Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies (WAB) 10-K 20 Feb 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 16, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	WAB
Entity Registrant Name	WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORP
Entity Central Index Key	943452
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		96,343,620
Entity Public Float			$7.60

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$425,849	$285,760
Accounts receivable	443,464	349,458
Unbilled accounts receivable	187,762	205,045
Inventories	510,949	403,229
Deferred income taxes	43,953	50,622
Other	25,887	38,933
Total current assets	1,637,864	1,333,047
Property, plant and equipment	683,034	597,740
Accumulated depreciation	-343,923	-321,662
Property, plant and equipment, net	339,111	276,078
Other Assets
Goodwill	862,338	786,433
Other intangibles, net	422,811	385,679
Other noncurrent assets	41,717	40,760
Total other assets	1,326,866	1,212,872
Total Assets	3,303,841	2,821,997
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	399,845	326,666
Customer deposits	111,797	66,573
Accrued compensation	70,857	57,058
Accrued warranty	68,031	43,197
Current portion of long-term debt	792	421
Commitment and contingencies	762	485
Other accrued liabilities	86,718	85,000
Total current liabilities	738,802	579,400
Long-term debt	520,403	450,288
Accrued postretirement and pension benefits	81,908	50,003
Deferred income taxes	112,915	114,486
Commitment and contingencies	973	1,141
Accrued warranty	19,818	17,396
Other long-term liabilities	20,724	22,116
Total liabilities	1,495,543	1,234,830
Shareholders’ Equity
Preferred stock, 1,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued
Common stock, $.01 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized: 132,349,534 shares issued and 96,274,395 and 95,909,948 outstanding at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	1,323	1,323
Additional paid-in capital	448,531	415,059
Treasury stock, at cost, 36,075,139 and 36,439,586 shares, at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	-392,262	-372,969
Retained earnings	1,909,136	1,576,702
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-159,486	-34,856
Total Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation shareholders' equity	1,807,242	1,585,259
Non-controlling interest (minority interest)	1,056	1,908
Total shareholders’ equity	1,808,298	1,587,167
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$3,303,841	$2,821,997

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	132,349,534	132,349,534
Common stock, shares outstanding	96,274,395	95,909,948
Treasury stock, shares	36,075,139	36,439,586

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$3,044,454	$2,566,392	$2,391,122
Cost of sales	-2,108,472	-1,802,365	-1,696,555
Gross profit	935,982	764,027	694,567
Selling, general and administrative expenses	-324,539	-262,718	-245,709
Engineering expenses	-61,886	-46,289	-41,307
Amortization expense	-22,448	-17,710	-15,272
Total operating expenses	-408,873	-326,717	-302,288
Income from operations	527,109	437,310	392,279
Other income and expenses
Interest expense, net	-17,574	-15,341	-14,251
Other (expense) income , net	-1,680	-882	-670
Income from operations before income taxes	507,855	421,087	377,358
Income tax expense	-156,175	-128,852	-125,626
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$351,680	$292,235	$251,732
Basic
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$3.66	$3.05	$2.62
Diluted
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$3.62	$3.01	$2.60
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic	95,781	95,463	95,469
Diluted	96,885	96,832	96,742

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$351,680	$292,235	$251,732
Foreign currency translation (loss) gain	-111,776	5,345	14,428
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative contracts	-338	810	-2,628
Pension benefit plans and post-retirement benefit plans	-18,508	21,102	-6,292
Other comprehensive (loss) income before tax	-130,622	27,257	5,508
Income tax benefit (expense) related to components of other comprehensive income (loss)	5,992	-8,549	1,825
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	-124,630	18,708	7,333
Comprehensive income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$227,050	$310,943	$259,065

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating Activities
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$351,680	$292,235	$251,732
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operations:
Depreciation and amortization	61,261	51,193	44,136
Stock-based compensation expense	26,134	24,107	19,848
Deferred income taxes	-7,054	15,248	581
Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment	812	-15	1,112
Excess income tax benefits from exercise of stock options	-3,020	-4,266	-3,125
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions
Accounts receivable and unbilled accounts receivable	-17,413	-149,699	-22,976
Inventories	-64,089	26,060	-32,491
Accounts payable	55,378	60,976	-12,483
Accrued income taxes	23,763	-15,033	-33,202
Accrued liabilities and customer deposits	68,729	-48,831	13,323
Other assets and liabilities	-23,796	-16,322	10,983
Net cash provided by operating activities	472,385	235,653	237,438
Investing Activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	-47,662	-41,238	-36,001
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment	421	6,000	971
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	-300,437	-223,454	-149,914
Net cash used for investing activities	-347,678	-258,692	-184,944
Financing Activities
Proceeds from debt	563,400	959,067	233,400
Payments of debt	-493,819	-829,842	-311,457
Purchase of treasury stock	-26,757	-32,998	-46,556
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and other benefit plans	3,337	5,165	4,431
Excess income tax benefits from exercise of stock options	3,020	4,266	3,125
Earn-out settlement	-4,429
Cash dividends ($0.20, $0.13 and $0.08 per share for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012	-19,246	-12,644	-7,666
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	25,506	93,014	-124,723
Effect of changes in currency exchange rates	-10,124	19	2,380
Increase (decrease) in cash	140,089	69,994	-69,849
Cash, beginning of year	285,760	215,766	285,615
Cash, end of year	$425,849	$285,760	$215,766

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash dividends, per share	$0.20	$0.13	$0.08

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_SHA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Treasury Stock	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
In Thousands, except Share data
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$1,045,189	$1,323	$360,914	($309,196)	$1,053,045	($60,897)
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		132,349,534		-36,275,980
Cash dividends ($0.08 in 2012, $ 0.13 in 2013 and $0.20 in 2014)	-7,666				-7,666
Proceeds from treasury stock issued from the exercise of stock options and other benefit plans, net of tax, value	7,556		1,192	6,364
Proceeds from treasury stock issued from the exercise of stock options and other benefit plans, net of tax, shares				364,724
Stock based compensation	19,242		19,242
Net income	251,732				251,732
Translation adjustment	14,428					14,428
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts, net of tax ($1,040 in 2012 , $ 422 in 2013 and $136 in 2014)	-1,588					-1,588
Change in pension and post-retirement benefit plans, net of tax ($785 in 2012, $8,188 in 2013 and $5,887 in 2014)	-5,507					-5,507
Stock repurchase, value	-46,556			-46,556
Stock repurchase, shares				-607,400
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	1,276,830	1,323	381,348	-349,388	1,297,111	-53,564
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		132,349,534		-36,518,656
Cash dividends ($0.08 in 2012, $ 0.13 in 2013 and $0.20 in 2014)	-12,644				-12,644
Proceeds from treasury stock issued from the exercise of stock options and other benefit plans, net of tax, value	21,232		11,815	9,417
Proceeds from treasury stock issued from the exercise of stock options and other benefit plans, net of tax, shares				586,175
Stock based compensation	21,896		21,896
Net income	292,235				292,235
Translation adjustment	5,345					5,345
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts, net of tax ($1,040 in 2012 , $ 422 in 2013 and $136 in 2014)	644					644
Change in pension and post-retirement benefit plans, net of tax ($785 in 2012, $8,188 in 2013 and $5,887 in 2014)	12,914					12,914
Stock repurchase, value	-32,998			-32,998
Stock repurchase, shares				-507,105
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign exchange contracts, net of tax ($ 61 in 2013, and $31 in 2014)	-195					-195
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	1,585,259	1,323	415,059	-372,969	1,576,702	-34,856
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		132,349,534		-36,439,586
Cash dividends ($0.08 in 2012, $ 0.13 in 2013 and $0.20 in 2014)	-19,246				-19,246
Proceeds from treasury stock issued from the exercise of stock options and other benefit plans, net of tax, value	17,461		9,997	7,464
Proceeds from treasury stock issued from the exercise of stock options and other benefit plans, net of tax, shares				711,247
Stock based compensation	23,475		23,475
Net income	351,680				351,680
Translation adjustment	-111,776					-111,776
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts, net of tax ($1,040 in 2012 , $ 422 in 2013 and $136 in 2014)	-210					-210
Change in pension and post-retirement benefit plans, net of tax ($785 in 2012, $8,188 in 2013 and $5,887 in 2014)	-12,621					-12,621
Stock repurchase, value	-26,757			-26,757
Stock repurchase, shares				-346,800
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign exchange contracts, net of tax ($ 61 in 2013, and $31 in 2014)	-23					-23
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$1,807,242	$1,323	$448,531	($392,262)	$1,909,136	($159,486)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		132,349,534		-36,075,139

