Ladies and gentlemen, good morning and welcome to the FreightCar America Inc. first quarter 2008 earnings conference call. At this time, all participants' lines are in a listen-only mode. There will be an opportunity for your questions at the end of today's presentation. Please note this conference call is being recorded. An audio replay of the conference call will be available beginning at 1:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time today until 11:59 pm Eastern Daylight Time on May 8, 2008. To access the replay, please dial 800-475-6701. The replay pass code is 919482. An audio replay of the call will be available on the company's web site within two days following this earnings call. I'd now like to turn the conference over to Kevin P. Bagby, Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of FreightCar America. Mr. Bagby, please go ahead.

Thank you, Cathy. Before we begin, we'd like to remind everyone that statements made during this conference call related to the company's expected future performance or future business prospects, events and plans may include forward-looking statements as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Certain risks and uncertainties may cause forward-looking statements to differ from actual results, including, among other things, the cyclicality of our business, adverse economic and market conditions, fluctuating costs of raw materials and additional risk factors described in our earnings release for the first quarter 2008 and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this call. We expressly disclaim any duty to provide updates to our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Our earnings release for the first quarter 2008 is posted on the company's web site at www.freightcaramerica.com. I'd now like to turn the call over to Chris Ragot, our President and CEO.

Thank you, Kevin, good morning. Joining Kevin and me today is Ed Whalen, our Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales. We'd like to welcome you to FreightCar America's first quarter 2008 earnings call. We're going to discuss the highlights of the company's performance in the first quarter and Kevin will provide a detailed review of our financial performance. The macroeconomic trends and specifically the performance of the railcar sector significantly impacted our financial results on both a year-over-year and sequential comparison. Total sales revenues in the first quarter of 2008 were $95.1 million, while net income was $1.1 million and earnings per share were $0.10 on a fully diluted basis. While we've certainly felt the pressure of this difficult operating environment, our continued execution on our strategy of reducing the manufacturing footprint and a broad focus on cost reduction has positioned us to weather the current industry cycle. Regarding the railroad market, U.S. and Canadian commodity rail loadings for the first quarter 2008 were essentially flat when compared with the first quarter of 2007 levels, while coal car loadings for the quarter were above the 2007 level by 2.8%. Demand for export coal has significantly increased as global supplies tighten. Coal export activity increased 19.2% in 2007 as compared to 2006 levels. This boost in activity has carried over into the first quarter and is expected to continue throughout 2008, providing a positive impact on car loadings over the remainder of this year. This spike in demand is being driven by several factors including increased industrialization and attendant demand for coal-fired electricity generation in the developing world, including India and China. Increased levels of coal inventories in the electric power sector persist, however, recent data indicates that inventories at Eastern utilities have declined as domestic demand competes with robust…

Thank you, Chris. Today, I'm going to expand the scope of my comments to include order and backlog activities, in addition to the financial information usually presented. FreightCar America order activity in the fourth quarter was 2,673 units, which was an increase from the 2,074 units received in the fourth quarter of 2007. Our total backlog of unfilled orders was 6,785 railcars at the end of the first quarter compared with 5,399 units at December 31, 2007 and 6,006 units at March 31, 2007. Our backlog at March 31, 2008 includes 1,450 units under firm operating leases with independent third parties. As is typical in this industry, our orders remain lumpy and we expect to see similar industry trends for the foreseeable future. Our sales revenue for the first quarter of 2008 was $95.1 million and that compares with $322.5 million for the same period in 2007. The decrease is attributed primarily to lower industry volume as well as lower demand for coal cars. In addition, the railcar sector continues to be affected by intense pricing competition, including below-market lease rates. Railcar deliveries totaled 1,287 units in the quarter and that compares to 4,077 units in the same period in 2007. Average selling price increased in the first quarter of 2008 as compared with the first quarter of 2007, reflecting a shift in our product mix to car types with different material costs. Our gross margin for the quarter was $9.2 million and that compares to $44.1 million for the first quarter of 2007, a decrease of $34.9 million. The corresponding margin rate was 9.6% compared with 13.7% generated in the first quarter of 2007. The change in margin rate was driven primarily by lower volume and related leverage, as well as an aggressive pricing environment. While the Johnstown plant…

Thank you, Kevin. We face a challenging macroeconomic environment and intensive competition. Our management team is focused on improving our cost structure and our competitive position, which will benefit FCA as the market returns to normalized production levels. In closing, I'd like to thank you for your interest in our company and for participating in today's call. We look forward to updating you again during our next conference phone call. We're now ready for questions, Cathy.

