CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$ 67,399	$ 82,428	$ 213,313	$ 267,076
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	82,905	2,734	277,984	(7,385)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts	15,021	1,169	18,400	(1,740)
Unrealized gain (loss) on pension benefit plans and post-retirement benefit plans	27	982	(3,017)	(652)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	97,953	4,885	293,367	(9,777)
Income tax (expense) benefit related to components of other comprehensive income	(5,333)	(594)	(5,692)	441
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	92,620	4,291	287,675	(9,336)
Comprehensive income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$ 160,019	$ 86,719	$ 500,988	$ 257,740