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_SHA1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract]
Cash dividends, per share	$0.20	$0.13	$0.08
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign exchange contracts, tax	$31	$61
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts, tax	136	422	1,040
Change in pension and post retirement benefit plans, tax	$5,887	$8,188	$785

Business

Business	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Business	1	BUSINESS
	Wabtec is one of the world’s largest providers of value-added, technology-based products and services for the global rail industry. Our products are found on virtually all U.S. locomotives, freight cars and passenger transit vehicles, as well as in more than 100 countries throughout the world. Our products enhance safety, improve productivity and reduce maintenance costs for customers, and many of our core products and services are essential in the safe and efficient operation of freight rail and passenger transit vehicles. Wabtec is a global company with operations in 20 countries. In 2014, about 50% of the Company’s revenues came from customers outside the U.S.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	2	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority owned subsidiaries. Such statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Sales between subsidiaries are billed at prices consistent with sales to third parties and are eliminated in consolidation.
	Capital Structure On May 14, 2013, our stockholders approved an amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of our common stock to 200.0 million shares.  In addition, on May 14, 2013, our Board of Directors approved a two-for-one split of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock in the form of a 100% stock dividend.  The increase in the authorized shares and the stock split became effective on May 14, 2013 and June 11, 2013, respectively.
	The Company issued approximately 66.2 million shares of its common stock as a result of the two-for-one stock split. The par value of the Company’s common stock remained unchanged at $0.01 per share.
	Information regarding shares of common stock (except par value per share), retained earnings, and net income per common share attributable to Wabtec shareholders for all periods presented reflects the two-for-one split of the Company’s common stock. The number of shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and vesting of other stock-based awards was proportionally increased, and the exercise price per share thereof was proportionally decreased, in accordance with the terms of the stock incentive plans.
	Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less.
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The allowance for doubtful accounts receivable reflects our best estimate of probable losses inherent in our receivable portfolio determined on the basis of historical experience, specific allowances for known troubled accounts and other currently available evidence. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $6.3 million and $5.7 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined under the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Inventory costs include material, labor and overhead.
	Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment additions are stated at cost. Expenditures for renewals and improvements are capitalized. Expenditures for ordinary maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. The Company provides for book depreciation principally on the straight-line method. Accelerated depreciation methods are utilized for income tax purposes.
	Leasing Arrangements The Company conducts a portion of its operations from leased facilities and finances certain equipment purchases through lease agreements. In those cases in which the lease term approximates the useful life of the leased asset or the lease meets certain other prerequisites, the leasing arrangement is classified as a capital lease. The remaining arrangements are treated as operating leases.
	Intangible Assets Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized. Other intangibles (with definite lives) are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic lives. Amortizable intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when indicators of impairment are present. The Company tests goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually. The Company performs its annual impairment test during the fourth quarter after the annual forecasting process is completed, and also tests for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Periodically, Management of the Company assesses whether or not an indicator of impairment is present that would necessitate an impairment analysis be performed.
	For 2014, the Company opted to perform a qualitative assessment and determined that step two was not necessary.  In assessing the qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we assess relevant events and circumstances that may impact the fair value and the carrying amount of the reporting unit. The identification of relevant events and circumstances and how these may impact a reporting unit’s fair value or carrying amount involve significant judgments and assumptions. The judgment and assumptions include the identification of macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, Wabtec specific events and share price trends and making the assessment on whether each relevant factor will impact the impairment test positively or negatively and the magnitude of any such impact.
	If our qualitative assessment concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the Company then performs a two-step impairment test. In the first step of the quantitative assessment, our assets and liabilities, including existing goodwill and other intangible assets, are assigned to the identified reporting units to determine the carrying value of the reporting units. The Company reviews goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level. The Company prepares its goodwill impairment analysis by comparing the estimated fair value of each reporting unit, using an income approach (a discounted cash flow model) as well as a market approach, with its carrying value. The income approach and the market approach are equally weighted in arriving at fair value, which the Company has applied consistently. The discounted cash flow model requires several assumptions including future sales growth, EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) margins and capital expenditures for the reporting units. The discounted cash flow model also requires the use of a discount rate and a terminal revenue growth rate (the revenue growth rate for the period beyond the three years forecasted by the reporting units), as well as projections of future operating margins. The market approach requires several assumptions including EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) multiples for comparable companies that operate in the same markets as the Company’s reporting units.
	Warranty Costs Warranty costs are accrued based on Management’s estimates of repair or upgrade costs per unit and historical experience. Warranty expense was $34.1 million, $23.1 million and $22.9 million for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Accrued warranty was $87.8 million and $60.6 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Income Taxes Income taxes are accounted for under the liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws. The provision for income taxes includes federal, state and foreign income taxes.
	Stock-Based Compensation The Company recognizes compensation expense for stock-based compensation based on the grant date fair value amortized ratably over the requisite service period following the date of grant.
	Financial Derivatives and Hedging Activities The Company has entered into foreign currency forward contracts to reduce the impact of changes in currency exchange rates. Foreign currency forward contracts are agreements with a counterparty to exchange two distinct currencies at a set exchange rate for delivery on a set date at some point in the future. There is no exchange of funds until the delivery date. At the delivery date the Company can either take delivery of the currency or settle on a net basis. At December 31, 2014, the Company had no material foreign currency forward contracts.
	To reduce the impact of interest rate changes on a portion of this variable-rate debt, the Company has entered into two forward starting interest rate swap agreement with a notional value of $150.0 million. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has recorded a current liability of $3.4 million and a corresponding offset in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $2.0 million, net of tax, related to this agreement. For further information regarding the forward starting interest rate swap agreements, see Footnote 8.
	Foreign Currency Translation Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries, except for the Company’s Mexican operations whose functional currency is the U.S. Dollar, are translated at the rate of exchange in effect on the balance sheet date while income and expenses are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Foreign currency gains and losses resulting from transactions, and the translation of financial statements are recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements based upon the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 830, “Foreign Currency Matters.” The effects of currency exchange rate changes on intercompany transactions and balances of a long-term investment nature are accumulated and carried as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. The effects of currency exchange rate changes on intercompany transactions that are denominated in a currency other than an entity’s functional currency are charged or credited to earnings. Foreign exchange transaction losses recognized in other (expense) income, net were $2.4 million, $3.5 million and $0.1 million for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Noncontrolling Interests In accordance with ASC 810, the Company has classified noncontrolling interests as equity on our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was not material.
	Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as net income and all other non-owner changes in shareholders’ equity. The Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income consists of foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency hedges, foreign exchange contracts, interest rate swaps, and pension and post retirement related adjustments.
	Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognized in accordance with ASC 605 “Revenue Recognition,”  The Company recognized revenue when the following criteria are met: 1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; 2) delivery has occurred; 3) an established sales price has been set with the customer; 4) collection of the sale revenue from the customer is reasonably assured; and 5) no contingencies exist.  Delivery is considered to have occurred when the customer assumes the risk and rewards of ownership.  The Company estimates and records provisions for quantity rebates and sales returns and allowances as an offset to revenue in the same period the related revenue is recognized, based upon its experience.  These items are included as a reduction in deriving net sales.
	In general, the Company recognizes revenues on long-term contracts based on the percentage of completion method of accounting. The units-of-delivery method or other input-based or output-based measures, as appropriate, are used to measure the progress toward completion of individual contracts. Contract revenues and cost estimates are reviewed and revised quarterly at a minimum and adjustments are reflected in the accounting period as such amounts are determined. Provisions are made currently for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts. Unbilled accounts receivables were $187.8 million and $205.0 million, customer deposits were $111.8 million and $66.6 million, and provisions for loss contracts were $7.1 million and $14.0 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Certain pre-production costs relating to long-term production and supply contracts have been deferred and will be recognized over the life of the contracts. Deferred pre-production costs were $24.9 million and $19.2 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Significant Customers and Concentrations of Credit Risk The Company’s trade receivables are from rail and transit industry original equipment manufacturers, Class I railroads, railroad carriers and commercial companies that utilize rail cars in their operations, such as utility and chemical companies. No one customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated net sales in 2014, 2013 and 2012.
	Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs All fees billed to the customer for shipping and handling are classified as a component of net revenues. All costs associated with shipping and handling is classified as a component of cost of sales.
	Research and Development Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company incurred costs of approximately $61.9 million, $46.3 million and $41.3 million, respectively.
	Employees As of December 31, 2014, approximately 28% of the Company’s workforce was covered by collective bargaining agreements. These agreements are generally effective from 2015 through 2017. Agreements expiring in 2015 cover approximately 21% of the Company’s workforce.
	Earnings Per Share Basic and diluted earnings per common share is computed in accordance with ASC 260 “Earnings Per Share.” Unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method included in ASC 260-10-55. (See Note 11 “Earnings Per Share” included herein)
	Reclassifications Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified, where necessary, to conform to the current year presentation.
	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual amounts could differ from the estimates. On an ongoing basis, Management reviews its estimates based on currently available information. Changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised estimates.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU no. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contract with Customers.”  The ASU will supersede most of the existing revenue recognition requirements in U.S. GAAP and will require entities to recognize revenue at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer.  The new standard also requires significantly expanded disclosures regarding the qualitative and quantitative information of an entity’s nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers.  The Pronouncement is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period and is to be applied retrospectively, with early application not permitted.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact the pronouncement will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	3	ACQUISITIONS
	The Company made the following acquisitions operating as a business unit or component of a business unit in the Freight Segment:
	•	On February 4, 2015, the Company acquired Railroad Controls L.P. (“RCL”), a U.S. based provider of railway signal construction services for a net purchase price of approximately $63.7 million, net of cash acquired.
	•	On September 3, 2014, the Company acquired C2CE Pty Ltd. (“C2CE”), a leading provider of railway signal design services in Australia, for a purchase price of approximately $25.1 million, net of cash acquired, resulting in preliminary goodwill of $15.1 million, none of which will be deductible for tax purposes.
	•	On September 24, 2013, the Company acquired Longwood Industries, Inc (“Longwood”), a manufacturer of specialty rubber products for transportation, oil and gas, and industrial markets, for a purchase price of approximately $83.9 million, net of cash acquired, resulting in additional goodwill of $28.3 million, none of which will be deductible for tax purposes.
	•	On July 30, 2013, the Company acquired Turbonetics Holdings, Inc (“Turbonetics”), a manufacturer of turbochargers and related components for various industrial markets, for a purchase price of approximately $23.2 million, net of cash acquired, resulting in additional goodwill of $11.3 million, none of which will be deductible for tax purposes.
	•	On January 31, 2013, the Company acquired Napier Turbochargers Ltd. (“Napier”), a UK-based provider of turbochargers and related parts for the worldwide power generation and marine markets, for a purchase price of approximately $112.3 million, net of cash acquired, resulting in additional goodwill of $67.0 million, none of which will be deductible for tax purposes.
	For the C2CE acquisition, the following table summarizes the preliminary estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition.  For the Longwood, Turbonetics and Napier acquisitions, the following table summarizes the final fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition.
		C2CE			Longwood			Turbonetics			Napier
		September 3,			September 24,			July 30,			January 31,
	In thousands	2014			2013			2013			2013
	Current assets	$	9,812		$	17,444		$	5,532		$	13,441
	Property, plant & equipment		1,890			19,363			992			8,837
	Goodwill		15,114			28,272			11,309			67,045
	Other intangible assets		3,654			39,440			11,140			40,583
	Other assets		-			7			-			-
	Total assets acquired		30,470			104,526			28,973			129,906
	Total liabilities assumed		(5,359	)		(20,663	)		(5,790	)		(17,565	)
	Net assets acquired	$	25,111		$	83,863		$	23,183		$	112,341
	The Company made the following acquisitions operating as a business unit or component of a business unit in the Transit Segment:
	•	On August 19, 2014, the Company acquired Dia-Frag, a leading manufacturer of friction products in Brazil, for a purchase price of approximately $70.6 million, net of cash acquired, resulting in preliminary goodwill of $43.0 million, none of which will be deductible for tax purposes.
	•	On June 6, 2014, the Company acquired Fandstan Electric Group Ltd. (“Fandstan”), a leading rail and industrial equipment manufacturer for a variety of markets, including rail and tram transportation, industrial and energy, for a purchase price of approximately $199.4 million, net of cash acquired, resulting in preliminary goodwill of $60.1 million, none of which will be deductible for tax purposes.
	For the Fandstan and Dia-Frag acquisitions, the following table summarizes the preliminary estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition.
		Dia-Frag			Fandstan
		August 19,			June 6,
	In thousands	2014			2014
	Current assets	$	12,477		$	124,848
	Property, plant & equipment		4,497			61,379
	Goodwill		42,955			60,078
	Other intangible assets		26,150			50,598
	Other assets		66			216
	Total assets acquired		86,145			297,119
	Total liabilities assumed		(15,504	)		(97,715	)
	Net assets acquired	$	70,641		$	199,404
	The 2014 acquisitions listed above include escrow deposits of $41.6 million, which may be released to the Company for indemnity and other claims in accordance with the purchase and escrow agreements.
	The total goodwill and other intangible assets for acquisitions listed in the tables above was $396.3 million, of which $224.7 million and $171.4 million was related to goodwill and other intangible assets, respectively.  Of the allocation of $171.4 million of acquired intangible assets for the companies listed in the above tables, $111.0 million was assigned to customer relationships, $45.9 million was assigned to trade names, $5.2 million was assigned to patents, $0.8 million was assigned to favorable leasehold interest, $2.1 million was assigned to non-compete agreements and $6.5 million was assigned to customer backlog. The trade names are considered to have an indefinite useful life while the customer relationships’ useful life is 20 years, the patents’ useful life is 12 years, the favorable leasehold useful life is five years and non-compete agreements useful life is four years.
	The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents income statement results as if the acquisition of Napier, Turbonetics, Longwood, C2CE, Fandstan, and Dia-Frag had occurred January 1, 2013:
			For the year ended
			December 31,
	In thousands		2014			2013
	Net sales		$	3,178,955		$	2,933,560
	Gross profit			978,567			867,719
	Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders			363,122			318,381
	Diluted earnings per share
	As Reported		$	3.62		$	3.01
	Pro forma		$	3.75		$	3.28

