in manufacturing sales and cost of sales if the railcars are sold within 12 months as the manufacture of the railcars and the sale is within the 12-month period specified by accounting guidance and represents the completion of the sales process. We recognize revenue from the sale of railcars under operating leases on a net basis in leasing revenue as a gain (loss) on sale (i.e. net) of leased railcars if the railcars are held in excess of 12 months as the sale represents the disposal of a long-term asset.
We accrue for loss contracts when we have a contractual commitment to manufacture railcars at an estimated cost in excess of the contractual selling price.
We record amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling as part of sales and record related costs in cost of sales.
Compensation expense under stock option agreements and restricted stock awards
We have historically granted certain stock-based awards to employees and directors in the form of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options and restricted stock. At the date that an award is granted, we determine the fair value of the award and recognize the compensation expense over the requisite service period, which typically is the period over which the award vests. The restricted stock units are valued at the fair market value of our stock on the grant date. The fair value of stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Determining the fair value of stock options at the grant date requires us to apply judgment and use highly subjective assumptions, including expected stock-price volatility, expected exercise behavior, expected dividend yield and expected forfeitures. While the assumptions that we develop are based on our best expectations, they involve inherent uncertainties based on market conditions and employee behavior that are outside of our control. If actual results are not consistent with the assumptions used, the stock-based compensation expense reported in our financial statements could be impacted.
Contingencies and litigation
We are subject to the possibility of various loss contingencies related to certain legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. We consider the likelihood of loss or the incurrence of a liability, as well as our ability to reasonably estimate the amounts of loss, in the determination of loss contingencies. We accrue an estimated loss contingency when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We regularly evaluate current information available to us based on our ongoing monitoring activities to determine whether the accruals should be adjusted. If the amount of the actual loss is greater than the amount we have accrued, this would have an adverse impact on our operating results in that period. During the fourth quarter of

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2007 we recorded contingency losses of $3.9 million which are included in our Consolidated Statements of Income in “Selling, general and administrative expense”.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In December 2008, the FASB issued changes to ASC 715, Compensation-Retirement Benefits (formerly FASB Staff Position No. FAS 132 (R)-1, Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets). ASC 715 now requires additional disclosures about plan assets for defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The additional disclosures required by ASC 715 are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009. Upon initial application, the provisions of ASC 715 are not required for earlier periods that are presented for comparative purposes. Since ASC 715 requires enhanced disclosures without a change to existing standards relative to measurement and recognition, the adoption of ASC 715 will not have an impact on our results of operations or financial position.
As of January 1, 2009, we adopted the provisions of the FASB’s changes to ASC 810 Consolidation (formerly, SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements: An amendment of ARB No. 51). ASC 810 requires us to present our interest in less than 100% owned subsidiaries in which we retain control as a component of stockholders’ equity in the balance sheet and recharacterize the component formerly known as minority interest as noncontrolling interest. ASC 810 also requires us to show the amount of net income attributable to both FreightCar America and the noncontrolling interest on the face of the statement of operations and in the summary of comprehensive income. The effect of adoption was an increase of $101,000 to total stockholders’ equity on our December 31, 2008 balance sheet, and a corresponding decrease to minority interests.
As of June 30, 2009, we adopted the provisions of the FASB’s changes to ASC 855, Subsequent Events (SFAS No. 165, Subsequent Events). ASC 855 establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or available to be issued. Specifically, ASC 855 sets forth the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements, and the disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date. The adoption of ASC 855 had no impact on our financial statements since management already followed a similar approach prior to the adoption of this standard.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This annual report on Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements including, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies and prospects. We have used the words “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “intend” and similar expressions in this prospectus to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Our actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
Our forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including:
  the cyclical nature of our business;
 
  adverse economic and market conditions;
 
  fluctuating costs of raw materials, including steel and aluminum, and delays in the delivery of raw materials;
 
  our ability to maintain relationships with our suppliers of railcar components;
 
  our reliance upon a small number of customers that represent a large percentage of our sales;
 
  the variable purchase patterns of our customers and the timing of completion, delivery and acceptance of customer orders;
 
  the highly competitive nature of our industry;
 
  risks relating to our relationship with our unionized employees and their unions;
 
  our ability to manage our health care and pension costs;
 
  our reliance on the sales of our aluminum-bodied coal-carrying railcars;
 
  shortages of skilled labor;
 
  the risk of lack of acceptance of our new railcar offerings by our customers;

34


 

  the cost of complying with environmental laws and regulations;
 
  the costs associated with being a public company;
 
  potential significant warranty claims; and
 
  various covenants in the agreements governing our indebtedness that limit our management’s discretion in the operation of our businesses.
Our actual results could be different from the results described in or anticipated by our forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of estimates, forecasts and projections and may be better or worse than anticipated. Given these uncertainties, you should not rely on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date that they were made. We expressly disclaim any duty to provide updates to forward-looking statements, and the estimates and assumptions associated with them, in order to reflect changes in circumstances or expectations or the occurrence of unanticipated events except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. All of the forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed under Item 1A. “Risk Factors.”
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We have a $50.0 million revolving credit facility, which provides for financing of our working capital requirements and contains a sub-facility for letters of credit and a $5.0 million sub-facility for a swing line loan. As of December 31, 2009, there were no borrowings under the revolving credit facility and we had issued approximately $1.2 million in letters of credit under the sub-facility for letters of credit.
We also have a $60.0 million revolving credit facility, which provides for the financing of the production or acquisition of railcars to be leased. As of December 31, 2009, there were no borrowings under this credit facility. On an annual basis, a 1% change in the interest rate in our revolving credit facilities will increase or decrease our interest expense by $10,000 for every $1.0 million of outstanding borrowings.
The production of railcars and our operations require substantial amounts of aluminum and steel. The cost of aluminum, steel and all other materials (including scrap metal) used in the production of our railcars represents a significant majority of our direct manufacturing costs. Our business is subject to the risk of price increases and periodic delays in the delivery of aluminum, steel and other materials, all of which are beyond our control. Any fluctuations in the price or availability of aluminum or steel, or any other material used in the production of our railcars, may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, if any of our suppliers were unable to continue its business or were to seek bankruptcy relief, the availability or price of the materials we use could be adversely affected. We currently do not plan to enter into any hedging arrangements to manage the price risks associated with raw materials, although we may do so in the future. Historically, we have either renegotiated existing contracts or entered into new contracts with our customers that allow for variable pricing to protect us against future changes in the cost of raw materials. However, current market conditions and competitive pricing have limited our ability to negotiate variable pricing contracts. When raw material prices increase rapidly or to levels significantly higher than normal, we may not be able to pass price increases through to our customers, which could adversely affect our operating margins and cash flows.
To the extent that we are unsuccessful in passing on increases in the cost of aluminum and steel to our customers, a 1% increase in the cost of aluminum and steel would increase our average cost of sales by approximately $182 per railcar, which, for the year ended December 31, 2009, would have reduced income before income taxes by approximately $0.6 million.
We are not exposed to any significant foreign currency exchange risks as our general policy is to denominate foreign sales and purchases in U.S. dollars.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

35


 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
FreightCar America, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of FreightCar America, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2008 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of FreightCar America, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 15, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
March 15, 2010

36


 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
FreightCar America, Inc.
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of FreightCar America, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended December 31, 2009 of the Company and our report dated March 15, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial statement schedule.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
March 15, 2010

37


 

FreightCar America, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands except share and per share data)
                 
    December 31,     December 31,  
    2009     2008  
Assets
               
Current assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 98,015     $ 129,192  
Restricted cash
    1,420        
Securities available for sale, at fair value
    29,976        
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $240 and $330, respectively
    3,728       73,120  
Inventories
    40,800       31,096  
Leased railcars held for sale
    2,200       11,490  
Property, plant and equipment held for sale
    2,478        
Other current assets
    9,467       6,789  
Deferred income taxes, net
    15,315       16,003  
 
           
Total current assets
    203,399       267,690  
 
               
Long-term inventory
    5,611        
Property, plant and equipment, net
    28,170       30,582  
Railcars on operating leases
    58,771       34,735  
Goodwill
    21,521       21,521  
Deferred income taxes, net
    13,404       23,281  
Other long-term assets
    4,690       5,484  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 335,566     $ 383,293  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Current liabilities
               
Accounts payable
  $ 16,948     $ 47,328  
Accrued payroll and employee benefits
    7,958       9,530  
Accrued postretirement benefits
    5,329       5,364  
Accrued warranty
    9,146       11,476  
Customer deposits
    4,631       7,367  
Other current liabilities
    5,332       7,939  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    49,344       89,004  
 
               
Accrued pension costs
    15,675       26,763  
Accrued postretirement benefits, less current portion
    57,962       55,293  
Other long-term liabilities
    6,332       7,407  
 
           
Total liabilities
    129,313       178,467  
 
           
 
               
Stockholders’ equity
               
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 2,500,000 shares authorized (100,000 shares each designated as Series A voting and Series B non-voting, 0 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2009 and 2008)
           
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 12,731,678 and 12,731,678 shares issued at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively
    127       127  
Additional paid in capital
    97,979       98,253  
Treasury stock, at cost, 790,865 and 821,182 shares at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively
    (37,123 )     (38,871 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (18,578 )     (16,471 )
Retained earnings
    163,761       161,687  
 
           
Total FreightCar America stockholders’ equity
    206,166       204,725  
Noncontrolling interest in India JV
    87       101  
 
           
Total stockholders’ equity
    206,253       204,826  
 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 335,566     $ 383,293  
 
           
See notes to the consolidated financial statements.

38


 

FreightCar America, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
Revenues
  $ 248,462     $ 746,390     $ 817,025  
Cost of sales
    211,940       679,597       712,124  
 
                 
Gross profit
    36,522       66,793       104,901  
Selling, general and administrative expense
    31,316       31,717       38,914  
Plant closure charges (income)
    (495 )     20,037       30,836  
 
                 
Operating income
    5,701       15,039       35,151  
Interest income
    124       3,827       8,349  
Interest expense
    523       396       420  
Amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs
    270       281       232  
 
                 
Income before income taxes
    5,032       18,189       42,848  
Income tax provision
    248       6,769       15,389  
 
                 
Net income
    4,784       11,420       27,459  
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in India JV
    (156 )            
 
                 
Net income attributable to FreightCar America
  $ 4,940     $ 11,420     $ 27,459  
 
                 
Net income per common share attributable to FreightCar America—basic
  $ 0.42     $ 0.97     $ 2.27  
 
                 
Net income per common share attributable to FreightCar America—diluted
  $ 0.42     $ 0.97     $ 2.25  
 
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic
    11,861,366       11,788,400       12,115,712  
 
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted
    11,870,350       11,833,132       12,188,901  
 
                 
Dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.24     $ 0.24     $ 0.24  
 
                 
See notes to the consolidated financial statements.

