CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 916,034	$ 772,031
Cost of sales	(646,327)	(516,851)
Gross profit	269,707	255,180
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(122,341)	(89,751)
Engineering expenses	(23,464)	(17,953)
Amortization expense	(9,044)	(5,295)
Total operating expenses	(154,849)	(112,999)
Income from operations	114,858	142,181
Other income and expenses
Interest expense, net	(17,712)	(4,871)
Other income (expense), net	2,319	154
Income from operations before income taxes	99,465	137,464
Income tax expense	(27,461)	(43,301)
Net income	72,004	94,163
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,885	0
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$ 73,889	$ 94,163
Basic
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.77	$ 1.03
Diluted
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.77	$ 1.02
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic (in shares)	95,243	91,258
Diluted (in shares)	95,991	92,149