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Disclos

Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures	4	SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	In thousands
	Interest paid during the year	$	18,445	$	15,601	$	16,309
	Income taxes paid during the year, net of amount refunded		125,212		137,945		135,691
	Business acquisitions:
	Fair value of assets acquired		454,596		267,306		198,066
	Liabilities assumed		124,005		44,846		46,009
	Cash paid		330,591		222,460		152,057
	Less cash acquired		30,154		671		2,303
	Net cash paid	$	300,437	$	221,789	$	149,754
	On December 11, 2013, the Board of Directors amended its stock repurchase authorization to $200 million of the Company’s outstanding shares. Through December 31, 2014, purchases have totaled $26.8 million leaving $173.2 million under the authorization.
	The Company intends to purchase shares on the open market or in negotiated or block trades. No time limit was set for the completion of the programs which conform to the requirements under the 2013 Refinancing Credit Agreement, as well as the Notes currently outstanding.
	During the first quarter of 2014, the Company repurchased 27,500 shares at an average price of $78.22 per share.  During the second quarters of 2014, the Company repurchased  194,700 shares at an average price of $74.33 per share.  During the third quarter of 2014, the Company repurchased 124,600 shares at an average price of $81.33 per share. During the fourth quarter of 2014, no shares were repurchased. All purchases were on the open market.
	During the first and second quarters of 2013, no shares were repurchased. During the third quarter of 2013, the Company repurchased 93,205 shares at an average price of $58.86 per share. During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company repurchased 413,900 shares at an average price of $66.47 per share. All purchases were on the open market.