39


 

FreightCar America, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands, except for share data)
                                                                         
    FreightCar America Shareholders  
                                            Accumulated                        
                    Additional                     Other                     Total  
    Common Stock     Paid In     Treasury Stock     Comprehensive     Retained     Noncontrolling     Stockholders'  
    Shares     Amount     Capital     Shares     Amount     Income (Loss)     Earnings     Interest     Equity  
Balance, January 1, 2007
    12,681,511     $ 127     $ 99,981                 $ (26,774 )   $ 130,535           $ 203,869  
 
                                                     
Net income
                                        27,459             27,459  
Pension liability activity, net of tax
                                  6,868                   6,868  
Postretirement liability activity, net of tax
                                  10,049                   10,049  
 
                                                                     
Comprehensive income
                                                    44,376  
 
                                                                     
Adjustment for adoption of changes in ASC 740
                                        (1,936 )           (1,936 )
Stock repurchases
                      (1,048,300 )     (50,000 )                       (50,000 )
Stock options exercised
                (3,322 )     109,936       5,410                         2,088  
Restricted stock awards
    52,000             (1,030 )     20,940       1,030                          
Forfeiture of restricted stock awards
    (1,833 )           37       (833 )     (37 )                        
Stock-based compensation recognized
                2,804                                     2,804  
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
                800                                     800  
Cash dividends
                                        (2,938 )           (2,938 )
 
                                                     
Balance, December 31, 2007
    12,731,678     $ 127     $ 99,270       (918,257 )   $ (43,597 )   $ (9,857 )   $ 153,120           $ 199,063  
Net income
                                        11,420             11,420  
Pension liability activity, net of tax
                                  (7,503 )                 (7,503 )
Postretirement liability activity, net of tax
                                  889                   889  
 
                                                                     
Comprehensive income
                                                    4,806  
 
                                                                     
Investment in noncontrolling interest by joint venture partner
                                              101       101  
Stock options exercised
                (1,564 )     54,968       2,609                         1,045  
Restricted stock awards
                (2,305 )     48,547       2,305                          
Forfeiture of restricted stock awards
                188       (6,440 )     (188 )                        
Stock-based compensation recognized
                2,852                                     2,852  
Deficiency of tax benefit from stock-based compensation
                (188 )                                   (188 )
Cash dividends
                                        (2,853 )           (2,853 )
 
                                                     
Balance, December 31, 2008
    12,731,678     $ 127     $ 98,253       (821,182 )   $ (38,871 )   $ (16,471 )   $ 161,687     $ 101     $ 204,826  
Net income
                                        4,940       (156 )     4,784  
Pension liability activity, net of tax
                                  785                   785  
Postretirement liability activity, net of tax
                                  (2,896 )                 (2,896 )
Unrealized holding gain on available-for -sale securities, net of reclassification adjustment, net of tax
                                  2                   2  
Foreign currency translation adjustments
                                  2                   2  
 
                                                                     
Comprehensive income
                                                    2,677  
 
                                                                     
Investment in noncontrolling interest by joint venture partner
                                              142       142  
Restricted stock awards
                (1,969 )     41,589       1,969                          
Forfeiture of restricted stock awards
                221       (11,272 )     (221 )                        
Stock-based compensation recognized
                1,829                                     1,829  
Deficiency of tax benefit from stock-based compensation
                (355 )                                   (355 )
Cash dividends
                                        (2,866 )           (2,866 )
 
                                                     
Balance, December 31, 2009
    12,731,678     $ 127     $ 97,979       (790,865 )   $ (37,123 )   $ (18,578 )   $ 163,761     $ 87     $ 206,253  
 
                                                     
See notes to the consolidated financial statements.

40


 

FreightCar America, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
Cash flows from operating activities
                       
Net income
  $ 4,784     $ 11,420     $ 27,459  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities
                       
Plant closure
          20,037       30,836  
Depreciation and amortization
    5,658       4,380       3,910  
Other non-cash items, net
    4,231       589       2,160  
Deferred income taxes
    11,830       (516 )     (11,895 )
Compensation expense under stock option and restricted share award agreements
    1,829       2,852       2,804  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
Accounts receivable
    69,392       (60,052 )     (1,699 )
Inventories
    (18,314 )     17,522       56,093  
Leased railcars held for sale
    (1,420 )     (11,490 )      
Other current assets
    591       2,346       (312 )
Accounts payable
    (29,910 )     10,148       (65,498 )
Accrued payroll and employee benefits
    (1,572 )     (4,475 )     (2,004 )
Income taxes receivable/payable
    (5,271 )     (4,936 )     (11,391 )
Accrued warranty
    (2,330 )     925       (1,500 )
Customer deposits and other current liabilities
    (5,310 )     (11,871 )     11,448  
Deferred revenue, non-current
    (711 )     1,800        
Accrued pension costs and accrued postretirement benefits
    (10,613 )     (1,744 )     987  
 
                 
Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities
    22,864       (23,065 )     41,398  
 
                 
 
                       
Cash flows from investing activities
                       
Restricted cash deposits
    (5,658 )            
Restricted cash withdrawals
    4,238              
Purchase of securities available for sale
    (49,933 )            
Sale of securities available for sale
    19,986              
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
    (4,317 )     (6,991 )     (6,073 )
Cost of railcars on operating leases produced or acquired
    (15,603 )     (35,201 )      
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
    3       18       11  
 
                 
Net cash flows used in investing activities
    (51,284 )     (42,174 )     (6,062 )
 
                 
 
                       
Cash flows from financing activities
                       
Payments on long-term debt
    (28 )     (65 )     (60 )
Deferred financing costs paid
    (5 )     (838 )     (211 )
Stock repurchases
                (50,000 )
Issuance of common stock (net of issuance costs and deferred offering costs)
          1,045       2,089  
Investment in noncontrolling interest by joint venture partner
    142       101        
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
                800  
Cash dividends paid to stockholders
    (2,866 )     (2,854 )     (2,938 )
 
                 
Net cash flows used in financing activities
    (2,757 )     (2,611 )     (50,320 )
 
                 
 
                       
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (31,177 )     (67,850 )     (14,984 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    129,192       197,042       212,026  
 
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 98,015     $ 129,192     $ 197,042  
 
                 
 
                       
Supplemental cash flow information
                       
Cash paid for:
                       
Interest
  $ 265     $ 311     $ 515  
 
                 
Income tax refunds received
  $ 7,750     $ 1,737     $ 70  
 
                 
Income taxes paid
  $ 175     $ 9,740     $ 37,147  
 
                 
Non-cash transactions:
                       
Increase (decrease) in balance of property, plant and equipment on account
  $ (470 )   $ 235     $ (771 )
 
                 
See notes to the consolidated financial statements.

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FreightCar America, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
Note 1 – Description of the Business
FreightCar America, Inc. (“America”), through its direct and indirect subsidiaries, JAC Intermedco, Inc. (“Intermedco”), JAC Operations, Inc. (“Operations”), Johnstown America Corporation (“JAC”), Freight Car Services, Inc. (“FCS”), JAIX Leasing Company (“JAIX”), JAC Patent Company (“JAC Patent”), FreightCar Roanoke, Inc. (“FCR”), Titagarh FreightCar Private Limited, Inc. and FreightCar Mauritius Ltd. (“Mauritius”) (herein collectively referred to as the “Company”) manufactures, rebuilds, repairs, sells and leases freight cars used for hauling coal, other bulk commodities, steel and other metals, forest products and automobiles. The Company has facilities in Danville, Illinois, Roanoke, Virginia and Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The Company’s operations comprise one operating segment. The Company and its direct and indirect subsidiaries are all Delaware corporations except Titagarh FreightCar Private Limited, Inc. which is incorporated in India and FreightCar Mauritius Ltd. which is incorporated in Mauritius. The Company’s direct and indirect subsidiaries are all wholly owned except Titagarh FreightCar Private Limited, Inc. for which the Company (through Mauritius) has a 51% ownership interest.
Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of America, Intermedco, Operations, JAC, FCS, JAIX, JAC Patent and FCR. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates include the valuation of used railcars received in sale transactions, useful lives of long-lived assets, warranty and workers’ compensation accruals, pension and postretirement benefit assumptions, stock compensation, evaluation of goodwill for impairment and the valuation reserve on the net deferred tax asset. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all unrestricted short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents.
On a daily basis, cash in excess of current operating requirements is invested in various highly liquid investments having a typical maturity date of three months or less at the date of acquisition. These investments are carried at cost, which approximates market value, and are classified as cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash
During 2009 the Company established restricted cash balances in lieu of standby letters of credit for purchase price payment guarantees and performance guarantees. The restrictions expire upon the Company’s delivery of railcars to customers.

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Financial Instruments
Management estimates that all financial instruments (including cash equivalents, restricted cash, securities available for sale, accounts receivable, accounts payable and long-term debt) as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, have fair values that approximate their carrying values
Upon purchase the Company categorizes debt securities as securities held-to-maturity, securities available-for-sale or trading securities. Debt securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as securities-held-to-maturity and are reported at amortized cost adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount on a level yield basis. Debt securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term are classified as trading securities and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. Debt securities not classified as either held-to-maturity or trading securities are classified as securities available- for-sale and are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a component of other comprehensive income, which is included in stockholders’ equity, net of deferred taxes.
During 2009, the Company invested in securities available-for-sale which, are recorded at fair value on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The Company has not invested in securities held to maturity or trading securities.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of first-in, first-out cost or market and include material, labor and manufacturing overhead. The Company’s inventory consists of raw materials, work in progress and finished goods for individual customer contracts. Management established a reserve of $1,168 and $150 relating to slow-moving inventory for raw materials and work in progress at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Leased Railcars
In response to competitive market conditions and the deterioration of the financial markets, the Company began offering railcar leasing to its customers on a selective and limited basis beginning in 2008. The Company offers railcar leases to its customers generally at market rates with terms and conditions that have been negotiated with the customers. Railcar leases generally have terms of up to seven years. It is the Company’s strategy to generally offer these leased assets for sale to leasing companies and financial institutions as market opportunities arise, rather than holding them to maturity.
Initially as of the date of manufacture and on a quarterly basis thereafter the Company evaluates leased railcars to determine if the leased railcars qualify as “assets held for sale.” If all of the held for sale criteria are met, including the determination by management that the sale of the railcars is probable, and transfer of the railcars is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year, then the leased railcars are treated as assets held for sale and classified as current assets on the balance sheet (leased assets held for sale). In determining whether it is probable that the leased railcars will be sold within one year, management considers general market conditions for similar railcars and considers whether those market conditions are indicative of a potential sales price that will be acceptable to the Company to sell the cars within one year. Leased railcars held for sale are carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value less cost to sell and are not depreciated.
Leased railcars that do not meet all of the held for sale criteria are included in railcars on operating leases on the balance sheet and are depreciated over 40 years.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at acquisition cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which are as follows:

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Description of Assets   Life  
Buildings and improvements
  10-40 years
Machinery and equipment
  3-12 years
Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred, while major replacements and improvements are capitalized. The cost and accumulated depreciation of items sold or retired are removed from the property accounts and any gain or loss is recorded in the consolidated statement of income upon disposal or retirement.
Long-Lived Assets
The Company evaluates long-lived assets under the provisions of ASC 360, Property, Plant and Equipment, (formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets), which addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment of long-lived assets and for long-lived assets to be disposed of. For assets to be held or used, the Company groups a long-lived asset or assets with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. An impairment loss for an asset group reduces only the carrying amounts of a long-lived asset or assets of the group being evaluated. Estimates of future cash flows used to test the recoverability of a long-lived asset group include only the future cash flows that are directly associated with and that are expected to arise as a direct result of the use and eventual disposition of the asset group. The future cash flow estimates used by the Company exclude interest charges.
The Company tests long-lived assets for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. These changes in circumstances may include a significant decrease in the market value of an asset or the extent or manner in which an asset is used. The Company routinely evaluates its manufacturing footprint to assess its manufacturing capacity and cost of production in an effort to optimize production at its low-cost manufacturing facilities.
In December 2007, the Company announced the planned closure of its manufacturing facility located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and as a result, it tested long-lived assets at the Johnstown facility for recoverability using estimated fair values. Fair values were estimated using the cost approach based on the assumption that the reproduction or replacement cost normally sets the upper limit of value and the sales comparison approach which relies on the assumption that value can be measured by the selling prices of similar assets. Impairment charges of $950 were recorded for land, building and improvements during 2007.
In response to reduced industry demand for railcars the Company’s manufacturing facility in Roanoke, Virginia ceased production of new railcars in July 2009. As a result, the Company tested long-lived assets at its Roanoke and Danville facilities for recoverability as of December 31, 2009 using estimated future cashflows derived from the Company’s strategic plan. In connection with the analysis, the Company had to make estimates regarding future sales volumes, gross margins and selling, general and administrative expenses, as well as the split of future production levels between the Company’s two plants. The analysis indicates that there was no impairment of the long-lived assets for the Roanoke, Virginia and Danville, Illinois facilities as of December 31, 2009. Because of the inherent uncertainties of its projections, the Company also performed sensitivity analysis around these estimates and determined that an impairment would not occur under a range of operating results, including shifts in the allocation of production, future railcar volumes and future gross margins.
The Company recorded impairment charges of $800 for leased railcars held for sale during 2009 and $597 during 2008 (see note 6).
Research and Development
Costs associated with research and development are expensed as incurred and totaled approximately $842, $1,959 and $1,966 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Such costs are reflected within selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income.

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The Company performs the goodwill impairment test required by ASC 350 Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, (formerly, SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets), as of January 1 of each year. Management estimates the valuation of the company (which consists of one reporting unit) using a combination of methods, as are considered appropriate in the circumstances, including discounted future cash flows, the prices of comparable businesses, recent transactions involving businesses similar to our company, and the company’s market capitalization. There was no adjustment required based on the annual impairment tests for 2009, 2008 and 2007.
The Company tests goodwill for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that may reduce the fair value of the Company below its carrying amount. These events or circumstances include an impairment recorded under ASC 360, Property, Plant and Equipment. Accordingly, the Company tested goodwill for impairment as of December 31, 2007 in connection with its testing of long-lived assets at the Johnstown facility for recoverability, in addition to performing its annual test as of January 1, 2007. The Company also tested goodwill for impairment as of December 31, 2009 in connection with the economic downturn for new coal-carrying railcars and our testing of long-lived assets at its Roanoke, Virginia and Danville, Illinois facilities for recoverability. There was no adjustment required based on these interim impairments test as of December 31, 2007 or 2009.
Patents are amortized on a straight-line method over their remaining legal life from the date of acquisition.
Income Taxes
For Federal income tax purposes, the Company files a consolidated federal tax return. JAC files separately in Pennsylvania and FCR files separately in Virginia. The Company files a combined return in Illinois. The Company’s operations are not significant in any states other than Illinois, Pennsylvania and Virginia. In conformity with ASC 740, Income Taxes, (formerly, SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes), the Company provides for deferred income taxes on differences between the book and tax bases of its assets and liabilities and for items that are reported for financial statement purposes in periods different from those for income tax reporting purposes.
Management evaluates deferred tax assets and provides a valuation allowance when it believes that it is more likely than not that some portion of these assets will not be realized. In making this determination, management evaluates both positive evidence, such as the projection of future taxable income, the reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and tax planning strategies, and negative evidence, such as any recent history of historical losses and any projected losses. We evaluate the realizability of our net deferred tax assets and assess the valuation allowance on a quarterly basis, adjusting the amount of such allowance as necessary.
Tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return are recorded when such benefits meet a more likely than not threshold. Otherwise, these tax benefits are recorded when a tax position has been effectively settled, which means that the appropriate taxing authority has completed their examination even though the statute of limitations remains open, or the statute of limitation expires. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are recognized as part of the provision for income taxes and are accrued beginning in the period that such interest and penalties would be applicable under relevant tax law until such time that the related tax benefits are recognized.
Product Warranties
The Company establishes a warranty reserve for new railcar sales at the time of sale, estimates the amount of the warranty accrual for new railcars sold based on the history of warranty claims for the type of railcar, and adjusts the reserve for significant known claims in excess of established reserves.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues on new and rebuilt railcars are recognized when individual cars are completed, the railcars are accepted by the customer following inspection, the risk for any damage or other loss with respect to the railcars passes to the customer and title to the railcars transfers to the customer. There are no returns or allowances recorded against sales.

45


 

Pursuant to ASC 845, Nonmonetary Transactions (formerly Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 29, Accounting for Non-Monetary Transactions, and Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 01-2, Interpretations of APB No. 29, revenue is recognized for the entire transaction on transactions involving used railcar trades when the cash consideration is in excess of 25% of the total transaction value and on a pro-rata portion of the total transaction value when the cash consideration is less than 25% of the total transaction value. Used railcars received are valued at their estimated fair market value at the date of receipt less a normal profit margin. Revenue from leasing is recognized ratably during the lease term.
The Company recognizes service-related revenue from rebuilding and repairs when all significant rebuilding or repair services have been completed and accepted by the customer.
The Company recognizes operating lease revenue on leased railcars on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease. The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of railcars under operating leases on a gross basis in manufacturing sales and cost of sales if the railcars are sold within 12 months as the manufacture of the railcars and the sale is within the 12-month period specified by accounting guidance and represents the completion of the sales process. The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of railcars under operating leases on a net basis in leasing revenue as a gain (loss) on sale (i.e. net) of leased railcars if the railcars are held in excess of 12 months as the sale represents the disposal of a long-term asset.
The Company’s sales to customers outside the United States were $43,104, $84,784 and $85,980 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
The Company accrues for loss contracts when it has a contractual commitment to manufacture railcars at an estimated cost in excess of the contractual selling price.
The Company records amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling as part of sales in accordance with ASC 605-45, Revenue Recognition – Principal Agent Considerations (formerly EITF 00-10, Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs), and records related costs in cost of sales.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (loss), unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit cost, foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized holding gains on securities available-for-sale. All components of comprehensive income (loss) are shown net of tax.
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share are calculated as net income attributable to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the respective period. The Company includes contingently issuable shares in its calculation of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Contingently issuable shares are shares subject to options which require little or no cash consideration. Diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding plus dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the year.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company applies the provisions of ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation (formerly SFAS No. 123 (R), Share-Based Payment), for its stock-based compensation plan based on the modified prospective basis. As a result, the Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense for stock awards based on the grant-date fair value of the award. That cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, which is usually the vesting period. See Note 14.

46


 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2008, the FASB issued changes to ASC 715, Compensation-Retirement Benefits (formerly FASB Staff Position No. FAS 132 (R)-1, Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets). ASC 715 now requires additional disclosures about plan assets for defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The additional disclosures required by ASC 715 are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009. Upon initial application, the provisions of ASC 715 are not required for earlier periods that are presented for comparative purposes. Since ASC 715 requires enhanced disclosures without a change to existing standards relative to measurement and recognition, the adoption of ASC 715 did not have an impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
As of January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of the FASB’s changes to ASC 810 Consolidation (formerly, SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements: An amendment of ARB No. 51). ASC 810 requires the Company to present its interest in less than 100% owned subsidiaries in which it retains control as a component of stockholders’ equity in the balance sheet and recharacterize the component formerly known as minority interest as noncontrolling interest. ASC 810 also requires the Company to show the amount of net income attributable to both the Company and the noncontrolling interest on the face of the statement of operations and in the summary of comprehensive income. The effect of adoption was an increase of $101 to total stockholders’ equity on the Company’s December 31, 2008 balance sheet, and a corresponding decrease to minority interests.
As of June 30, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of the FASB’s changes to ASC 855, Subsequent Events (SFAS No. 165, Subsequent Events). ASC 855 establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or available to be issued. Specifically, ASC 855 sets forth the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements, and the disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date. The adoption of ASC 855 had no impact on the Company’s financial statements since management already followed a similar approach prior to the adoption of this standard.
Note 3 – Plant Closure Charges
In December 2007, the Company announced that it planned to close its manufacturing facility located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. This action was taken to further the Company’s strategy of optimizing production at its low-cost facilities and continuing its focus on cost control. The Company had entered into decisional bargaining with the USWA, but did not reach an agreement with the USWA that would have allowed the Company to continue to operate the facility in a cost-effective way. In December 2007, the Company recorded curtailment and impairment charges of $30,836 related to these actions.
On May 6, 2008, an arbitrator issued a ruling in a grievance proceeding brought against the Company by the USWA. The grievance proceeding, which was first filed by the USWA on April 1, 2007, surrounded the interpretation of provisions in the collective bargaining agreement (“CBA”) covering employees at the Johnstown facility. The dispute involved the interpretation of language regarding the classification of employees’ years of service and the Company’s obligations to employees based on their years of service. The arbitrator’s ruling held the Company responsible for providing back pay and appropriate benefits to affected employees, a group that included over one-half of the workers who were employed at the Johnstown facility at the time the grievance was filed. As a result of the ruling, the Company recorded an additional amount for the Company’s estimate of the probable cost of the back pay and benefits under the ruling during the three months ended March 31, 2008. On June 4, 2008 the Company filed a lawsuit against the USWA asking the court to vacate the arbitrator’s ruling.
On June 24, 2008, the Company announced a tentative global settlement that would resolve all legal disputes relating to the Johnstown facility and its workforce, including the Sowers/Hayden class action litigation, the above-mentioned contested arbitration ruling and other pending grievance proceedings. The settlement, with the USWA and the plaintiffs in the Sowers/Hayden lawsuit, was ratified by the Johnstown USWA membership on June 26, 2008 and approved by the court on November 19, 2008. The time for an appeal of the court’s order has now expired

47


 

and the settlement is final. As a consequence, all existing legal disputes relating to the Company’s Johnstown, Pennsylvania manufacturing facility and its workforce, including the Sowers/Hayden class action litigation and contested grievance ruling, are now resolved and closed. Under the terms of the settlement, the collective bargaining agreement between the Company and the USWA was terminated effective May 15, 2008 and the Johnstown facility was closed. The settlement provided special pension benefits to certain workers at the Johnstown facility and deferred vested benefits to other workers, as well as health care benefits, severance pay and/or settlement bonus payments to workers depending on their years of service at the facility. During 2008, the Company recorded plant closure charges of $20,037 related to these actions. Plant closure income for the year ended December 31, 2009 represents insurance recoveries and adjustments related to employment termination benefits, bringing total plant closure charges through December 31, 2009 to $50,378.
The components of the plant closure charges incurred for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 are as follows
                         
    2009   2008   2007
Pension plan curtailment loss and special termination benefit costs
  $     $ 10,112     $ 14,478  
Postretirement plan curtailment loss and contractual benefit charges
          8,866       13,204  
Employee termination benefits
    (166 )     11       2,204  
Insurance recoveries and other related costs
    (329 )     1,048        
Impairment charge for plant building and land
                950  
 