Thank you. (Operator instructions) Our first question comes from the line of Michael Gallo with CLK. Please go ahead. Michael Gallo – CLK: Hi, good morning.

Good morning, Michael. Michael Gallo – CLK: Question I have is, I guess when we look at the coal markets in general, certainly there's been a significant improvement in the markets over the last three or four months, obviously some early signs that some of the producers are looking at ways, certainly to increase their capacity, given the substantial margins they are able to make in the marketplace today. I was wondering if you are seeing any signs of life to suggest that we've seen the bottoms of that market and we should start to see some more steady improvement as the year progresses. Any further color you can give on what you see in that market? Thank you.

In terms of the coal market itself or the coal car market? Michael Gallo – CLK: The coal car market as it relates to the coal market.

I'd say it appears that we are at or near bottom. It's difficult to pick that exact point but there does appear to be some improvement going on at this point. Michael Gallo – CLK: Would you expect to see some improvement in the order rates as we go forward through the year? Certainly your backlog overall has increased the last couple of quarters, but is there something on the horizon, i.e. are we starting to see some of the cars in underground storage get burned off? Or are we just starting to see an anticipation of an improvement as we get into the back half of the year?

We have seen some reduction in coal cars in storage over the last several months, which is a positive sign. Future orders are primarily transactionally oriented and so it's very much geared to needs for additional power plants or change over from steel to aluminum cars or whatever. So, that's not necessarily indicative of when the order pattern will improve. Michael Gallo – CLK: But inevitably it sounds like overall things seem to be improving in that marketplace, is that a fair characterization?

Well, in terms of the fact that existing cars appear to be going back into service, I'd agree with that. Michael Gallo – CLK: Okay, perfect. The second question I have is if you could just comment on the decision to selectively get into the leasing business. I was wondering if you can comment on what drove that decision and also whether you view it as potentially putting you into competition with some of your financial customers.

Well, I think at this time regarding our financial customers, our leasing partners, we continue to work very closely with them. And we package some of the lease deals that we've taken and we found that our partners in some cases are willing to work with us. So, I think the relationship with our leasing partners continues to be good. As far as getting into a selective and limited basis in the leasing business, and we've chosen to do that because of the market conditions that we've in front of us right now. I'd say that long term, we continue to explore whether or not we want to make a more long-term strategic move here. But in the short term, we are doing this, as we said before, very selectively and on a limited basis. Michael Gallo – CLK: Great. And then final question, obviously we haven't had anything yet regarding TXU. I assume, or any potential orders there. I know they had originally planned to take delivery late this year or early next year, obviously those orders have been put on hold. I was wondering if there's any update in terms of whether you expect something to occur on that later this year. Thanks.

They remain in need of cars in the future and I really can't comment on the exact timing of their need. But they are going to require cars going forward here. Michael Gallo – CLK: Okay, great, thanks a lot.

Thank you, Michael.

Our next question comes from the line of Steve Barger with KeyBanc Capital Markets. Please go ahead. Steve Barger – KeyBanc Capital Markets: Good morning.

Good morning.

Hi, Steve. Steve Barger – KeyBanc Capital Markets: Can you discuss the order levels so far in 2Q '08? Have you booked anything?

Yes, we have. And I don't know we are in a position right now to expose that, but the order activity level for Q2 is, I'd say we are content with it at this time. Steve Barger – KeyBanc Capital Markets: Content, okay. Is the idled facility back on line?

Yes. Steve Barger – KeyBanc Capital Markets: Did that just come up recently or was it in the beginning of 2Q or just a few weeks ago?

Actually, it was late Q1. We idled it for a partial period in Q1. Steve Barger – KeyBanc Capital Markets: Okay. Of the 47 plants that you talked about that are under construction, near construction or permitted, can you tell me how many are actually under construction right now?

Right now, I don't have that number in front of me.

Yes, I think it's about 15.

Yes, I'd say it's between 15 to 20 in that range. Steve Barger – KeyBanc Capital Markets: 15 to 20 actually have broken ground, the rest are just in the early stages?

Other stages that we've already talked about today. Steve Barger – KeyBanc Capital Markets: Okay. It was interesting to me that you talked about the leasing environment from other competitors being very aggressive and you don't think they're covering their cost of capital. Yet because of the cycle that's something you want to get involved with and you're talking to lenders. I guess can you just round out for us why you can be more successful in this environment and what the value proposition is of you getting involved in leasing?