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	5	INVENTORIES
	The components of inventory, net of reserves, were:
		December 31,
	In thousands	2014		2013
	Raw materials	$	222,059	$	165,906
	Work-in-progress		154,094		137,449
	Finished goods		134,796		99,874
	Total inventories	$	510,949	$	403,229

Property_Plant_Equipment

Property, Plant & Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant & Equipment	6	PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT
	The major classes of depreciable assets are as follows:
		December 31,
	In thousands	2014			2013
	Machinery and equipment	$	476,467		$	440,297
	Buildings and improvements		180,227			138,469
	Land and improvements		23,440			16,271
	Locomotive leased fleet		2,900			2,703
	PP&E		683,034			597,740
	Less: accumulated depreciation		(343,923	)		(321,662	)
	Total	$	339,111		$	276,078
	The estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment are as follows:
		Years
	Land improvements	10 to 20
	Building and improvements	20 to 40
	Machinery and equipment	3 to 15
	Depreciation expense was $38.8 million, $33.5 million, and $28.9 million for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Intangibles

Intangibles	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangibles	7	INTANGIBLES
	Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized. Other intangibles with definite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic lives. Goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets are reviewed annually during the fourth quarter for impairment (See Note 2 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” included herein). Goodwill and indefinite live intangible assets were not impaired at December 31, 2014 and 2013.
	The change in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:
		Freight			Transit
	In thousands	Segment			Segment			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	509,664		$	276,769		$	786,433
	Adjustment to preliminary purchase allocation		(4,440	)		(2,367	)		(6,807	)
	Acquisitions		19,211			103,347			122,558
	Foreign currency impact		(9,368	)		(30,478	)		(39,846	)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	515,067		$	347,271		$	862,338
	As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company’s trademarks had a net carrying amount of $170.1 million and $156.8 million, respectively, and the Company believes these intangibles have an indefinite life. Intangible assets of the Company, other than goodwill and trademarks, consist of the following:
		December 31,
	In thousands	2014			2013
	Patents, non-compete and other intangibles, net of accumulated
	amortization of $39,780 and $37,824	$	14,722		$	15,561
	Customer relationships, net of accumulated amortization
	of $56,684 and $44,910		237,983			213,324
	Total	$	252,705		$	228,885
	The remaining weighted average useful lives of patents, customer relationships and intellectual property were 9 years, 16 years and 15 years respectively. Amortization expense for intangible assets was $22.5 million, $17.7 million, and $15.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
	Amortization expense for the five succeeding years is as follows (in thousands):
	Amortization expense for the five succeedng years is as follows (in thousands):
	2015	$	22,183
	2016		19,054
	2017		17,649
	2018		16,670
	2019		16,228

Longterm_Debt

Long-term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	8	LONG-TERM DEBT
	Long-term debt consisted of the following:
		December 31,
	In thousands	2014		2013
	4.375% Senior Notes, due 2023	$	250,000	$	250,000
	Revolving Credit Facility		270,000		200,000
	Capital Leases		1,195		709
	Total		521,195		450,709
	Less - current portion		792		421
	Long-term portion	$	520,403	$	450,288
	2013 Refinancing Credit Agreement
	On December 19, 2013, the Company amended its existing revolving credit facility with a consortium of commercial banks. This “2013 Refinancing Credit Agreement” provides the company with a $800 million, five-year revolving credit facility. The Company incurred approximately $1.0 million of deferred financing cost related to the 2013 Refinancing Credit Agreement. The facility expires on December 19, 2018. The 2013 Refinancing Credit Agreement borrowings bear variable interest rates indexed as described below. At December 31, 2014, the Company had available bank borrowing capacity, net of $29.1 million of letters of credit, of approximately $500.9 million, subject to certain financial covenant restrictions.
	Under the 2013 Refinancing Credit Agreement, the Company may elect a Base Rate of interest for U.S. Dollar denominated loans or, for certain currencies,  an interest rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) of interest, or other rates appropriate for such currencies  (in any case, “the Alternate Rate”). The Base Rate adjusts on a daily basis and is the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.5% per annum, the PNC, N.A. prime rate or the Daily LIBOR Rate plus 100 basis points, plus a margin that ranges from 0 to 75 basis points. The Alternate Rate is based on the quoted rates specific to the applicable currency, plus a margin that ranges from 75 to 175 basis points. Both the Base Rate and Alternate Rate margins are dependent on the Company’s consolidated total indebtedness to cash flow ratios. The initial Base Rate margin is 0 basis points and the Alternate Rate margin is 100 basis points.
	At December 31, 2014 the weighted average interest rate on the Company’s variable rate debt was 1.75%.  On January 12, 2012, the Company entered into a forward starting interest rate swap agreement with a notional value of $150 million. The effective date of the interest rate swap agreement is July 31, 2013, and the termination date is November 7, 2016. The impact of the interest rate swap agreement converts a portion of the Company’s outstanding debt from a variable rate to a fixed-rate borrowing. During the term of the interest rate swap agreement the interest rate on the notional value will be fixed at 1.415% plus the Alternate Rate margin. On June 5, 2014, the Company entered into a forward starting interest rate swap agreement with a notional value of $150.0 million.  The effective date of the interest rate swap agreement is November 7, 2016, and the termination date is December 19, 2018.  The impact of the interest rate swap agreement converts a portion of the Company’s outstanding debt from a variable rate to a fixed-rate borrowing.  During the term of the interest rate swap agreement the interest rate on the notional value will be fixed at 2.56% plus the Alternate Rate margin.  As for these agreements, the Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties.  However, since only the cash interest payments are exchanged, exposure is significantly less than the notional amount.  The counterparties are large financial institutions with an excellent credit rating and history of performance.  The Company currently believes the risk of nonperformance is negligible.
	The 2013 Refinancing Credit Agreement limits the Company’s ability to declare or pay cash dividends and prohibits the Company from declaring or making other distributions, subject to certain exceptions. The 2013 Refinancing Credit Agreement contains various other covenants and restrictions including the following limitations: incurrence of additional indebtedness; mergers, consolidations, sales of assets and acquisitions; additional liens; sale and leasebacks; permissible investments, loans and advances; certain debt payments; and imposes a minimum interest expense coverage ratio of 3.0 and a maximum debt to cash flow ratio of 3.25. The Company does not expect that these measurements will limit the Company in executing our operating activities. See Note 8 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report.
	2011 Refinancing Credit Agreement
	On November 7, 2011, the Company refinanced its existing revolving credit and term loan facility with a consortium of commercial banks. This “2011 Refinancing Credit Agreement” provided the company with a $600 million, five-year revolving credit facility. The Company incurred approximately $1.9 million of deferred financing cost related to the 2011 Refinancing Credit Agreement. The facility was set to expire on November 7, 2016.
	Under the 2011 Refinancing Credit Agreement, the Company may have elected a Base Rate of interest or an interest rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) of interest (“the Alternate Rate”). The Base Rate adjusted on a daily basis and was the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.5% per annum, the PNC, N.A. prime rate or the Daily LIBOR Rate plus 100 basis points plus a margin that ranged from 0 to 75 basis points. The Alternate Rate was based on quoted LIBOR rates plus a margin that ranged from 75 to 175 basis points. Both the Base Rate and Alternate Rate margins were dependent on the Company’s consolidated total indebtedness to cash flow ratios. The current Base Rate margin was 0 basis points and the Alternate Rate margin was 100 basis points.
	4.375% Senior Notes Due August 2023
	In August 2013, the Company issued $250.0 million of Senior Notes due in 2023 (“the 2013 Notes”).   Interest on the 2013 Notes accrues at a rate of 4.375% per annum and is payable semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year.  The proceeds were used to repay debt outstanding under the Company’s existing credit agreement, and for general corporate purposes.  The principal balance is due in full at maturity.  The Company incurred $2.6 million of deferred financing costs related to the issuance.
	The 2013 Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and rank pari passu with all existing and future senior debt and senior to all existing and future subordinated indebtedness of the Company. The indenture under which the 2013 Notes were issued contains covenants and restrictions which limit among other things, the following: the incurrence of indebtedness, payment of dividends and certain distributions, sale of assets, change in control, mergers and consolidations and the incurrence of liens.
	The Company is in compliance with the restrictions and covenants in the indenture under which the 2013 Notes were issued and expects that these restrictions and covenants will not be any type of limiting factor in executing our operating activities.
	6.875% Senior Notes Due August 2013
	In August 2003, the Company issued $150.0 million of Senior Notes due in 2013 (“the 2003 Notes”). The 2003 Notes were issued at par. Interest on the 2003 Notes accrued at a rate of 6.875% per annum and was payable semi-annually on January 31 and July 31 of each year. The proceeds were used to repay debt outstanding under the Company’s existing credit agreement and for general corporate purposes. The Company paid off the 2003 Notes, which matured on July 31, 2013 utilizing available capacity under the 2011 Refinancing Credit Agreement.
	Debt and Capital Leases
	Scheduled principal repayments of debt and capital lease balances as of December 31, 2014 are as follows:
	2015	$	825
	2016		141
	2017		116
	2018		270,068
	2019		29
	Future years		250,016
	Total	$	521,195

