CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,111,680	$ 932,253	$ 2,167,857	$ 1,848,287
Cost of sales	(787,713)	(658,290)	(1,533,009)	(1,304,617)
Gross profit	323,967	273,963	634,848	543,670
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(171,157)	(127,918)	(318,358)	(250,605)
Engineering expenses	(19,388)	(23,338)	(41,437)	(46,802)
Amortization expense	(9,899)	(9,350)	(20,251)	(18,394)
Total operating expenses	(200,444)	(160,606)	(380,046)	(315,801)
Income from operations	123,523	113,357	254,802	227,869
Other income and expenses
Interest expense, net	(31,920)	(17,564)	(52,204)	(37,422)
Other income (expense), net	2,171	936	4,757	5,747
Income from operations before income taxes	93,774	96,729	207,355	196,194
Income tax expense	(10,503)	(24,569)	(36,627)	(52,030)
Net income	83,271	72,160	170,728	144,164
Less: Net loss (gain) attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,145	(135)	2,054	1,750
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$ 84,416	$ 72,025	$ 172,782	$ 145,914
Basic
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.88	$ 0.75	$ 1.80	$ 1.52
Diluted
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.87	$ 0.75	$ 1.79	$ 1.52
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic (in shares)	95,992	95,641	95,867	95,370
Diluted (in shares)	96,575	96,284	96,471	96,071