CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 797,271	$ 631,398	$ 2,223,588	$ 1,884,910
Cost of sales	(549,813)	(443,265)	(1,541,903)	(1,321,008)
Gross profit	247,458	188,133	681,685	563,902
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(88,359)	(63,402)	(231,422)	(191,576)
Engineering expenses	(16,391)	(10,921)	(43,558)	(33,535)
Amortization expense	(6,731)	(3,939)	(16,559)	(12,699)
Total operating expenses	(111,481)	(78,262)	(291,539)	(237,810)
Income from operations	135,977	109,871	390,146	326,092
Other income and expenses
Interest expense, net	(4,594)	(3,829)	(13,569)	(10,714)
Other income (expense), net	(154)	(1,658)	72	(1,833)
Income from operations before income taxes	131,229	104,384	376,649	313,545
Income tax expense	(41,074)	(30,441)	(117,655)	(95,351)
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$ 90,155	$ 73,943	$ 258,994	$ 218,194
Basic
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$ 0.94	$ 0.77	$ 2.69	$ 2.28
Diluted
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$ 0.93	$ 0.76	$ 2.67	$ 2.25
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic	95,935	95,848	95,745	95,383
Diluted	97,004	97,174	96,834	96,754