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	9.EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
	Defined Benefit Pension Plans
	The Company sponsors defined benefit pension plans that cover certain U.S., Canadian, German, and United Kingdom employees and which provide benefits of stated amounts for each year of service of the employee. The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for the plans.
	The following tables provide information regarding the Company’s defined benefit pension plans summarized by U.S. and international components.
	Obligations and Funded Status
		U.S.								International
	In thousands	2014				2013				2014				2013
	Change in projected benefit obligation
	Obligation at beginning of year	$	(47,090	)		$	(52,226	)		$	(170,931	)		$	(163,507	)
	Service cost		(334	)			(432	)			(2,138	)			(2,035	)
	Interest cost		(2,070	)			(1,960	)			(8,102	)			(6,661	)
	Employee contributions		-				-				(385	)			(442	)
	Plan curtailments and amendments		-				-				473				34
	Benefits paid		5,083				3,586				7,616				6,554
	Expenses and premiums paid		-				-				-				360
	Acquisition		-				-				(39,381	)			-
	Actuarial (loss) gain		(5,743	)			3,942				(23,335	)			(7,860	)
	Effect of currency rate changes		-				-				16,958				2,626
	Obligation at end of year	$	(50,154	)		$	(47,090	)		$	(219,225	)		$	(170,931	)
	Change in plan assets
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	42,980			$	42,403			$	156,705			$	144,089
	Actual return on plan assets		3,606				4,163				17,363				17,273
	Employer contributions		-				-				6,036				4,810
	Employee contributions		-				-				385				442
	Benefits paid		(5,083	)			(3,586	)			(7,616	)			(6,554	)
	Expenses and premiums paid		-				-				-				(360	)
	Acquisition		-				-				23,444				-
	Effect of currency rate changes		-				-				(14,063	)			(2,995	)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	41,503			$	42,980			$	182,254			$	156,705
	Funded status
	Fair value of plan assets	$	41,503			$	42,980			$	182,254			$	156,705
	Benefit obligations		(50,154	)			(47,090	)			(219,225	)			(170,931	)
	Funded status	$	(8,651	)		$	(4,110	)		$	(36,971	)		$	(14,226	)
	Amounts recognized in the statement of financial position consist of:
	Noncurrent assets	$	-			$	-			$	2,424			$	3,554
	Current liabilities										(398	)			(44	)
	Noncurrent liabilities		(8,651	)			(4,110	)			(38,997	)			(17,736	)
	Net amount recognized	$	(8,651	)		$	(4,110	)		$	(36,971	)		$	(14,226	)
	Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consist of:
	Noncurrent assets	$	-			$	-			$	(449	)		$	(647	)
	Current liabilities		(13	)			(36	)			(157	)			(223	)
	Noncurrent liabilities		(24,665	)			(22,249	)			(49,180	)			(40,359	)
	Net amount recognized	$	(24,678	)		$	(22,285	)		$	(49,786	)		$	(41,229	)
	The aggregate accumulated benefit obligation for the U.S. pension plans was $49.3 million and $46.3 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The aggregate accumulated benefit obligation for the international pension plans was $138.4 million and $108.2 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
		U.S.								International
	In thousands	2014				2013				2014				2013
	Information for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in
	excess of Plan assets:
	Projected benefit obligation	$	(50,154	)		$	(47,090	)		$	(143,121	)		$	(117,717	)
	Accumulated benefit obligation		(49,303	)			(46,316	)			(138,443	)			(108,182	)
	Fair value of plan assets		41,503				42,980				104,232				100,798
	Information for pension plans with projected benefit obligations in
	excess of plan assets:
	Projected benefit obligation	$	(50,154	)		$	(47,090	)		$	(151,920	)		$	(126,998	)
	Fair value of plan assets		41,503				42,980				112,526				109,219
	Components of Net Periodic Benefit Costs
			U.S.												International
	In thousands		2014				2013				2012				2014			2013			2012
	Service cost		$	334			$	432			$	379			$	2,138		$	2,035		$	2,006
	Interest cost			2,070				1,960				2,113				8,102			6,661			7,114
	Expected return on plan assets			(2,476	)			(2,977	)			(3,095	)			(9,646	)		(8,418	)		(8,132	)
	Amortization of initial net obligation and prior service cost			23				62				62				248			270			322
	Amortization of net loss			2,197				3,180				2,968				2,768			3,107			2,412
	Settlement and curtailment losses recognized			-				-				-				(390	)		168			1,149
Net periodic benefit cost		$	2,148			$	2,657			$	2,427			$	3,220		$	3,823		$	4,871
Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income during 2014 are as follows:
In thousands		U.S.				International
Net (loss) gain arising during the year		$	(4,613	)		$	(15,098	)
Effect of exchange rates			-				3,918
Amortization, settlement, or curtailment recognition of net transition obligation			-				168
Amortization or curtailment recognition of prior service cost			23				(313	)
Amortization or settlement recognition of net loss			2,197				2,768
Total recognized in other comprehensive (loss) income		$	(2,393	)		$	(8,557	)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss)		$	(4,541	)		$	(11,777	)
The weighted average assumptions in the following table represent the rates used to develop the actuarial present value of the projected benefit obligation for the year listed and also the net periodic benefit cost for the following year.
		U.S.												International
		2014				2013				2012				2014			2013			2012
Discount rate			3.95	%			4.7	%			3.9	%			3.48	%		4.43	%		4.3	%
Expected return on plan assets			5.7	%			6.2	%			7.5	%			5.79	%		6.07	%		6.09	%
Rate of compensation increase			3	%			3	%			3	%			3.1	%		3.59	%		3.1	%
The discount rate is based on settling the pension obligation with high grade, high yield corporate bonds, and the rate of compensation increase is based on actual experience. The expected return on plan assets is based on historical performance as well as expected future rates of return on plan assets considering the current investment portfolio mix and the long-term investment strategy.
As of December 31, 2014 the following table represents the amounts included in other comprehensive loss that are expected to be recognized as components of periodic benefit costs in 2015.
In thousands		U.S.				International
Net transition obiligation		$	-			$	159
Prior service cost			3				61
Net actuarial loss			1,062				2,519
		$	1,065			$	2,739
Pension Plan Assets
The Company has established formal investment policies for the assets associated with our pension plans. Objectives include maximizing long-term return at acceptable risk levels and diversifying among asset classes. Asset allocation targets are based on periodic asset liability study results which help determine the appropriate investment strategies. The investment policies permit variances from the targets within certain parameters. The plan assets consist primarily of equity security funds, debt security funds, and temporary cash and cash equivalent investments. The assets held in these funds are generally passively managed and are valued at the net asset value per share multiplied by the number of shares held as of the measurement date. Generally, all plan assets are considered Level 2 based on the fair value valuation hierarchy (See Note 17 “Fair Value Measurement” included herein). Plan assets by asset category at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		U.S.								International
In thousands		2014				2013				2014				2013
Pension Plan Assets
Equity security funds		$	20,696			$	21,562			$	99,715			$	84,699
Debt security funds and other			20,034				20,749				78,510				66,238
Cash and cash equivalents			773				669				4,029				5,768
Fair value of plan assets		$	41,503			$	42,980			$	182,254			$	156,705
The U.S., Canadian and German pension plans have a target asset allocation of 50% equity securities and 50% debt securities. The United Kingdom plan has a target asset allocation of 62.5% equity securities and 37.5% debt securities. Investment policies are determined by the respective Plan’s Pension Committee and set forth in its Investment Policy. Rebalancing of the asset allocation occurs on a quarterly basis.
Cash Flows
The Company’s funding methods are based on governmental requirements and differ from those methods used to recognize pension expense. The Company expects to contribute $6.1 million to the international plans and does not expect to make a contribution to the U.S. plans during 2015.
Benefit payments expected to be paid to plan participants are as follows:
In thousands		U.S.				International
Year ended December 31,
2015		$	3,382			$	7,825
2016			3,377				7,582
2017			3,457				8,028
2018			3,409				8,197
2019			3,460				8,451
2020 through 2024			16,602				45,604
Post Retirement Benefit Plans
In addition to providing pension benefits, the Company has provided certain unfunded postretirement health care and life insurance benefits for a portion of North American employees. The Company is not obligated to pay health care and life insurance benefits to individuals who had retired prior to 1990.
The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for all post retirement plans. The following tables provide information regarding the Company’s post retirement benefit plans summarized by U.S. and international components.
Obligations and Funded Status