           
Total plant closure (income) charges
  $ (495 )   $ 20,037     $ 30,836  
 
           
Note 4 – Fair Value Measurements
ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (formerly SFAS No. 157), defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Under ASC 820, fair value is an exit price and that exit price should reflect all the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of assets and liabilities and the placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.
The Company classifies the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value as follows:
         
Level 1
    Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
Level 2
    Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, and inputs that are derived from observable market data by correlation or other means.
Level 3
    Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, including situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.
The following table sets forth by level within the ASC 820 fair value hierarchy the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

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    As of December 31, 2009
Recurring Fair Value Measurements   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
ASSETS:
                               
Securities available for sale — fixed income government obligations
  $ 29,976     $     $     $ 29,976  
During the third quarter of 2009, the Company purchased a fixed income government obligation with a par value of $20,000 and a maturity date of March 15, 2010. The security was classified as available-for-sale at September 30, 2009 and recorded at fair value on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The Company subsequently sold the security during the fourth quarter of 2009. During the fourth quarter of 2009 the Company purchased two fixed income government obligations with par values of $20,000 and $10,000, respectively, and maturity dates of April 10, 2010 and August 10, 2010, respectively. The securities were classified as available-for-sale at December 31, 2009 and recorded at fair value on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.
Note 5 — Inventories
Inventories consist of the following:
                 
    December 31,  
    2009     2008  
Work in progress
  $ 30,803     $ 23,618  
Finished new railcars
          5,513  
Used railcars acquired upon trade-in
    9,997       1,965  
 
           
Total inventories
  $ 40,800     $ 31,096  
 
           
The above table excludes long-term inventory of $5,611 and $0 as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Note 6— Leased Railcars
Leased railcars at December 31, 2009 included leased railcars classified as held for sale of $2,200 and railcars on operating leases classified as long-term assets of $58,771. Due to a decline in asset values in the current market, an impairment write-down of $800 related to railcars on operating leases was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2009. Leased railcars at December 31, 2008 included leased railcars classified as held for sale of $11,490 and railcars on operating leases classified as long-term assets of $34,735. Due to a decline in asset values, an impairment write-down of $597 related to railcars on operating leases was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2008. Depreciation expense on leased railcars was $1,291, $369 and $0, for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Leased railcars at December 31, 2009 are subject to lease agreements with external customers with terms of up to four years.
Future minimum rental revenues on leases at December 31, 2009 are as follows:
         
Year ending December 31, 2010
  $ 4,572  
Year ending December 31, 2011
    3,066  
Year ending December 31, 2012
    615  
Year ending December 31, 2013
    104  
Thereafter
     
 
     
 
  $ 8,357  
 
     

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Note 7 — Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:
                 
    December 31,  
    2009     2008  
Land
  $ 151     $ 701  
 
           
 
               
Buildings and improvements
    19,056       20,918  
Machinery and equipment
    31,175       42,352  
 
           
Cost of buildings, improvements, machinery and equipment
    50,231       63,270  
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (22,599 )     (38,996 )
 
           
Buildings, improvements, machinery and equipment net of accumulated depreciation and amortization
    27,632       24,274  
 
               
Construction in process
    387       5,607  
 
           
Total property, plant and equipment
  $ 28,170     $ 30,582  
 
           
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, was $3,777, $3,420 and $3,320, respectively.
The Company monitors its long-lived assets for impairment indicators on an ongoing basis in accordance with the provisions of ASC 360, Property, Plant and Equipment (formerly SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets). If impairment indicators exist, the Company performs the required analysis and records impairment charges in accordance with ASC 360. In conducting its analysis, the Company compares undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the long-lived assets to the related net book values. If assets are found to be impaired, the amount of the impairment loss is measured by comparing the net book values and the fair values of the long-lived assets. In December 2007, the Company announced the planned closure of its manufacturing facility located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania and, as a result it tested long-lived assets at the Johnstown facility for recoverability using estimated fair values. Fair values were estimated using the cost approach based on the assumption that the reproduction or replacement cost normally sets the upper limit of value and the sales comparison approach, which relies on the assumption that value can be measured by the selling prices of similar assets. Impairment charges of $21 were recorded for land and $929 for building and improvements during 2007 and are reported in “Plant closure charges” in the consolidated statements of income. In response to reduced industry demand for railcars, the Company’s manufacturing facility in Roanoke, Virginia ceased production of new railcars in July 2009 and as a result the Company tested long-lived assets at its Roanoke and Danville facilities for recoverability using estimated future cashflows derived from the Company’s strategic plan. There was no impairment identified for the Roanoke, Virginia and Danville, Illinois facilities as of December 31, 2009.

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During the second quarter of 2009, land, building and equipment at the Company’s Johnstown manufacturing facility, were classified as available for sale. The facility had a net book value of $2,478 at December 31, 2009, which included land, building and equipment in the amounts of $550, $1,468 (cost basis of $1,980) and $460 (cost basis of $20,050), respectively. During the fourth quarter of 2009 the Company entered into an agreement for the sale of the facility. The Company received $500 as a down payment on the sales price of $2,900 during December of 2009 and is scheduled to receive the remaining $2,400 in monthly installments of $200 beginning in January 2010. The Company accounted for the transaction under the “deposit method” as prescribed by ASC 360-20-40 as the buyers initial investment is less than 20% of sales price and other recognition criteria were not satisfied. As a result, the Company did not recognize any profit during 2009 or record the notes receivable and the property remains recorded within the Company’s financial statements as of December 31, 2009. The $500 down payment is included in “Customer deposits” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009. The estimated gain from the sale of the facility is $422 and is expected to be recognized during 2010.
Note 8 — Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consist of the following:
                 
    December 31,  
    2009     2008  
Patents
  $ 13,097     $ 13,097  
Accumulated amortization
    (9,195 )     (8,604 )
 
           
Patents, net of accumulated amortization
  $ 3,902     $ 4,493  
 
           
Patents are being amortized on a straight-line method over their remaining legal life from the date of acquisition. The weighted average remaining life of the Company’s patents is 7 years. Amortization expense related to patents, which is included in cost of sales, was $591 for each of the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. The Company estimates amortization expense for the year ending December 31, 2010 will be approximately $590, for each of the two years ending December 31, 2012 will be $586, for the year ending December 31, 2013 will be $582 and for the year ending December 31, 2014 will be $581.
Note 9 — Product Warranties
Warranty terms are based on the negotiated railcar sales contracts and typically are for periods of one to five years. The changes in the warranty reserve for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, are as follows:
                         
    December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
Balance at the beginning of the year
  $ 11,476     $ 10,551     $ 12,051  
Warranties issued during the year
    376       4,621       3,353  
Reductions for payments, costs of repairs and other
    (2,706 )     (3,696 )     (4,853 )
 
                 
Balance at the end of the year
  $ 9,146     $ 11,476     $ 10,551  
 
                 
Note 10 — Revolving Credit Facilities
On August 24, 2007, the Company entered into the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with the lenders party thereto (collectively, the “Lenders”) and LaSalle Bank National Association (“LaSalle”) as administrative agent (as amended by the First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2008 and the Second Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of March 11, 2009, the “Credit Agreement”). The proceeds of the revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement can be used to finance the working capital requirements of the Company through direct borrowings and the issuance of stand-by letters of credit. The Credit Agreement consists of a total facility of $50,000 senior secured revolving credit facility, including: (i) a sub-facility for letters of credit in an amount not to exceed $50,000; and (ii) a sub-facility for a swing line loan in an amount not to exceed $5,000. The amount available under the revolving credit facility is based on the lesser of (i) $50,000 or (ii) the borrowing base representing a portion of working capital calculated as a percentage of eligible accounts receivable plus percentages of eligible finished and semi-

51


 

finished inventory, less a $20,000 borrowing base reserve. Since the Company’s accounts receivable and inventory balances fluctuate considerably based on the cyclical nature of the business and the timing of orders, the amount available for borrowing also fluctuates considerably. Under the borrowing base calculation, the amount available for borrowing was $3,181 and $38,510 as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.
The Credit Agreement has a term ending on May 31, 2012 and bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus an applicable margin of between 1.50% and 2.25% depending on Revolving Loan Availability (as defined in the Credit Agreement). The Company is required to pay a commitment fee of between 0.175% and 0.250% based on Revolving Loan Availability. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are collateralized by substantially all of the assets of the Company and guaranteed by an unsecured guarantee made by JAIX in favor of LaSalle for the benefit of the Lenders. The Credit Agreement has both affirmative and negative covenants, including a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and limitations on debt, liens, dividends, investments, acquisitions and capital expenditures. The Credit Agreement also provides for customary events of default.
As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had no borrowings under the Credit Agreement. The Company had $1,154 and $11,490 in outstanding letters of credit under the letter of credit sub-facility as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. Under the revolving credit facility, the Company’s subsidiaries are permitted to pay dividends and transfer funds to the Company without restriction.
JAIX Revolving Credit Facility
On September 30, 2008, JAIX entered into a Credit Agreement (as amended by the First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of March 11, 2009, the “JAIX Credit Agreement”) with the lenders party thereto. The JAIX Credit Agreement consists of a $60,000 senior secured revolving credit facility. The JAIX Credit Agreement has a term ending on March 31, 2012 and bears interest at the Eurodollar Loan Rate (as defined in the JAIX Credit Agreement) plus 2.00% for the first two years of the JAIX Credit Agreement (the “Revolving Period”) and plus 2.50% for the remainder of the term until the termination date. JAIX is required to pay an annual commitment fee of 0.30% during the Revolving Period. Borrowings under the JAIX Credit Agreement are collateralized by substantially all of the assets of JAIX. Additionally, America guaranteed the JAIX Credit Agreement.
Availability under the JAIX Credit Agreement is based on a percentage of the Eligible Railcar Leases (as defined in the agreement) held under the JAIX Credit Agreement. For the first two years the facility requires interest only payments, thereafter the amount drawn on each group of Eligible Railcars under lease is required to be repaid in equal installments at the 6, 12 and 18 month anniversaries of such leases. The JAIX Credit Agreement has both affirmative and negative covenants, including, without limitation, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, a minimum tangible net worth, a requirement to deposit restricted cash and limitations on debt, liens, dividends, investments, acquisitions and capital expenditures. The JAIX Credit Agreement also provides for customary events of default. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had no borrowings under the JAIX Credit Agreement.
As of December 31, 2009, the Company was in compliance with all covenant requirements under its revolving credit facilities.

