CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 957,931	$ 675,574	$ 2,806,218	$ 2,171,206
Cost of sales	(704,728)	(463,093)	(2,009,345)	(1,466,156)
Gross profit	253,203	212,481	796,873	705,050
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(117,838)	(70,757)	(367,753)	(241,118)
Engineering expenses	(24,709)	(16,289)	(71,511)	(52,271)
Amortization expense	(8,645)	(5,339)	(27,039)	(16,100)
Total operating expenses	(151,192)	(92,385)	(466,303)	(309,489)
Income from operations	102,011	120,096	330,570	395,561
Other income and expenses
Interest expense, net	(17,893)	(6,057)	(51,025)	(15,897)
Other income (expense), net	(2,933)	1,188	(2,166)	113
Income from operations before income taxes	81,185	115,227	277,379	379,777
Income tax expense	(12,746)	(32,799)	(64,776)	(112,701)
Net income	68,439	82,428	212,603	267,076
Less: Net (Gain) Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,040)	0	710	0
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$ 67,399	$ 82,428	$ 213,313	$ 267,076
Basic
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.70	$ 0.92	$ 2.23	$ 2.94
Diluted
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.70	$ 0.91	$ 2.22	$ 2.92
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic (in shares)	95,709	89,589	95,163	90,546
Diluted (in shares)	96,316	90,293	95,808	91,316