	U.S.								International
In thousands	2014				2013				2014				2013
Change in projected benefit obligation
Obligation at beginning of year	$	(25,860	)		$	(33,807	)		$	(3,871	)		$	(4,296	)
Service cost		(29	)			(47	)			(47	)			(48	)
Interest cost		(1,155	)			(1,113	)			(173	)			(172	)
Benefits paid		978				2,641				66				220
Actuarial (loss) gain		(5,806	)			6,466				(238	)			153
Effect of currency rate changes		-				-				358				272
Obligation at end of year	$	(31,872	)		$	(25,860	)		$	(3,905	)		$	(3,871	)
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	-			$	-			$	-			$	-
Employer contributions		978				1,158				162				220
Benefits paid		(978	)			(1,158	)			(162	)			(220	)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	-			$	-			$	-			$	-
Funded status
Fair value of plan assets	$	-			$	-			$	-			$	-
Benefit obilgations		(31,872	)			(25,860	)			(3,905	)			(3,871	)
Funded status	$	(31,872	)		$	(25,860	)		$	(3,905	)		$	(3,871	)
	U.S.								International
In thousands	2014				2013				2014				2013
Amounts recognized in the statement of financial position consist of:
Current liabilities	$	(1,305	)		$	(1,357	)		$	(212	)		$	(217	)
Noncurrent liabilities		(30,567	)			(24,503	)			(3,693	)			(3,654	)
Net amount recognized	$	(31,872	)		$	(25,860	)		$	(3,905	)		$	(3,871	)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
consist of:
Initial net obligation	$	-			$	-			$	-			$	-
Prior service credit		8,993				11,722				32				44
Net actuarial (loss) gain		(26,096	)			(21,619	)			422				761
Net amount recognized	$	(17,103	)		$	(9,897	)		$	454			$	805
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
		U.S.												International
In thousands		2014				2013				2012				2014			2013			2012
Service cost		$	29			$	47			$	24			$	47		$	48		$	45
Interest cost			1,155				1,113				1,387				173			172			201
Amortization of initial net obligation and prior service cost			(2,730	)			(2,689	)			(2,608	)			(8	)		(211	)		(240	)
Amortization of net loss (gain)			1,330				1,634				1,790				(141	)		(93	)		(90	)
Net periodic benefit (credit) cost		$	(216	)		$	105			$	593			$	71		$	(84	)	$	(84	)
Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income during 2014 are as follows:
In thousands		U.S.				International
Net loss arising during the year		$	(5,806	)		$	(149	)
Effect of exchange rates			-				(53	)
Amortization or curtailment recognition of prior service cost			(2,730	)			(96	)
Amortization or settlement recognition of net loss (gain)			1,330				(53	)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)		$	(7,206	)		$	(351	)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss)		$	(6,990	)		$	(422	)
The weighted average assumptions in the following table represent the rates used to develop the actuarial present value of the projected benefit obligation for the year listed and also the net periodic benefit cost for the following year. The discount rate is based on settling the pension obligation with high grade, high yield corporate bonds.
		U.S.												International
		2014				2013				2012				2014			2013			2012
Discount rate			3.95	%			4.7	%			3.9	%			3.96	%		4.6	%		4.3	%
As of December 31, 2014 the following table represents the amounts included in other comprehensive loss that are expected to be recognized as components of periodic benefit costs in 2015.
In thousands		U.S.				International
Prior service cost			(2,294	)			(8	)
Net actuarial loss (gain)			1,355				(33	)
		$	(939	)		$	(41	)
The assumed health care cost trend rate for the U.S. plans grades from an initial rate of 6.80% to an ultimate rate of 4.5% by 2027 and for international plans from 6.91% to 4.54% by 2027. A 1% increase in the assumed health care cost trend rate will increase the service and interest cost components of the expense recognized for the U.S. and international postretirement plans by approximately $145,000 and $16,000, respectively, for 2014, and increase the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation by approximately $4.7 million and $276,000, respectively. A 1% decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rate will decrease the service and interest cost components of the expense recognized for the U.S. and international postretirement plans by approximately $124,000 and $14,000, respectively, for 2014, and decrease the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation by approximately $3.9 million and $247,000, respectively.
Cash Flows
Benefit payments expected to be paid to plan participants are as follows:
In thousands		U.S.				International
Year ended December 31,
2015		$	1,305			$	212
2016			1,378				217
2017			1,406				216
2018			1,504				226
2019			1,596				241
2020 through 2024			9,247				1,405
Defined Contribution Plans
The Company also participates in certain defined contribution plans and multiemployer pension plans. Costs recognized under these plans are summarized as follows:
		For the year ended
		December 31,
In thousands		2014				2013				2012
Multi-employer pension and health & welfare plans		$	2,405			$	2,678			$	2,122
401(k) savings and other defined contribution plans			19,925				17,291				14,394
Total		$	22,330			$	19,969			$	16,516
The 401(k) savings plan is a participant directed defined contribution plan that holds shares of the Company’s stock as one of the investment options. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the plan held on behalf of its participants about 670,322 shares with a market value of $58.2 million, and 713,200 shares with a market value of $53.0 million, respectively.
Additionally, the Company has stock option based benefit and other plans further described in Note 12.
The Company contributes to several multiemployer defined benefit pension plans under collective bargaining agreements that cover certain of its union-represented employees. The risks of participating in such plans are different from the risks of single-employer plans. Assets contributed to a multiemployer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers. If a participating employer ceases to contribute to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers. If the Company ceases to have an obligation to contribute to the multiemployer plan in which it had been a contributing employer, it may be required to pay to the plan an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan and on the history of the Company’s participation in the plan prior to the cessation of its obligation to contribute. The amount that an employer that has ceased to have an obligation to contribute to a multiemployer plan is required to pay to the plan is referred to as a withdrawal liability.
The Company’s participation in multiemployer plans for the year ended December 31, 2014 is outlined in the table below. For plans that are not individually significant to the Company, the total amount of contributions is presented in the aggregate.
					Pension Protection						Contributions by												Expiration
					Act Zone Status (b)				FIP/		the Company												Dates of
									RP Status												Surcharge		Collective
									Pending/												Imposed		Bargaining
	Pension Fund		EIN/PN (a)		2012		2011		Implemented (c)		2014				2013			2012			(d)		Agreements
	Idaho Operating Engineers-		EIN # 91 - 6075538		Green		Green		No		$	1,745		-1	$	2,154	-1	$	1,803	-1	No		6/30/15
	Employers Pension Trust Fund		Plan #001
	Automobile Mechanics' Local No 701 Union and		EIN # 36 - 6042061		Red		Red		Yes (2)		$	660			$	524		$	310		Yes (3)		12/11/17
	Industry Pension Plan		Plan #001
									Other Plans		$	-			$	-		$	9
									Total Contributions		$	2,405			$	2,678		$	2,122
-1	The Company’s contribution represents more than 5% of the total contributions to the plan.
-2	The Pension Fund’s board adopted a Rehabilitation Plan on September 30, 2012, increasing the weekly pension fund contribution rates by $75 with corresponding decreases to the weekly welfare fund contribution rates.
-3	Critical status triggered a 5% surcharge on employer contributions effective June 2012.  Effective January 1, 2013, this surcharge increases to 10% and remains in effect until the Company’s union adopts the Rehabilitation Plan.
(a)	The “EIN / PN” column provides the Employer Identification Number and the three-digit plan number assigned to a plan by the Internal Revenue Service.
(b)	The most recent Pension Protection Act Zone Status available for 2012 and 2011 is for plan years that ended in 2012 and 2011, respectively. The zone status is based on information provided to the Company and other participating employers by each plan and is certified by the plan’s actuary. A plan in the “red” zone has been determined to be in “critical status”, based on criteria established under the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”), and is generally less than 65% funded. A plan in the “yellow” zone has been determined to be in “endangered status”, based on criteria established under the Code, and is generally less than 80% funded. A plan in the “green” zone has been determined to be neither in “critical status” nor in “endangered status”, and is generally at least 80% funded.