I think leasing is a piece of it, Steve. I think what we are trying to do is really focus the lifecycle of the product itself and looking to enhance the value proposition. So, it's not just selling cars, we also want to have, when it's necessary, the ability to lease cars while not disintermediating our leasing partners. Then also offering downstream, the after-market capabilities of offering peace of mind to our customers in a way that isn't present in the market today. So, if you look at it from cradle to grave, we are spending a lot of time focusing on those type of services that go beyond the product, that will enhance the value proposition. Steve Barger – KeyBanc Capital Markets: I understand. In terms of where orders are coming from right now, whether the ones you just booked or for this quarter, is it more shippers or the Class Is or lease leads? Can you directionally tell us where those are coming from? And is that changing? Are you seeing different trends and who's actually interested in buying cars right now?

It's primarily being driven by shippers and Class Is. And that moves around based on the demand. Steve Barger – KeyBanc Capital Markets: Okay. One last question and I'll get back in line. Are you seeing inquiries being driven by changes to the coal shipping point? Can you talk about utilization rates in the east versus the west?

Utilization rates are quite high in both locations. As I mentioned earlier, we've seen a reduction in cars in storage in the system, so utilization rates are quite high. They're not fully utilized but much better than they were say three months ago. Steve Barger – KeyBanc Capital Markets: Right. So, I guess the question is, if utilization rates are higher in the east because of export activity, are you seeing more people wanting to pull coal from the Powder River Basin to replace those tons? Will there not be a fundamental shift in how coal is used geographically in the U.S.?

I think it's price-related and there's a continued migration of coal from the west into the southeast that's going on. Steve Barger – KeyBanc Capital Markets: Okay. Thanks, I'll get back in line.

Thanks, Steve.

Our next question comes from the line of Bob Schenosky with Jefferies. Please go ahead. Bob Schenosky – Jefferies & Co.: Good morning, thank you.

Hi, Bob.

Good morning, Bob, how are you? Bob Schenosky – Jefferies & Co.: Good, how are you?

Good. Bob Schenosky – Jefferies & Co.: I've got a couple for you here. First, in terms of the competitiveness on pricing, are you aware that if this is your competitors trying to get excessive cars out or if this is for new orders?

There has to be a customer for the car in order to have it go into service. So, there must be an order there I'd imagine. Bob Schenosky – Jefferies & Co.: No, I understand that. What I'm saying is, is your competitor here sitting on inventory that they are selling off very cheaply or is it for new production?

I think it is new production, at least our assessment is. Bob Schenosky – Jefferies & Co.: Okay. Can you discuss the backlog and timing a little bit in a couple of different ways, first off, the breakdown of coal versus non-coal? Then secondly, we've seen in the Class A truck market previously where, if there's sluggishness in the end market that what truckers will do is they will push out orders as opposed to canceling orders. So, can you give us any color at all in terms of what potentially could be of the number that you have there today, would be delivered in '08 versus being potentially pushed into '09?

Yes, we are thinking about 95% of it's '08 delivery. We haven't had any push out in order activity. The increase in order activity we did receive was for '08 deliveries. So, that's the way I'd characterize the backlog today. Bob Schenosky – Jefferies & Co.: Okay. And then, what about coal versus non-coal?

Yes, most of the backlog is coal right now. Bob Schenosky – Jefferies & Co.: Okay. Just one more if I could. Your average price per car obviously sequentially has gone up about $9,000 a car. Can you talk about what is making that up in terms of, is it mix, transport cost for any export orders which run through your P&L? And then, any changes because of metals prices?

It's more related to the car type it is, Bob. We have, as you know, different car types like hybrid cars and stainless steel cars. That's really what's causing the average price increase. So, as you know, the material cost itself will affect the price, that's really what's driving it. Bob Schenosky – Jefferies & Co.: Okay. I'm sorry, just one quick one. In terms of Johnstown, do you expect any additional cost through the year related to that closure?

Bob, we are in a position right now where our legal people are telling us we are not to disclose anything with respect to Johnstown beyond what was in the prepared remarks. As you know, we are in negotiations and it's a little difficult to project how that will come out. Bob Schenosky – Jefferies & Co.: Okay fair enough. Thanks for your time.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Your next question comes from the line of Paul Bodnar with Longbow Research. Please go ahead. Kerri Butcher – Longbow Research: Hi, this is Kerri Butcher calling in for Paul Bodnar.

Good morning, Kerri. Kerri Butcher – Longbow Research: Good morning, hi. I just have a couple of quick questions. I was wondering if you could breakout revenues from refurbishment and also from leasing income for the quarter.

