CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,077,814	$ 957,931	$ 3,245,671	$ 2,806,218
Cost of sales	(775,802)	(704,728)	(2,308,811)	(2,009,345)
Gross profit	302,012	253,203	936,860	796,873
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(146,839)	(118,183)	(465,197)	(368,788)
Engineering expenses	(20,132)	(24,709)	(61,569)	(71,511)
Amortization expense	(9,862)	(8,645)	(30,113)	(27,039)
Total operating expenses	(176,833)	(151,537)	(556,879)	(467,338)
Income from operations	125,179	101,666	379,981	329,535
Other income and expenses
Interest expense, net	(23,713)	(20,038)	(75,917)	(57,460)
Other income (expense), net	1,201	(443)	5,958	5,304
Income from operations before income taxes	102,667	81,185	310,022	277,379
Income tax expense	(16,598)	(12,746)	(53,225)	(64,776)
Net income	86,069	68,439	256,797	212,603
Less: Net loss (gain) attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,670	(1,040)	3,724	710
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$ 87,739	$ 67,399	$ 260,521	$ 213,313
Basic
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.91	$ 0.70	$ 2.71	$ 2.23
Diluted
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.91	$ 0.70	$ 2.70	$ 2.22
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic (in shares)	96,208	95,709	95,935	95,163
Diluted (in shares)	96,637	96,316	96,436	95,808