(c)	The “FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented” column indicates whether a Funding Improvement Plan, as required under the Code to be adopted by plans in the “yellow” zone, or a Rehabilitation Plan, as required under the Code to be adopted by plans in the “red” zone, is pending or has been implemented as of the end of the plan year that ended in 2014.
(d)	The “Surcharge Imposed” column indicates whether the Company’s contribution rate for 2014 included an amount in addition the contribution rate specified in the applicable collective bargaining agreement, as imposed by a plan in “critical status”, in accordance with the requirements of the Code.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	10	INCOME TAXES
	The Company is responsible for filing consolidated U.S., foreign and combined, unitary or separate state income tax returns. The Company is responsible for paying the taxes relating to such returns, including any subsequent adjustments resulting from the redetermination of such tax liabilities by the applicable taxing authorities.
	The components of the income from operations before provision for income taxes for the Company’s domestic and foreign operations for the years ended December 31 are provided below:
			For the year ended
			December 31,
	In thousands		2014			2013			2012
	Domestic		$	343,180		$	285,395		$	273,234
	Foreign			164,675			135,692			104,124
	Income from operations before income taxes		$	507,855		$	421,087		$	377,358
	Undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries amounted to approximately $640.8 million at December 31, 2014. Those earnings are considered to be indefinitely reinvested; accordingly, no provision for U.S. federal and state income taxes has been provided thereon. Upon repatriation of those earnings, in the form of dividends or otherwise, the Company would be subject to both U.S. income taxes (subject to an adjustment for foreign tax credits) and withholding taxes payable to the various foreign countries. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred U.S. income tax liability is not practicable due to the complexities associated with its hypothetical calculation. Withholding taxes of approximately $19.4 million would be payable upon remittance of all previously unremitted earnings at December 31, 2014.
	The consolidated provision for income taxes included in the Statement of Income consisted of the following:
			For the year ended
			December 31,
	In thousands		2014			2013			2012
	Current taxes
	Federal		$	108,782		$	70,459		$	81,630
	State			17,091			13,173			16,415
	Foreign			37,356			29,972			27,000
				163,229			113,604			125,045
	Deferred taxes
	Federal			2,287			11,146			(2,203	)
	State			1,404			1,375			851
	Foreign			(10,745	)		2,727			1,933
				(7,054	)		15,248			581
	Total provision		$	156,175		$	128,852		$	125,626
	A reconciliation of the United States federal statutory income tax rate to the effective income tax rate on operations for the years ended December 31 is provided below:
			For the year ended
			December 31,
	In thousands		2014			2013			2012
	U.S. federal statutory rate			35	%		35	%		35	%
	State taxes			2.2	%		2.2	%		2.8	%
	Tax reserves			0.3	%		0	%		0.3	%
	Foreign			(4.2	)%		(3.9	)%		(2.7	)%
	Research and development credit			(0.5	)%		(0.6	)%		(0.2	)%
	Manufacturing deduction			(1.8	)%		(1.7	)%		(2.1	)%
	Other, net			(0.2	)%		(0.4	)%		0.2	%
	Effective rate			30.8	%		30.6	%		33.3	%
	On September 13, 2013, Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service issued final regulations regarding the deduction and capitalization of expenditures related to tangible property. The final regulations under Internal Revenue Code Sections 162, 167 and 263(a) apply to amounts paid to acquire, produce, or improve tangible property as well as dispositions of such property and are generally effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2014.  We have evaluated these regulations and determined they will not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
	Deferred income taxes result from temporary differences in the recognition of income and expense for financial and income tax reporting purposes. These deferred income taxes will be recognized as future tax benefits or costs when the temporary differences reverse.
	Components of deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:
			December 31,
	In thousands		2014			2013
	Deferred income tax assets:
	Accrued expenses and reserves		$	34,167		$	32,243
	Warranty reserve			21,123			16,783
	Deferred compensation/employee benefits			21,759			21,326
	Pension and postretirement obligations			26,736			17,920
	Inventory			13,570			10,089
	Net operating loss carry forwards			5,036			5,770
	Tax credit carry forwards			1,078			4,126
	Gross deferred income tax assets			123,469			108,257
	Valuation allowance			1,818			3,332
	Total deferred income tax assets			121,651			104,925
	Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Property, plant & equipment			29,998			25,440
	Intangibles			157,781			140,317
	Other			144			2,045
	Total deferred income tax liabilities			187,923			167,802
	Net deferred income tax liability		$	(66,272	)	$	(62,877	)
	A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  As of December 31, 2014, the valuation allowance for certain foreign carryforwards was $1.8 million.
	State and foreign tax credit carry-forwards of approximately $1.1 million expire in various periods from December 31, 2015 to December 31, 2030. State net operating loss carry-forwards in the amount of $5.0 million expire in various periods from December 31, 2015 to December 31, 2035.
	As of December 31, 2014, the liability for income taxes associated with uncertain tax positions was $12.6 million, of which $5.5 million, if recognized, would favorably affect the Company’s effective income tax rate. As of December 31, 2013, the liability for income taxes associated with uncertain tax positions was $10.5 million, of which $4.7 million, if recognized, would favorably affect the Company’s effective tax rate. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of the liability for income taxes associated with uncertain tax positions follows:
	In thousands		2014			2013			2012
	Gross liability for uncertain tax positions at beginning of year		$	10,531		$	11,267		$	8,204
Gross increases - uncertain tax positions in prior periods			30			55			180
Gross increases - current period uncertain tax positions			2,756			3,279			4,649
Gross decreases - uncertain tax positions in prior periods			(463	)		-			-
Gross decreases - audit settlement during year			(77	)		(2,515	)		(648	)
Gross decreases - expiration of audit statute of limitations			(181	)		(1,555	)		(1,118	)
Gross liability for uncertain tax positions at end of year		$	12,596		$	10,531		$	11,267
The Company includes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. As of December 31, 2014, the total interest and penalties accrued was approximately $1.9 million and $1.3 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, the total interest and penalties accrued was approximately $1.5 million and $0.9 million, respectively.
With limited exception, the Company is no longer subject to examination by various U.S. and foreign taxing authorities for years before 2011. At this time, the Company believes that it is reasonably possible that unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $0.7 million may change within the next 12 months due to the expiration of statutory review periods and current examinations.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	11	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	The computation of earnings per share from operations is as follows:
		For the Year Ended
		December 31,
	In thousands, except per share data	2014			2013			2012
	Numerator
	Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per common share - net income attributable
	to Wabtec shareholders	$	351,680		$	292,235		$	251,732
	Less: dividends declared - common shares and non-vested restricted stock		(19,246	)		(12,644	)		(7,666	)
	Undistributed earnings		332,434			279,591			244,066
	Percentage allocated to common shareholders (1)		99.6	%		99.5	%		99.5	%
			331,104			278,193			242,846
	Add: dividends declared - common shares		19,167			12,583			7,625
	Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per common share	$	350,271		$	290,776		$	250,471
	Denominator
	Denominator for basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares		95,781			95,463			95,469
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Assumed conversion of dilutive stock-based compensation plans		1,104			1,369			1,273
	Denominator for diluted earnings per common share - adjusted weighted average
	shares and assumed conversion		96,885			96,832			96,742
	Net income per common share attributable to Wabtec shareholders
	Basic	$	3.66		$	3.05		$	2.62
	Diluted	$	3.62		$	3.01		$	2.6
	(1) Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding		95,781			95,463			95,469
	Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding and non-vested restricted
	stock expected to vest		96,175			95,932			95,976
	Percentage allocated to common shareholders		99.6	%		99.5	%		99.5	%
	Options to purchase approximately 17,000, 12,000, and 38,000 shares of Common Stock were outstanding in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the options’ exercise price exceeded the average market price of the common shares.

