Accounting Policies - Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income On Derivatives [Line Items]
Cost of sales	$ 516,851	$ 563,239
Interest expense, net	(4,871)	(4,306)
Income from Operations	137,464	141,248
Income tax expense	(43,301)	(45,084)
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	94,163	$ 96,164
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Pension and post retirement benefit plans
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income On Derivatives [Line Items]
Income from Operations	735
Income tax expense	(231)
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	504
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Amortization of initial net obligation and prior service cost
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income On Derivatives [Line Items]
Cost of sales	(385)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Amortization of net loss
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income On Derivatives [Line Items]
Cost of sales	1,120
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Derivative contracts
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income On Derivatives [Line Items]
Interest expense, net	474
Income tax expense	(149)
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$ 325