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Note 11 — Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consist of the following:
                         
    Pre-Tax     Tax     After-Tax  
December 31, 2006
  $ (33,566 )   $ 12,348     $ (21,218 )
 
                 
 
                       
Year ended December 31, 2007
                       
Pension liability activity
  $ 10,905     $ (4,037 )   $ 6,868  
Postretirement liability activity
    15,954       (5,905 )     10,049  
 
                 
 
  $ 26,859       (9,942 )   $ 16,917  
 
                 
 
                       
Year ended December 31, 2008
                       
Pension liability activity
  $ (12,141 )   $ 4,638     $ (7,503 )
Postretirement liability activity
    1,299       (410 )     889  
 
                 
 
  $ (10,842 )   $ 4,228     $ (6,614 )
 
                 
 
                       
Year ended December 31, 2009
                       
Pension liability activity
  $ 1,266     $ (481 )   $ 785  
Postretirement liability activity
    (4,643 )     1,747       (2,896 )
Change in foreign currency translation adjustments
    2             2  
Change in unrealized holding gains on securities available-for-sale, net of reclassification adjustment
    3       (1 )     2  
 
                 
 
  $ (3,372 )   $ 1,265     $ (2,107 )
 
                 
The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss consist of the following:
                 
    December 31,  
    2009     2008  
Unrecognized pension cost, net of tax of $6,681 and $7,162
  $ (11,055 )   $ (11,840 )
Unrecognized postretirement cost, net of tax of $4,549 and $2,801
    (7,527 )     (4,631 )
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $0
    2        
Unrealized holding gains on securities available-for-sale, net of reclassification adjustment of $9, net of tax of $1
    2        
 
           
 
  $ (18,578 )   $ (16,471 )
 
           
Note 12 — Employee Benefit Plans
The Company has qualified, defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all of the employees of JAC, Operations and JAIX. The Company uses a measurement date of December 31 for all of its employee benefit plans. Generally, contributions to the plans are not less than the minimum amounts required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and not more than the maximum amount that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes. The plans’ assets are held by independent trustees and consist primarily of equity and fixed income securities.
Pension benefits that accrued as a result of employee service before June 4, 1999 remained the responsibility of TTII, the former owner of JAC, FCS, JAIX and JAC Patent (for employee service during the period October 28, 1991 through June 3, 1999), or Bethlehem Steel Corporation (“Bethlehem”) (for employee service prior to October 28, 1991 through June 3, 1999), or Bethlehem Steel Corporation (“Bethlehem”) (for employee service prior to October 

53


 

28, 1991), the owner of JAC prior to TTII. The Company initiated new pension plans for such employees for service subsequent to June 3, 1999, which essentially provide benefits similar to the former plans.
The Company also provides certain postretirement health care benefits for certain of its retired salaried and hourly employees. Employees may become eligible for health care benefits if they retire after attaining specified age and service requirements. These benefits are subject to deductibles, co-payment provisions and other limitations.
Costs of benefits relating to current service for those employees to whom the Company is responsible to provide benefits are expensed currently. The changes in benefit obligation, change in plan assets and funded status as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, are as follows:
                                 
                    Postretirement  
    Pension Benefits     Benefits  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
Change in benefit obligation
                               
Benefit obligation—Beginning of year
  $ 59,688     $ 55,393     $ 60,657     $ 53,078  
Service cost
    408       1,128       58       69  
Interest cost
    3,843       3,370       3,949       3,231  
Plan amendment
                364        
Actuarial loss (gain)
    4,223       (6,884 )     4,520       (913 )
Special termination benefit loss
          10,111             8,866  
Benefits paid
    (6,700 )     (3,430 )     (6,257 )     (3,674 )
 
                       
Benefit obligation—End of year
    61,462       59,688       63,291       60,657  
 
                       
Change in plan assets
                               
Plan assets—Beginning of year
    32,999       44,973              
Actual return on plan assets
    7,051       (15,294 )            
Employer contributions
    12,566       6,750       6,257       3,674  
Benefits paid
    (6,700 )     (3,430 )     (6,257 )     (3,674 )
 
                       
Plan assets at fair value—End of year
    45,916       32,999              
 
                       
 
                               
Funded status of plans—End of year
  $ (15,546 )   $ (26,689 )   $ (63,291 )   $ (60,657 )
 
                       
                                 
                    Postretirement  
    Pension Benefits     Benefits  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
                               
Noncurrent assets
  $ 129     $ 75     $     $  
Current liabilities
                (5,329 )     (5,364 )
Noncurrent liabilities
    (15,675 )     (26,764 )     (57,962 )     (55,293 )
 
                       
Net amount recognized at December 31
  $ (15,546 )   $ (26,689     $ (63,291 )   $ (60,657 )
 
                       
The accumulated benefit obligation for the Company’s defined benefit pension plans was $61,462 and $57,361 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss but not yet recognized in earnings at December 31, 2009 and 2008, are as follows:
                                 
                    Postretirement  
    Pension Benefits     Benefits  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
Net actuarial loss
  $ 17,736     $ 18,113     $ 10,588     $ 6,067  
Prior service cost
          889       1,488       1,365  
 
                       
 
  $ 17,736     $ 19,002     $ 12,076     $ 7,432  
 
                       

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The estimated net loss and prior service cost for the defined benefit pension plan that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost in 2010 are $401 and $0, respectively. The estimated net loss and prior service cost for the postretirement benefit plan that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost in 2010 are $185 and $241, respectively. The Company’s decision in December 2007 to close its manufacturing facility in Johnstown, Pennsylvania significantly affected current and future employment levels and resulted in a decrease in the estimated remaining future service years for the employees covered by the plans. The decrease in the estimated remaining future service years resulted in plan curtailments for the defined benefit pension plans and the postretirement benefit plan and caused the Company to immediately recognize a substantial portion of the net actuarial loss and prior service cost relating to these plans that had not yet been recognized in earnings. Curtailment charges of $5,526 and $10,175 were recognized for the Company’s pension and postretirement plans, respectively during 2007. In addition, the plant closure decision triggered contractual special pension benefits of $10,111 and $8,952 that were recognized for the Company’s pension plan during 2008 and 2007, respectively, and contractual termination benefits of $8,866 and $3,028 that were recognized for the Company’s postretirement plan during 2008 and 2007, respectively. These pension and postretirement benefit costs are included in “Plant closure charges” on the consolidated statements of income.
As of December 31, 2009, the Company suspended its pension plan for salaried employees who are not part of a collective bargaining unit. As a result of this decision, the Company immediately recognized a substantial portion of the net actuarial loss and prior service cost relating to this plan that had not yet been recognized in earnings. Additional pension costs of $786 were recognized during 2009 related to this action.
Components of net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, are as follows:
                                                 
    Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  
    2009     2008     2007     2009     2008     2007  
Components of net periodic benefit cost
                                               
Service cost
  $ 408     $ 1,128     $ 2,229     $ 58     $ 69     $ 683  
Interest cost
    3,843       3,370       2,771       3,949       3,231       2,946  
Expected return on plan assets
    (2,943 )     (3,758 )     (3,508 )                  
Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost
    103             712       241       224       1,725  
Amortization of unrecognized net loss
    492       27       441             162       374  
Curtailment recognition
    786             5,526                   10,176  
Contractual benefit charge
          10,112       8,952             8,866       3,028  
 
                                   
Total net periodic benefit cost
  $ 2,689     $ 10,879     $ 17,123     $ 4,248     $ 12,552     $ 18,932  
 
                                   
The increase (decrease) in accumulated other comprehensive loss (pre-tax) for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, are as follows:
                                 
    2009     2008  
    Pension     Postretirement     Pension     Postretirement  
    Benefits     Benefits     Benefits     Benefits  
Net actuarial gain
  $ 115     $ 4,520     $ 12,168     $ (913 )
Amortization of net actuarial gain
    (492 )           (27 )     (162 )
Amortization of prior service cost
    (103 )     (241 )           (224 )
Prior service cost recognized through curtailment
    (786 )                  
Prior service cost arising during measurement period
          364              
 
                       
Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (gain)
  $ (1,266 )   $ 4,643     $ 12,141     $ (1,299 )
 
                       

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The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, were expected to be paid as of December 31, 2009:
                 
    Pension   Postretirement
    Benefits   Benefits
2010
  $ 5,756     $ 5,400  
2011
    5,604       5,300  
2012
    5,462       5,300  
2013
    5,140       5,200  
2014
    4,768       5,100  
The Company expects to make no contributions to its pension plans in 2010.
The assumptions used to determine end of year benefit obligations are shown in the following table:
                                 
                    Postretirement  
    Pension Benefits     Benefits  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
Discount rate
    5.76 %     6.85 %     5.76 %     6.85 %
Rate of compensation increase
    N/A       3.00 %                
The discount rate is determined using a yield curve model that uses yields on high quality corporate bonds (AA rated or better) to produce a single equivalent rate. The yield curve model excludes callable bonds except those with make-whole provisions, private placements and bonds with variable rates. Certain corporate bonds that are deemed not to be representative of equivalent yields on high-quality fixed income investments (outliers) are also excluded.
The assumptions used in the measurement of net periodic cost are shown in the following table:
                                                 
    Pension Benefits   Postretirement Benefits
    2009   2008   2007   2009   2008   2007
Discount rate
    6.85 %     6.40 %     5.90 %     6.85 %     6.40 %     5.90 %
Expected return on plan assets
    8.25 %     8.25 %     8.25 %                  
Rate of compensation increase
    3.00 %     3.00%-4.00 %     3.00%-4.00 %                  
Assumed health care cost trend rates at December 31 are set forth below:
                         
    2009   2008   2007
Health care cost trend rate assigned for next year
    9.00 %     9.00 %     9.00 %
Rate to which cost trend is assumed to decline
    5.50 %     5.50 %     5.50 %
Year the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate
    2016       2015       2014  
As benefits under these plans have been capped, assumed health care cost trend rates have no effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans.
The Company’s pension plans’ investment policy, weighted average asset allocations at December 31, 2009 and 2008, and target allocations for 2010, by asset category, are as follows:

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    Plan Assets at   Target
    December 31,   Allocation
    2009   2008   2010
Asset Category
                       
Equity securities
    48 %     56 %     60 %
Debt securities
    46 %     40 %     40 %
Real estate
    6 %     4 %     N/A  
Other
    0 %     0 %     N/A  
 
                       
 
    100 %     100 %     100 %
 
                       
The basic goal underlying the pension plan investment policy is to ensure that the assets of the plans, along with expected plan sponsor contributions, will be invested in a prudent manner to meet the obligations of the plans as those obligations come due under a broad range of potential economic and financial scenarios, maximize the long-term investment return with an acceptable level of risk based on such obligations, and broadly diversify investments across and within the capital markets to protect asset values against adverse movements in any one market. The Company’s investment strategy balances the requirement to maximize returns using potentially higher return generating assets, such as equity securities, with the need to manage the risk of such investments with less volatile assets, such as fixed-income securities. Investment practices must comply with the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) and any other applicable laws and regulations. The Company, in consultation with its investment advisors, has determined a targeted allocation of invested assets by category and it works with its advisors to reasonably maintain the actual allocation of assets near the target. During 2008, and in particular the fourth quarter of the year, equity market returns declined rapidly in general and in relation to debt market returns, causing a significant deviation in the actual allocation of assets from target. The Company is working with its advisors to address appropriate actions for the rebalancing of the investment portfolio.
The long term return on assets was estimated based upon historical market performance, expectations of future market performance for debt and equity securities and the related risks of various allocations between debt and equity securities. Numerous asset classes with differing expected rates of return, return volatility and correlations are utilized to reduce risk through diversification.
The following table presents the fair value of pension plan assets classified under the appropriate level of the ASC 820 fair value hierarchy (see Note 4 for a description of the fair value hierarchy) as of December 31, 2009:
                                 
    As of December 31, 2009  
Pension Plan Assets   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Equity securities
  $ 21,887     $     $     $ 21,887  
Debt securities
    21,437     $     $       21,437  
Real estate
    2,563     $     $       2,563  
Other (cash and cash equivalents)
    29     $     $       29  
 
