ACQUISITIONS - Pro Forma Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Net sales									$ 3,340,294	$ 3,309,365
Gross profit									1,061,080	1,022,391
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders									$ 400,692	$ 380,076
Diluted earnings per share, As reported (in dollars per share)	$ 1.05	$ 1.02	$ 1.04	$ 0.99	$ 0.95	$ 0.93	$ 0.91	$ 0.83	$ 4.10	$ 3.62	$ 3.01
Diluted earnings per share, Pro forma (in dollars per share)									$ 4.13	$ 3.91