Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
Accounting Policies (Policies)	Mar. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and include the accounts of Wabtec and its majority owned subsidiaries. These condensed consolidated interim financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required for complete financial statements. In management’s opinion, these financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal, recurring nature necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. Results for these interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year. The Company operates on a four-four-five week accounting quarter, and the quarters end on or about March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31. The notes included herein should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in Wabtec’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. The December 31, 2015 information has been derived from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Revenue Recognition	Certain pre-production costs relating to long-term production and supply contracts have been deferred and will be recognized over the life of the contracts. Revenue is recognized in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605 “Revenue Recognition.” Revenue is recognized when products have been shipped to the respective customers, title has passed and the price for the product has been determined. In general, the Company recognizes revenues on long-term contracts based on the percentage of completion method of accounting. The units-of-delivery method or other input-based or output-based measures, as appropriate, are used to measure the progress toward completion of individual contracts. Contract revenues and cost estimates are reviewed and revised at a minimum quarterly and adjustments are reflected in the accounting period as such amounts are determined. Provisions are made currently for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts
Reclassifications	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified, where necessary, to conform to the current year presentation.
Use of Estimates	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual amounts could differ from the estimates. On an ongoing basis, management reviews its estimates based on currently available information. Changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised estimates.
Financial Derivatives and Hedging Activities	As part of its risk management strategy, the Company utilizes derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure due to changes in foreign currencies and interest rates. For further information regarding financial derivatives and hedging activities, refer to Footnotes 13 and 14.
Foreign Currency Translation	Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries, except for the Company’s Mexican operations whose functional currency is the U.S. Dollar, are translated at the rate of exchange in effect on the balance sheet date while income and expenses are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the period. Foreign currency gains and losses resulting from transactions and the translation of financial statements are recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements based upon the provisions of ASC 830 “Foreign Currency Matters.” The effects of currency exchange rate changes on intercompany transactions and balances of a long-term investment nature are accumulated and carried as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. The effects of currency exchange rate changes on intercompany transactions that are denominated in a currency other than an entity’s functional currency are charged or credited to earnings.
Non-controlling Interests	In accordance with ASC 810, the Company has classified non-controlling interests as equity on our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-3, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs” (“ASU 2015-3”) which changes the presentation of debt issuance costs in financial statements to present such costs as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. ASU 2015-3 will become effective for public companies during interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company retrospectively adopted this ASU on January 1, 2016. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU no. 2014-9, “Revenue from Contract with Customers.” The ASU will supersede most of the existing revenue recognition requirements in U.S. GAAP and will require entities to recognize revenue at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer. The new standard also requires significantly expanded disclosures regarding the qualitative and quantitative information of an entity’s nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The Board voted to propose that the standard would take effect for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and that early adoption would be allowed as of the original effective date. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the pronouncement will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (ASU 2016-09”). The ASU simplifies several aspects for the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective for public companies in the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
Other Comprehensive Income	Comprehensive income is defined as net income and all other non-owner changes in shareholders’ equity.