                           
Total
  $ 45,916     $     $     $ 45,916  
 
                       
The Company also maintains qualified defined contribution plans, which provide benefits to their employees based on employee contributions, years of service, employee earnings or certain subsidiary earnings, with discretionary contributions allowed. Expenses related to these plans were $1,007, $1,628 and $1,421 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

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Note 13 — Income Taxes
The provision (benefit) for income taxes for the periods indicated includes current and deferred components as follows:
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
Current taxes
                       
Federal
  $ (10,729 )   $ 3,234     $ 22,244  
State
    (769 )     2,046       4,848  
 
                 
 
    (11,498 )     5,280       27,092  
 
                 
 
                       
Deferred taxes
                       
Federal
    12,358       1,823       (10,363 )
State
    (572 )     (992 )     (1,533 )
 
                 
 
    11,786       831       (11,896 )
 
                 
Interest and penalties expense, gross of related tax effects
    (40 )     658       193  
 
                 
Total
  $ 248     $ 6,769     $ 15,389  
 
                 
The provision (benefit) for income taxes for the periods indicated differs from the amounts computed by applying the federal statutory rate as follows:
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2009   2008   2007
Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate
    35.0 %     35.0 %     35.0 %
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit
    (13.9) %     (2.8 )%     1.9 %
Valuation allowance
    3.2 %     7.7 %     2.8 %
Goodwill amortization for tax reporting purposes
    (12.1 )%     (3.3 )%     (1.4 )%
Manufacturing deduction
          (0.4 )%     (3.4 )%
Nondeductible expenses
    0.7 %     0.3 %      
Rate change on deferred taxes
    (8.7 )%            
Other
    0.7 %     0.7 %     1.0 %
 
                       
Effective income tax rate
    4.9 %     37.2 %     35.9 %
 
                       
Deferred income taxes result from temporary differences in the financial and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Components of deferred tax assets (liabilities) consisted of the following:

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    December 31, 2009     December 31, 2008  
Description   Assets     Liabilities     Assets     Liabilities  
Accrued post-retirement and pension benefits-long-term
  $ 32,868     $     $ 33,909     $  
Intangible assets
          (212 )     533        
Accrued workers’ compensation costs
    747             1,137        
Accrued warranty costs
    3,941             5,302        
Accrued bonuses
    103             130        
Accrued vacation
    491             811        
Accrued contingencies
    4,289             4,580        
Accrued severance
    1,206             999        
Inventory valuation
    2,847             1,667        
Property, plant and equipment and railcars on operating leases
          (16,240 )           (8,249 )
State net operating loss carryforwards
    4,545             2,595        
Stock compensation expense
    1,014             961        
Other
    319             1,944        
 
                       
 
    52,370       (16,452 )     54,568       (8,249 )
Valuation allowance
    (7,195 )           (7,037 )      
 
                       
Deferred tax assets (liabilities)
  $ 45,175     $ (16,452 )   $ 47,531     $ (8,249 )
 
                       
Increase (decrease) in valuation allowance
  $ 158             $ 3,452          
 
                           
In the consolidated balance sheets, these deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified as current or noncurrent, based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting. A deferred tax asset or liability that is not related to an asset or liability for financial reporting, including deferred tax assets related to carryforwards, is classified according to the expected reversal date of the temporary differences as of the end of the year. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
In evaluating whether it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets will be realized, we considered both near-term and longer-term projections of operating results. The railcar industry is in the midst of an extended cyclical downturn. However, the railcar market has an established history of cyclicality based on significant swings in customer demand. Industry projections forecast this trend to continue, with a recovery in demand in 2011-2012 and continuing for several years thereafter. Although realization of our net deferred assets is not certain, management has concluded that, based on the expected improvement in railcar demand and, therefore, operating results, we will more likely than not realize the full benefit of the deferred tax assets except for our deferred tax assets in Pennsylvania. A valuation allowance of $7,195 and $7,037 has been recorded at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Company had Pennsylvania net operating loss carryforwards of $42,076, which will expire between 2021 and 2028. The Company also has provided a valuation allowance against net operating losses associated with its ventures in India and Mauritius, the foreign jurisdictions in which it operates. These are early stage operations for which it cannot yet be demonstrated that it is more likely than not the deferred tax assets will be realized. The losses associated with these jurisdictions will begin to expire in 2017 and 2014 respectively.

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A reconciliation of the beginning and ending gross amounts of unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, were as follows:
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
Beginning of year balance
  $ 4,352     $ 2,821     $ 2,638  
Increases in prior period tax positions
    17       163        
Decreases in prior period tax positions
    (361 )           (80 )
Increases in current period tax positions
          1,368       263  
Settlements
                 
         
End of year balance
  $ 4,008     $ 4,352     $ 2,821  
         
The total estimated unrecognized tax benefit that, if recognized, would affect the Company’s effective tax rate was approximately $2,643 and $2,736 as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 respectively. It is expected that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change in the next twelve months. Due to the nature of the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits, the Company does not expect changes in its unrecognized tax benefit reserve in the next twelve months to have a material impact on its financial statements. A change in the period of deductibility would not affect the effective tax rate but would impact the timing of cash payments to the taxing authorities and the calculation of interest and penalties. The Company’s income tax provision included $23 of benefit (net of a federal tax expense of $17) and $411 of expense (net of a federal tax benefit of $247) related to interest and penalties for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Such expenses brought the balance of accrued interest and penalties to $1,476 and $1,526 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
The Company and/or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns with the U.S. Federal government and in various state and foreign jurisdictions. A summary of tax years that remain subject to examination is as follows:
         
    Earliest Year
    Open To
Jurisdiction   Examination
U.S. Federal
    2006  
States:
       
Pennsylvania
    2003  
Virginia
    2006  
Illinois
    2006  
Foreign:
       
India
    2008  
Mauritius
    2009  
Note 14 — Stock-Based Compensation
On April 11, 2005, the Company adopted a stock option plan titled “The 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan” (the “Plan”). The Plan is intended to provide incentives to attract, retain and motivate employees and directors. The Company believes that such awards better align the interests of its employees and directors with those of its stockholders. The Plan provides for the grant to eligible persons of stock options, share appreciation rights, or SARs, restricted shares, restricted share units, or RSUs, performance shares, performance units, dividend equivalents and other share-based awards, referred to collectively as the awards. Option awards generally vest based on one to three years of service and have 10 year contractual terms. Share awards generally vest over one to three years. Certain option and share awards provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control (as defined in the Plan). The Plan was effective April 11, 2005 and will terminate as to future awards on April 11, 2015. Under the Plan, 1,659,616 shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance, of which 1,068,003 were available for issuance at December 31, 2009.
The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense for stock awards based on the grant-date fair value of the award. That cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, which is usually the vesting period.

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Stock-based compensation expense of $1,829, $2,852 and $2,804 is included within selling, general and administrative expense for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The total income tax benefit recognized on the income statement for share-based compensation arrangements was $689, $1,070 and $1,049 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
On May 12, 2009, the Company awarded 1,000 non-qualified stock options to an employee of the Company pursuant to its 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan. The stock options will vest in three equal annual installments beginning on May 12, 2010 and have a contractual term of 10 years. The exercise price of each option is $17.84, which was the fair market value of the Company’s stock on the date of the grant. The Company recognizes stock compensation expense based on the fair value of the award on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The estimated fair value of $8.13 per option will be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, which is usually the vesting period. The following assumptions were used to value the 2009 stock options: expected lives of the options of 6 years; expected volatility of 53.17%; risk-free interest rate of 2.02%; and expected dividend yield of 1.37%. Expected life in years was determined using the simplified method because the Company did not have sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate the expected term due to the limited period of time its shares have been publicly traded and the limited number of stock option grants to date. The Company believes that its option awards in 2009, which vest ratably over a three year period, qualify for use of the simplified method for “plain vanilla” options granted after December 31, 2007 as described in ASC 718 (formerly Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 110). Expected volatility was based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury bond rate for the expected life of the option. The expected dividend yield was based on the latest annualized dividend rate and the current market price of the underlying common stock on the date of the grant.
On January 13, 2008, the Company awarded 190,100 non-qualified stock options to certain employees of the Company pursuant to its 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan. The stock options will vest in three equal annual installments beginning on January 13, 2009 and have a contractual term of 10 years. The exercise price of each option is $30.47, which was the fair market value of the Company’s stock on the date of the grant. The Company recognizes stock compensation expense based on the fair value of the award on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The estimated fair value of $12.36 per option will be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, which is usually the vesting period. The following assumptions were used to value the 2008 stock options: expected lives of the options of 6 years; expected volatility of 40.78%; risk-free interest rate of 3.08%; and expected dividend yield of 0.79%. Expected life in years was determined using the simplified method because the Company did not have sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate the expected term due to the limited period of time its shares have been publicly traded and the limited number of stock option grants to date. The Company believes that its option awards in 2008, which vest ratably over a three-year period, qualify for use of the simplified method for “plain vanilla” options granted after December 31, 2007 as described in ASC 718 (formerly Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 110). Expected volatility was based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury bond rate for the expected life of the option. The expected dividend yield was based on the latest annualized dividend rate and the current market price of the underlying common stock on the date of the grant.
No stock options were issued in 2007 and 2006. The following assumptions were used to value the 2005 stock options: expected lives of the options ranging between 5.5 and 6.5 years, expected volatility of 35%, risk-free interest rates ranging between 4.17% and 4.24% and an expected dividend yield of 0.5%. Expected life in years is determined by using the simplified method allowed by the Securities and Exchange Commission in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of stock for comparable public companies and the implied volatility is derived from current publicly traded call option prices of comparable public companies. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury bond rate for the expected life of the option. The expected dividend yield is based on the latest annualized dividend rate and the current market price of the underlying common stock.

