CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,056,177	$ 916,034
Cost of sales	(745,296)	(646,327)
Gross profit	310,881	269,707
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(147,201)	(122,687)
Engineering expenses	(22,049)	(23,464)
Amortization expense	(10,352)	(9,044)
Total operating expenses	(179,602)	(155,195)
Income from operations	131,279	114,512
Other income and expenses
Interest expense, net	(20,284)	(19,858)
Other income (expense), net	2,586	4,811
Income from operations before income taxes	113,581	99,465
Income tax expense	(26,124)	(27,461)
Net income	87,457	72,004
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	909	1,885
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$ 88,366	$ 73,889
Basic
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.92	$ 0.77
Diluted
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.92	$ 0.77
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic (in shares)	95,810	95,243
Diluted (in shares)	96,371	95,991