Acquisitions - Pro Forma Financial Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 725,602	$ 825,466	$ 1,505,193	$ 1,710,009
Gross profit	237,604	274,251	493,605	537,425
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$ 90,608	$ 101,534	$ 184,978	$ 200,540
Diluted earnings per share, as reported (in dollars per share)	$ 1.00	$ 1.04	$ 2.02	$ 2.03
Diluted earnings per share, pro forma (in dollars per share)	$ 1.00	$ 1.04	$ 2.02	$ 2.06