Yes, I don't have those revenue breakouts for it right now. Kerri Butcher – Longbow Research: Okay, so no break outs right now. But I'm trying to get a calculation on the revenue per car, could you tell me if in general the margins for refurbishment and leasing income are pretty high? Or could you give me it in terms of percentage points?

We don't disclose that information for competitive reasons. Kerri Butcher – Longbow Research: Okay, that's all right. And also, I have a couple of questions on your leasing fleet. Could you tell me what types of cars you're planning on leasing?

We are leasing primarily coal cars. Kerri Butcher – Longbow Research: Coal cars, okay. And then in the future, are you planning on continuing to grow the fleet and lease coal cars?

I think as Chris pointed out, this is a tactical reaction to the marketplace right now and we are still reviewing the potential in the market for the future. Kerri Butcher – Longbow Research: Okay. And then, one last question, I'm not sure if you mentioned this before but could you tell us what percentage of sales for the quarter came from coal cars?

We don't disclose that information. Kerri Butcher – Longbow Research: Okay. All right, well thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Your next question comes from the line of Zack Turnage with Harbert Management. Please go ahead. Zack Turnage – Harbert Management: Yes, if you look at your backlog and assume it is to be delivered over four quarters, that would imply roughly 1,700 cars per order. Looking at the current pricing environment as well as what you guys are doing on the cost side, what gross margin would that imply? Thanks.

It's a little difficult to tell where things are going. As we talked about, there are material price increases or surcharges. Surcharges are a little difficult to estimate. So, it's difficult to say where the margin rate's going to go, we are fairly comfortable with where it is today. But there are other issues beyond on our control which could affect that performance. Zack Turnage – Harbert Management: Could you comment on SG&A going forward?

I think we are reasonably comfortable where it is right now. We had some transition costs in 2007 that ran through the SG&A along with some other costs related to primarily Johnstown and issues there. So, we are reasonably comfortable with what it is today. Zack Turnage – Harbert Management: As far as the leases that you guys currently have, will they cover the cost of capital?

We are still looking at those leases. As you know, we've a unique situation there where in some cases we are leasing the cars, in other cases we are packaging and selling. So, we are still evaluating that. Zack Turnage – Harbert Management: Thank you.

Thank you, Zack.

And we've a follow-up question from Michael Gallo with CLK. Please go ahead. Michael Gallo – CLK: Hi. Just a follow up on the backlog question. I think you implied in your remarks, or a response to a previous question that you expected 95% or so of the backlog to be delivered this year. That would imply obviously a significant increase in deliveries over the last three quarters. Is that going to be significantly more back-end weighted? Or was there something in the timing of deliveries that led to certainly on a run rate basis, the first quarter being down significantly?

I think that order activity picked up in Q4 of '07 and then again picked up in the first quarter of '08. And that's more indicative of how the production levels will look through the remainder of the year. I mean, we are obviously benefiting from a return of order activity in the last six months. Michael Gallo – CLK: Right. But so, starting in the second quarter though, you would expect to see the deliveries maybe more in the 1,500 unit type range? Or would it be more the second half of the year most of that backlog you would expect to be delivered?

Orders will pick up in the second quarter. Obviously, we don't give guidance so it's a little –. Michael Gallo – CLK: No, I mean on the deliveries, not on the orders there.

I'm sorry, thanks, Mike. We expect deliveries to pick up. Michael Gallo – CLK: Okay, great. Thanks a lot.

Thank you, Michael.

And your next question comes from the line of Cory Armand with Rice Voelker. Please go ahead. Cory Armand – Rice Voelker: Good morning. I was wondering, with volatility in the input costs if there is a possibility for you to put in surcharges into your contracts to your customers, if that's something that's standard for the industry and whether or not you are able to protect yourself at all?

I'd say that we are looking into that right now because the input prices have obviously gone up a little higher than we had projected here earlier this year. So, we are going through that analysis right now, we are trying to determine whether or not we've the capability of doing that. I will tell you that there is focus on it from our side. It is not necessarily an industry practice; it all depends on the marketplace. I think we've to do that somewhat on a selective basis. But I will tell you that it's something that we are currently analyzing. Cory Armand – Rice Voelker: In terms of the dollar value of cost of goods sold, the mix between steel and aluminum, what is the mix? Is it 80% aluminum, dollars and 20% steel, and is that roughly around where it is?

Cory, we tend to stay away from that kind of information because it is competitive in nature. As you know, our competitors are always on these calls. Cory Armand – Rice Voelker: Okay. Do you provide the backlog dollars? You may have done that in your scripted commentary, I didn't get that.

