CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 932,253	$ 723,601	$ 1,848,287	$ 1,495,632
Cost of sales	(658,290)	(486,212)	(1,304,617)	(1,003,063)
Gross profit	273,963	237,389	543,670	492,569
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(127,574)	(80,610)	(249,915)	(170,361)
Engineering expenses	(23,338)	(18,029)	(46,802)	(35,982)
Amortization expense	(9,350)	(5,466)	(18,394)	(10,761)
Total operating expenses	(160,262)	(104,105)	(315,111)	(217,104)
Income from operations	113,701	133,284	228,559	275,465
Other income and expenses
Interest expense, net	(15,420)	(4,969)	(33,132)	(9,840)
Other income (expense), net	(1,552)	(1,229)	767	(1,075)
Income from operations before income taxes	96,729	127,086	196,194	264,550
Income tax expense	(24,569)	(36,601)	(52,030)	(79,902)
Net income	72,160	90,485	144,164	184,648
Less: Net (gain) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(135)	0	1,750	0
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$ 72,025	$ 90,485	$ 145,914	$ 184,648
Basic
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.75	$ 1.00	$ 1.52	$ 2.03
Diluted
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.75	$ 1.00	$ 1.52	$ 2.02
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic (in shares)	95,641	89,846	95,370	90,832
Diluted (in shares)	96,284	90,559	96,071	91,628