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Stock Option Activity
A summary of the Company’s stock options activity and related information at December 31, 2009 and 2008, and changes during the years then ended is presented below:
                                 
    December 31,  
    2009     2008  
            Weighted-             Weighted-  
            Average             Average  
            Exercise             Exercise  
    Options     Price     Options     Price  
    Outstanding     (per share)     Outstanding     (per share)  
Outstanding at the beginning of the year
    159,240     $ 31.69       64,968     $ 23.76  
Granted
    1,000       17.84       190,100       30.47  
Exercised
                (54,968 )     19.00  
Forfeited or expired
    (91,580 )     30.47       (40,860 )     30.47  
 
                           
Outstanding at the end of the year
    68,660     $ 33.12       159,240     $ 31.69  
 
                           
Exercisable at the end of the year
    29,227     $ 37.12       10,000     $ 49.90  
 
                           
A summary of the Company’s stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2009 is presented below:
                                 
            Weighted-        
            Average   Weighted-    
            Remaining   Average    
            Contractual   Exercise   Aggregate
    Options   Term   Price   Intrinsic
    Outstanding   (in years)   (per share)   Value
Options outstanding
    68,660       7.8     $ 33.12     $ 2  
Vested or expected to vest
    68,660       7.8     $ 33.12     $ 2  
Options exercisable
    29,227       7.3     $ 37.12        
There were no stock options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2009. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2008 was $767. The cash received from exercise of stock option awards was $1,045 during the year ended December 31, 2008. The actual tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from exercise of the stock option awards was $289 for the year ended December 31, 2008, of which $87 was recorded to additional paid in capital as excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation. As of December 31, 2009, there was $204 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested options, which will be recognized over the average remaining requisite service period of 1.1 years.
Nonvested Stock Activity
A summary of the Company’s nonvested shares as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and changes during the years then ended is presented below:

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    December 31,  
    2009     2008  
            Weighted-             Weighted-  
            Average             Average  
            Grant Date             Grant Date  
            Fair Value             Fair Value  
    Shares     (per share)     Shares     (per share)  
Nonvested at the beginning of the year
    78,774     $ 42.25       82,853     $ 53.38  
Granted
    41,589       17.95       48,547       31.47  
Vested
    (35,592 )     44.29       (46,186 )     52.51  
Forfeited or expired
    (11,272 )     28.57       (6,440 )     30.47  
 
                           
Nonvested at the end of the year
    73,499     $ 29.61       78,774     $ 42.25  
 
                           
Expected to vest
    73,499     $ 29.61       78,774     $ 42.25  
 
                           
The fair value of stock awards vested during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, was $781 and $1,724, respectively, based on the value at vesting date. The actual tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from vesting of stock awards was $255 and $650 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, of which ($355) and ($275), respectively was recorded to additional paid in capital as (tax deficiency)/excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation. As of December 31, 2009, there was $772 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested stock awards, which will be recognized over the average remaining requisite service period of 1.9 years.
Note 15 — Risks and Contingencies
The Company is involved in various warranty and repair claims and related threatened and pending legal proceedings with its customers in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the Company’s potential losses in excess of the accrued warranty provisions, if any, are not expected to be material to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
The Company relies upon third-party suppliers for railcar heavy castings, wheels and other components for its railcars. In particular, it purchases a substantial percentage of its railcar heavy castings and wheels from subsidiaries of one entity. The Company also relies upon a single supplier to manufacture all of its cold-rolled center sills for its railcars. Any inability by these suppliers to provide the Company with components for its railcars, any significant decline in the quality of these components or any failure of these suppliers to meet the Company’s planned requirements for such components may have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. While the Company believes that it could secure alternative manufacturing sources for these components, the Company may incur substantial delays and significant expense in doing so, the quality and reliability of these alternative sources may not be the same and the Company’s operating results may be significantly affected.
On September 29, 2008, Bral Corporation, a supplier of certain railcar parts to the Company, filed a complaint against the Company in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania (the “Pennsylvania Lawsuit”). The complaint alleges that the Company breached an exclusive supply agreement with Bral by purchasing parts from CMN Components, Inc. (“CMN”). On December 14, 2007, Bral sued CMN in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleging among other things that CMN interfered in the business relationship between Bral and the Company (the “Illinois Lawsuit”). On October 22, 2008, the Company entered into an Assignment of Claims Agreement with CMN under which CMN assigned the Company its counterclaims against Bral in the Illinois Lawsuit and the Company agreed to defend and indemnify CMN against Bral’s claims in that lawsuit. The parties have been conducting coordinated discovery in both matters. While the ultimate outcome of the Pennsylvania Lawsuit and the Illinois Lawsuit cannot be determined at this time, it is the opinion of management that the resolution of these lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
On a quarterly basis, the Company evaluates the potential outcome of all significant contingencies utilizing guidance provided in ASC 450 Contingencies (formerly,FASB Statement No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies). As required

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by ASC 450, the Company estimates the likelihood that a future event or events will confirm the loss of an asset or incurrence of a liability. When information available prior to issuance of the Company’s financial statements indicates that in management’s judgment, it is probable that an asset had been impaired or a liability had been incurred at the date of the financial statements and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated, the contingency is accrued by a charge to income. During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company recorded contingency losses of $3,884, related to this matter which is reported in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income in “Selling, general and administrative expense”.
In addition to the foregoing, the Company is involved in certain other threatened and pending legal proceedings, including commercial disputes and workers’ compensation and employee matters arising out of the conduct of our business. While the ultimate outcome of these other legal proceedings cannot be determined at this time, it is the opinion of management that the resolution of these other actions will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Note 16 — Other Commitments
The Company leases certain property and equipment under long-term operating leases expiring at various dates through 2016. The leases generally contain specific renewal or purchase options at lease-end at the then fair market amounts.
Future minimum lease payments at December 31, 2009 are as follows:
         
2010
  $ 2,587  
2011
    2,619  
2012
    2,656  
2013
    2,529  
2014
    2,317  
Thereafter
    1,060  
 
       
 
  $ 13,768  
 
       
The Company is liable for maintenance, insurance and similar costs under most of its leases and such costs are not included in the future minimum lease payments. Total rental expense for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, was approximately $2,332, $2,184 and $2,156, respectively.
The Company has aluminum purchase commitments, which are non-cancelable agreements to purchase fixed amounts of materials used in the manufacturing process. Purchase commitments are made at a fixed price and are typically entered into after a customer places an order for railcars. At December 31, 2009, the Company had aluminum purchase commitments of $1,146 for 2010.
The Company has wheel and axle purchase commitments consisting of a non-cancelable agreement with one of its suppliers to purchase materials used in the manufacturing process. The Company has center sill purchase commitments consisting of a non-cancelable agreement with one of its suppliers to purchase center sills used in the manufacturing process. The estimated amounts may vary based on the actual quantities and price. At December 31, 2009, the Company had wheel and axle purchase commitments of $22,726, $22,584, $23,939, $25,375 and $17,311 for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, and center sill purchase commitments of $0, $58 and $4,384 for 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively.
The Company has employment agreements with certain members of management which provide for base compensation, bonus, incentive compensation, employee benefits and severance payments under certain circumstances. The employment agreements generally have terms that range between two and three years and automatically extend for one-year periods until terminated prior to the end of the term by either party upon 90 days notice. Annual base compensation for the executives with employment agreements ranges between $216 and $340.

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Certain of the executives are entitled to participate in management incentive plans and other benefits as made available to the Company’s executives.
Note 17 – Earnings Per Share
The weighted average common shares outstanding are computed as follows:
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    11,861,366       11,788,400       12,115,712  
Dilutive effect of employee stock options and restricted share awards
    8,984       44,732       73,189  
 
                 
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding
    11,870,350       11,833,132       12,188,901  
 
                 
For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, 41,129, 103,037 and 70,940 shares, respectively, were not included in the weighted average common shares outstanding calculation as they were anti-dilutive.
Note 18 — Operating Segment and Concentration of Sales
The Company’s operations consist of a single reporting segment. The Company’s sales include new railcars, used railcars, leasing and other. The following table sets forth the Company’s sales resulting from new railcars, used railcars, leasing and other for the periods indicated below:
                         
    Year ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
New railcar sales
  $ 217,046     $ 712,432     $ 800,542  
Used railcar sales
    818       14,368       5,928  
Parts sales
    17,406       14,798       9,903  
Leasing revenues
    5,812       2,955       39  
Other sales
    7,380       1,837       613  
 
                 
 
  $ 248,462     $ 746,390     $ 817,025  
 
                 
Due to the nature of its operations, the Company is subject to significant concentration of risks related to business with a few customers. Sales to the Company’s top three customers accounted for 15%, 15% and 14%, respectively, of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009. Sales to the Company’s top three customers accounted for 22%, 21% and 10%, respectively, of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008. Sales to the Company’s top three customers accounted for 15%, 11% and 11%, respectively, of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Note 19 — Labor Agreements
A collective bargaining agreement at one of the Company’s facilities covered approximately 29% and 41% of the Company’s active labor force at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, under an agreement that expires in October 2012.

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An additional collective bargaining agreement at a different facility covered approximately 10% of the Company’s active labor force at December 31, 2008. The facility has been idled since July 2009. The agreement was ratified on February 1, 2006 and expires on January 31, 2011.
Note 20 — Related Party Transactions
In June 1999, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a consulting agreement with one of the Company’s directors, which provided that he would provide the Company with consulting services on all matters relating to the Company’s business and that of the Company’s subsidiaries. The agreement provided for a consulting fee of $50 per year. Payments for these services totaled $13 for the year ended December 31, 2008 and $50 for the year ended December 31, 2007. This agreement expired in April 2008.
Note 21 — Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
     (Dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)
Quarterly financial data is as follows:
                                 
    First Quarter   Second Quarter   Third Quarter   Fourth Quarter
2009
                               
Sales
  $ 39,563     $ 104,328     $ 55,131     $ 49,440  
Gross profit
    10,295       15,983       6,879       3,365  
Net income (loss) attributable to FreightCar America(2)
    2,397       7,022       1,069       (5,548 )
Net income (loss) per common share attributable to FreightCar America— basic(2)
    0.20       0.59       0.09       (0.47 )
Net income (loss) per common share attributable to FreightCar America— diluted(2)
  $ 0.20     $ 0.59     $ 0.09     $ (0.47 )
 
                               
2008
                               
Sales
  $ 95,098     $ 141,335     $ 238,008     $ 271,949  
Gross profit
    9,223       7,396       22,588       27,587  
Net (loss) income attributable to FreightCar America(1)
    (10,254 )     (368 )     10,043       12,000  
Net (loss) income per common share attributable to FreightCar America— basic(1)
    (0.87 )     (0.03 )     0.85       1.01  
Net (loss) income per common share attributable to FreightCar America— diluted(1)
  $ (0.87 )   $ (0.03 )   $ 0.85     $ 1.01  
 
(1)   Results for the first quarter of 2008 include plant closure charges of $18.3 million (See Note 3, Plant Closure Charges for a description of these actions).
 
(2)   Results for the fourth quarter of 2009 include severance costs of $3.1 million.

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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, management evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), as of the end of the period covered by our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 (the “Evaluation Date”). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.
Background of Restatement
On July 28, 2009, the Company announced that it had identified historical accounting errors relating to accounts payable and subsequently restated its financial statements for 2007, 2008, and the first quarter of 2009.
Description of 2008 Material Weaknesses
A material weakness in internal control over financial reporting is defined as a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
As a result of the restatement described above, management identified the following control deficiencies as of December 31, 2008 that constituted material weaknesses:
System Change Controls
The Company’s controls to test changes in its information system did not operate effectively. Upon implementation, the third-party inventory processing system was not appropriately tested prior to migration to the production environment. As a result, inaccurate and incomplete programming logic was utilized in the third-party inventory processing system.
Inventory Valuation Controls
The Company’s controls to value assembled components did not operate effectively. The third-party inventory processing system did not consistently or accurately calculate inventory values or appropriately relieve the corresponding unvouchered payables to the cost of the assembled components. As a result, inaccurate amounts were recorded to inventories, cost of sales, leased assets held for sale, railcars on operating leases, and unvouchered payables.
Account Reconciliation Controls
The Company’s controls to reconcile unvouchered payables were not designed effectively. The reconciliation did not contain a sufficient level of detail or analysis to detect errors in the account balance. As a result, misstatements in the unvouchered payables account were not detected in a timely manner.