We didn't disclose that either. Cory Armand – Rice Voelker: Okay. All right, thank you very much.

Thanks, Cory.

Thanks, Cory.

(Operator instructions) Our next question comes from the line of Andrew Whitehall [ph] with S.L. Putnam [ph]. Please go ahead. ndrew Whitehall – S.L. Putnam: Hi, guys.

Good morning. Andrew Whitehall– S.L. Putnam: Just a quick question, in the prepared remarks, seemed like the orders and backlog data was a little different from the press release. Can you just go over those figures again for me?

Sure. Andrew Whitehall – S.L. Putnam: Maybe I wrote them down wrong.

Yes, I don't think it's different from the ones in the press release though. Bear with me for a moment. Backlog in terms at the March 31, 2008 was 6,785 units. Andrew Whitehall – S.L. Putnam: Okay.

Did you need something else? Andrew Whitehall – S.L. Putnam: What were orders again?

Order activity was 2,673 units. Andrew Whitehall – S.L. Putnam: All right. You had 1,450 cars in the operating leases in the quarter?

Right. Andrew Whitehall – S.L. Putnam: Okay. You said 1,287 units delivered?

Right. Andrew Whitehall – S.L. Putnam: Okay. All right, thanks.

Okay.

Your next question comes from the line of Peter Park from Park West Asset Management. Please go ahead. Peter Park – Park West Asset Management: Hi. Just given the rise in steel prices, etc., are you at all upside down on some of your contracts? Or do you hedge the metal at the time of signing the order? Thank you.

Peter, we've a variety of ways that we try to reduce the material cost. As we talked about earlier, in some cases we buy forward and we did that during the quarter. We haven't gotten involved in hedging activities as of this date. And then to your last question about being upside down in orders, typically you have to value out your backlog order activity for the accountant at the end of every quarter to determine if you have any what's referred to as lost contracts. Peter Park – Park West Asset Management: I see. So, if you had those, those would have already been reflected in the first quarter earnings?

That's correct. Peter Park – Park West Asset Management: Okay, great, thanks very much and good luck.

Okay.

Thank you.

And your next question comes from the line of Brian Loftus with Maple Capital. Please go ahead. Brian Loftus – Maple Capital: Hi, good morning.

Good morning, Brian. Brian Loftus – Maple Capital: Has the Board considered another stock buyback authorization?

Has the Board considered it? We are at a point we didn't really put that in front of the Board at this time, probably it's prudent for us to always take that under consideration. Brian Loftus – Maple Capital: When will you be talking about it again?

We talk about the allocation of capital at every Board meeting. At this point in time, we are pursuing acquisition and organic growth initiatives. And again, every quarter, we review the same issue in terms of capital allocation. Brian Loftus – Maple Capital: Okay. I think you were doing the acquisition and growth initiatives last year when you were buying back the stock at $45 to $50 a share. So, now would be a good time with the stock price lower and the orders improving. I just wanted to mention that.

Thank you for that.

Thank you. Brian Loftus – Maple Capital: Could you expand on the comments on Titagarh Wagons? Tell us what you've been doing with them so far this year, what you hope to accomplish this quarter?

Yes, just real briefly. We've sent over our engineering staff and supporting staff into various meetings with our folks, our joint venture partner there in India, really to take the time to deeply understand the market requirements and the product specifications. We've done a lot of those meetings now and we are moving forward. So, so far so good with the meetings and people are coming back with very enthusiastic feelings about the project and the market itself. Brian Loftus – Maple Capital: Very good, thank you.

Thank you.

And we've a follow-up question from Bob Schenosky from Jefferies. Please go ahead. Bob Schenosky – Jefferies & Co.: Thank you. Just to clarify, the cars that you're leasing and trying to be opportunistic in a difficult market, which is great, are you finding that these lease agreements are to what you would consider existing customers that because the metals prices are somewhat hesitant in the current market to become more aggressive and buy?

Typically, a customer doesn't make a lease by choice. These are mostly shorter-term leases the customer intends to lease right along. So, I don't think that's an issue. Bob Schenosky – Jefferies & Co.: Okay. Then, the shorter-term leases, what would be say average duration?

Three years or less. Bob Schenosky – Jefferies & Co.: Okay, thank you.

Thank you.

Thanks, Bob.

And there are no further questions at this time. Please continue.

Very good. Well, thank you, everyone, for joining us on today's call and thank you, Cathy, for monitoring it. And goodbye and talk to everyone next time. Thank you.

Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, that does conclude our conference for today. Thank you for your participation and for using AT&T Executive Teleconference. You may now disconnect.