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These material weaknesses resulted in material errors for 2007, 2008, and the first quarter of 2009 recorded within inventories, cost of sales, leased assets held for sale, railcars on operating leases, and unvouchered payables.
REMEDIATION STEPS TO ADDRESS MATERIAL WEAKNESSES
In response to the material weaknesses identified above, management, under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, proposed and implemented the measures described below to address the material weaknesses, in addition to the implementation of the new ERP system that was already in progress. This remediation effort was intended both to address the identified material weaknesses and to enhance the Company’s overall financial control environment.
ERP System
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, management, after a thorough evaluation of its current information technology systems and its future needs, determined to upgrade its existing information technology system to a fully integrated ERP system to be provided by Oracle Corporation. Design, implementation and testing of the core operating system was completed in August 1, 2009. Management believes that the integrated and standardized features of the new system have eliminated certain of the design limitations that contributed to the material weaknesses, supplemented by manual procedures to ensure the proper processing of vendor credit memos and differences between estimated and actual surcharges on third-party inventory. Included in these improvements is the elimination of non-integrated stand-alone operating and general ledger systems. While efforts continue in redesigning certain processes, management expects the ERP system, once fully customized, to significantly improve the Company’s internal control framework.
Inventory Valuation
The implementation of the Oracle ERP system has enhanced the inventory valuation process by providing direct costing of the perpetual inventories as dictated by purchase order pricing. To ensure the accuracy of the inventory valuations, manual procedures have been added to continually evaluate pricing variances created during the processing of vendor invoices. Additionally, preventive controls are being implemented through the Oracle system to monitor the pricing of new purchase orders.
Account Reconciliations
Management revised its policies and procedures for the reconciliation of significant balance sheet accounts to provide for a more robust and detailed reconciliation to support month-end and quarterly balances. In connection with the implementation of the ERP system, management implemented a procedure governing the reconciliation of the unvouchered payables account, inventories, and other accounts, which was distributed to the appropriate accounting and supervisory personnel prior to the end of the third quarter of 2009, and utilized in the third and fourth quarters of 2009.
Additionally, the Company has performed substantive manual procedures in an effort to ensure that the financial information reflected in this report is supported and the financial statements are fairly presented as of the date of this report. Under the direction of the Audit Committee, management will continue to review and make necessary changes to the overall design of the system of internal controls and the control environment, as well as policies and procedures to improve the overall effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management, under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act, is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and effected by the board of directors, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial

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reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
    pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
    provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP;
    provide reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with appropriate authorization of management and the board of directors; and
    provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
As of the end of the Company’s 2009 fiscal year, management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on the framework established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this assessment, management has determined that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 is effective.
The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein.
Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls
The Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
During the quarter ended September 30, 2009, the Company implemented an Oracle ERP system. During the third and fourth quarters of 2009, the Company modified certain existing internal controls related to the processes that were affected by the implementation of the ERP system. Apart from this implementation, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the last fiscal quarter of 2009 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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Item 9B. Other Information.
None.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
Information required to be disclosed by this item is hereby incorporated by reference to the information under the captions “Governance of the Company,” “Stock Ownership,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and “Executive Compensation” in our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A, which Proxy Statement is anticipated to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Information required to be disclosed by this item is hereby incorporated by reference to the information under the captions “Executive Compensation”, “Board of Directors”, “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Director Compensation for the Year Ended December 31, 2009” in our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A, which Proxy Statement is anticipated to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
Information required to be disclosed by this item is hereby incorporated by reference to the information under the captions “Stock Ownership” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A, which Proxy Statement is anticipated to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
Information required to be disclosed by this item is hereby incorporated by reference to the information under the captions “Certain Transactions” and “Board of Directors” in our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A, which Proxy Statement is anticipated to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
Information required to be disclosed by this item is hereby incorporated by reference to the information under the caption “Fees of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and Audit Committee Report” in our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A, which Proxy Statement is anticipated to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
Exhibits
(a) Documents filed as part of this report:

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The following financial statements are included in this Form10-K:
1. Consolidated Financial Statements of FreightCar America, Inc. and Subsidiaries
     Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
     Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008.
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
2. Financial Statement Schedule
The following financial statement schedule is a part of this Form 10-K and should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements.
Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
All other financial statement schedules are omitted because such schedules are not required or the information required has been presented in the aforementioned financial statements.
3. The exhibits listed on the “Exhibit Index” to this Form 10-K are filed with this Form 10-K or incorporated by reference as set forth below.
(b)   The exhibits listed on the “Exhibit Index” to this Form 10-K are filed with this Form 10-K or incorporated by reference as set forth below.
 
(c)   Additional Financial Statement Schedules
     None.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
         
  FREIGHTCAR AMERICA, INC.
 
 
Date: March 15, 2010  By:   /s/ Edward J. Whalen    
    Edward J. Whalen, President and   
    Chief Executive Officer   
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
         
Signature   Title   Date
 
 
/s/ Edward J. Whalen
 
Edward J. Whalen
  President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Director   March 15, 2010
 
       
/s/ Christopher L. Nagel
 
Christopher L. Nagel
  Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)   March 15, 2010
 
       
/s/ Thomas M. Fitzpatrick
 
Thomas M. Fitzpatrick
  Chairman of the Board and Director   March 15, 2010
 
       
/s/ James D. Cirar
 
James D. Cirar
  Director    March 12, 2010
 
       
/s/ William D. Gehl
 
William D. Gehl
  Director    March 12, 2010
 
       
/s/ Thomas A. Madden
 
Thomas A. Madden
  Director    March 15, 2010
 
       
/s/ S. Carl Soderstrom
 
S. Carl Soderstrom
  Director    March 12, 2010
 
       
/s/ Robert N. Tidball
 
Robert N. Tidball
  Director    March 15, 2010

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FreightCar America, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
For the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

(in thousands)
                                 
                    Accounts Charged    
                    Off and Recoveries    
            Additions Charged   of Amounts    
    Balance at   to Costs and   Previously Written    
    Beginning of Period   Expenses   Off   Balance at End of Period
Year Ended December 31, 2009
                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 330     $ 56     $ (146 )   $ 240  
Deferred tax assets valuation allowance
    7,037       158             7,195  
Inventory reserve
    150       1,168     $ (150 )     1,168  
 
                               
Year Ended December 31, 2008
                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 223     $ 107     $     $ 330  
Deferred tax assets valuation allowance
    3,585       3,452             7,037  
Inventory reserve
    1,177           $ (1,027 )     150  
 
                               
Year Ended December 31, 2007
                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 191     $ 47     $ (15 )   $ 223  
Deferred tax assets valuation allowance
    2,921       664             3,585  
Inventory reserve
          1,951     $ (774 )     1,177  
 
                               

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EXHIBIT INDEX
     
3.1
  Certificate of Ownership and Merger of FreightCar America, Inc. into FCA Acquisition Corp., as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 7, 2006).
 
   
3.2
  Third Amended and Restated By-laws of FreightCar America, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report filed on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 28, 2007).
 
   
4.1
  Form of Registration Rights Agreement, by and among FreightCar America, Inc., Hancock Mezzanine Partners, L.P., John Hancock Life Insurance Company, Caravelle Investment Fund, L.L.C., Trimaran Investments II, L.L.C., Camillo M. Santomero, III, and the investors listed on Exhibit A attached thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Registration Statement Nos. 333-123384 and 333-123875 filed with the Commission on April 4, 2005).
 
   
10.1
  Letter Agreement, dated as of January 26, 2010, by and between FreightCar America, Inc. and Edward J. Whalen (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 26, 2010).
 
   
10.2
  Employment Agreement, dated as of January 14, 2009, by and between FreightCar America, Inc. and Christopher L. Nagel (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 17, 2008).
 
   
10.3
  Employment Agreement, dated as of January 10, 2008, by and between FreightCar America, Inc. and Nicholas J. Matthews (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed with the Commission on March 13, 2009).
 
   
10.4
  Employment agreement of Laurence M. Trusdell dated as of June 11, 2007, by and between FreightCar America, Inc. and Laurence M. Trusdell.
 
   
10.5
  Amendment to employment agreement of Laurence M. Trusdell dated as of December 29, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed with the Commission on March 13, 2009).
 
   
10.6
  Amendment to employment agreement of Nicholas J. Matthews dated as of December 29, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed with the Commission on March 13, 2009).
 
   
10.7
  FreightCar America, Inc. 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan (Restated to incorporate all Amendments) (incorporated by reference to Appendix I to the Company’s Proxy Statement for the annual meeting of stockholders held on May 14, 2008 filed with the Commission on April 8, 2008).
 
   
10.8
  Form of Restricted Share Award Agreement for the Company’s employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 12, 2005).
 
   
10.9
  Form of Restricted Share Award Agreement for the Company’s independent directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 27, 2006).
 
   
10.10
  Form of Restricted Share Award Agreement for the Company’s employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 15, 2008).

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10.11
  Form of Stock Option Award Agreement for the Company’s employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 15, 2008).
 
   
10.12
  Lease Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2004, by and between Norfolk Southern Railway Company and Johnstown America Corporation (the “Lease Agreement”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to Registration Statement Nos. 333-123384 and 333-123875 filed with the Commission on April 4, 2005).*
 
   
10.13
  Amendment to the Lease Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005).*
 
   
10.14
  Second Amendment to the Lease Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2008, by and between Norfolk Southern Railway Company and Johnstown America Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008 filed with the Commission on May 12, 2008).
 
   
10.15
  Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2007, by and among Johnstown America Corporation, Freight Car Services, Inc., JAC Operations, Inc., JAIX Leasing Company and FreightCar Roanoke, Inc. as the Co-Borrowers, the lenders party thereto, LaSalle Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent and Arranger, and National City Business Credit, Inc., as Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 28, 2007).
 
   
10.16
  First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2008, by and among Johnstown America Corporation, Freight Car Services, Inc., JAC Operations, Inc., JAIX Leasing Company and FreightCar Roanoke, Inc., as the Co-Borrowers, the lenders party thereto and LaSalle Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 6, 2008).
 
   
10.17
  Second Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 11, 2009, by and among Johnstown America Corporation, Freight Car Services, Inc., JAC Operations, Inc., JAIX Leasing Company and FreightCar Roanoke, Inc., as the Co-Borrowers, the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as successor by merger to LaSalle Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed with the Commission on March 13, 2009).
 
   
10.18
  Guarantee Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2008, by JAIX Leasing Company in favor of LaSalle Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 6, 2008).
 
   
10.19
  Credit Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2008, by and among JAIX Leasing Company, as Borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, the lenders party thereto and Banc of America Securities LLC, as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 6, 2008).
 
   
10.20
  First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of March 11, 2009, by and among JAIX Leasing Company, as Borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, the lenders party thereto and Banc of America Securities LLC, as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed with the Commission on March 13, 2009).

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10.21
  Guarantee Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2008, by FreightCar America, Inc. in favor of Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 6, 2008)
 
   
10.22
  Management Incentive Plan of Johnstown America Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to Registration Statement Nos. 333-123384 and 333-123875 filed with the Commission on March 17, 2005).
 
   
10.23
  FreightCar America, Inc. Executive Severance Plan (and Summary Plan Description) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on September 30, 2009)
 
   
10.24
  Form of Letter of Resignation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 19, 2006).
 
   
10.25
  Letter of Resignation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 29, 2007).
 
   
21
  Subsidiaries of FreightCar America, Inc.
 
   
23
  Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
 
   
31.1
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
   
31.2
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
   
32
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
*   Confidential treatment has been granted for the redacted portions of this exhibit. A complete copy of the exhibit, including the redacted portions, has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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