Stockbased_Compensation_Plans

Stock-based Compensation Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Stock-based Compensation Plans	12	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company maintains employee stock-based compensation plans for stock options, restricted stock, and incentive stock awards as governed by the 2011 Stock Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2011 Plan”) and the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2000 Plan”).  The 2011 Plan has a 10 year term through March 27, 2021 and as of December 31, 2014 the number of shares available for future grants under the 2011 Plan was 3,393,779 shares, which includes remaining shares to grant under the 2000 Plan.  The 2011 Plan was approved by stockholders of Wabtec on May 11, 2011. The Company also maintains a 1995 Non-Employee Directors’ Fee and Stock Option Plan (“ the Directors Plan”).  The Directors Plan, as amended, authorizes a total of 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock to be issued. Under the Directors Plan options issued become exercisable over a three-year vesting period and expire ten years from the date of grant and restricted stock issued under the plan vests one year from the date of grant. As compensation for directors’ fees for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company issued a total of 12,704, 17,875 and 22,010 shares of restricted stock to non-employee directors. The total number of shares issued under the plan as of December 31, 2014 was 836,464 shares. No awards may be made under the Directors Plan subsequent to October 31, 2016.
	Stock-based compensation expense for all of the plans was $26.1 million, $24.1 million and $19.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company recognized associated tax benefits related to the stock-based compensation plans of $7.6 million, $7.9 million and $5.9 million for the respective periods. Included in the stock-based compensation expense for 2014 above is $2.3 million of expense related to stock options, $6.2 million related to non-vested restricted stock, $2.7 million related to restricted stock units, $13.9 million related to incentive stock awards and $1.0 million related to awards issued for Directors’ fees. At December 31, 2014, unamortized compensation expense related to those stock options, non-vested restricted shares and incentive stock awards expected to vest totaled $22.8 million and will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.0 years.
	Stock Options Stock options are granted to eligible employees and directors at the fair market value, which is the average of the high and low Wabtec stock price on the date of grant. Under the 2011 Plan and the 2000 Plan, options become exercisable over a four year vesting period and expire 10 years from the date of grant.
	The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activity and related information for the 2011 Plan, the 2000 Plan and Directors Plan for the years ended December 31:
					Weighted
					Average			Weighted Average			Aggregate
					Exercise			Remaining			Intrinsic value
		Options			Price			Contractual Life			(in thousands)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2011		1,724,784		$	17.37			6.5		$	30,362
	Granted		151,396			35.36						1,274
	Exercised		(346,736	)		12.78						(10,746	)
	Canceled		(63,766	)		19.11						(1,573	)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012		1,465,678		$	20.24			6.3		$	34,487
	Granted		116,392			48.29						3,024
	Exercised		(344,806	)		14.98						(20,444	)
	Canceled		(4,402	)		26.61						(210	)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013		1,232,862		$	24.36			6.1		$	61,530
	Granted		81,552			73.2						1,116
	Exercised		(163,786	)		20.37						(10,895	)
	Canceled		(3,070	)		52.73						(105	)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		1,147,558		$	28.33			5.5		$	67,205
	Exercisable at December 31, 2014		795,942		$	20.83			4.6		$	52,577
	Options outstanding at December 31, 2014 were as follows:
						Weighted
						Average			Weighted
						Exercise			Average			Number of		Weighted Average
			Number of			Price of			Remaining			Options		Exercise Price of
			Options			Options			Contractual			Currently		Options Currently
	Range of exercise prices		Outstanding			Outstanding			Life			Exercisable		Exercisable
	Under $15.00			222,500		$	14.46			4			222,500	$	14.46
	15.00 - 23.00			379,148			18.2			3.9			379,148		18.2
	23.00 - 30.00			203,834			28.73			5.9			108,328		28.76
	30.00 - 38.00			148,868			35.04			7.1			61,182		35.22
	Over 38.00			193,208			58.59			8.5			24,784		48.29
				1,147,558		$	28.33						795,942	$	20.83
	The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
		For the year ended
		December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Dividend yield		0.11	%		0.21	%		0.23	%
	Risk-free interest rate		2.2	%		1.4	%		1.4	%
	Stock price volatility		33			43.8			45
	Expected life (years)		5			5			5
	Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year	$	22.82		$	17.6		$	13.21
	The dividend yield is based on the Company’s dividend rate and the current market price of the underlying common stock at the date of grant. Expected life in years is determined from historical stock option exercise data. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The risk-free interest rate is based on the 7 year U.S. Treasury bond rates for the expected life of the option.
	Restricted Stock and Incentive Stock  Beginning in 2006 the Company adopted a restricted stock program. As provided for under the 2011 and 2000 Plans, eligible employees are granted restricted stock that generally vests over four years from the date of grant. Under the Directors Plan, restricted stock awards vest one year from the date of grant.
	In addition, the Company has issued incentive stock awards to eligible employees that vest upon attainment of certain cumulative three-year performance goals. Based on the Company’s performance for each three year period then ended, the incentive stock awards can vest and be awarded ranging from 0% to 200% of the initial incentive stock awards granted. The incentive stock awards included in the table below represent the number of shares that are expected to vest based on the Company’s estimate for meeting those established performance targets. As of December 31, 2014, the Company estimates that it will achieve 181%, 105% and 113% for the incentive stock awards expected to vest based on performance for the three year periods ending December 31, 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively, and has recorded incentive compensation expense accordingly. If our estimate of the number of these stock awards expected to vest changes in a future accounting period, cumulative compensation expense could increase or decrease and will be recognized in the current period for the elapsed portion of the vesting period and would change future expense for the remaining vesting period.
	Compensation expense for the non-vested restricted stock and incentive stock awards is based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant and recognized over the applicable vesting period.
	The following table summarizes the restricted stock activity and related information for the 2011 Plan, the 2000 Plan, and Directors Plan, and incentive stock awards activity and related information for the 2011 Plan and the 2000 Plan with related information for the years ended December 31:
								Weighted
		Restricted			Incentive			Average Grant
		Stock			Stock			Date Fair
		and Units			Awards			Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2011		549,218			1,292,724		$	22.02
	Granted		223,960			237,320			35.45
	Vested		(197,388	)		(244,158	)		17.87
	Adjustment for incentive stock awards expected to vest		-			69,778			32.77
	Canceled		(29,016	)		(26,586	)		22.52
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012		546,774			1,329,078		$	26.69
	Granted		173,887			200,090			48.62
	Vested		(204,494	)		(570,918	)		20.86
	Adjustment for incentive stock awards expected to vest		-			91,694			33.49
	Canceled		(6,038	)		(6,350	)		26.98
Outstanding at December 31, 2013		510,129			1,043,594		$	35.27
Granted		150,886			140,240			73.68
Vested		(218,502	)		(458,536	)		29.83
Adjustment for incentive stock awards expected to vest		-			74,680			47.56
Canceled		(3,970	)		(8,370	)		48.5
Outstanding at December 31, 2014		438,543			791,608		$	47.97

Other_Comprehensive_Loss

Other Comprehensive Loss	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Comprehensive Loss [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Loss	13.OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were:
			December 31,
	In thousands		2014				2013
	Foreign currency translation gain		$	(94,450	)		$	17,326
	Unrealized loss on interest rate swap contracts, net of tax of $1,357 and $1,252			(2,243	)			(2,010	)
	Pension and post-retirement benefit plans, net of tax of $(28,321) and $(22,434)			(62,793	)			(50,172	)
	Total accumulated other comprehensive loss		$	(159,486	)		$	(34,856	)
	The changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component, net of tax, for the year-ended December 31, 2014 are as follows:
										Pension and
		Foreign								post
		currency				Derivative				retirement
	In thousands	translation				contracts				benefits plans			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	17,326			$	(2,010	)		$	(50,172	)	$	(34,856	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		(111,776	)			(1,734	)			(15,235	)		(128,745	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
	comprehensive income		-				1,501				2,614			4,115
	Net current period other comprehensive income		(111,776	)			(233	)			(12,621	)		(124,630	)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	(94,450	)		$	(2,243	)		$	(62,793	)	$	(159,486	)
	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the year-ended December 31, 2014 are as follows:
		Amount reclassified from				Affected line item in the
		accumulated other				Condensed Consolidated
	In thousands	comprehensive income				Statements of Income
	Amortization of defined pension and post retirement items
	Amortization of initial net obligation and prior service cost	$	(2,467	)		Cost of sales
	Amortization of net loss (gain)		6,242			Cost of sales
			3,775			Income from Operations
			(1,161	)		Income tax expense
		$	2,614			Net income
	Derivative contracts
	Realized loss on derivative contracts		2,168			Interest expense, net
			(667	)		Income tax expense
		$	1,501			Net income

Operating_Leases

Operating Leases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Leases [Abstract]
Operating Leases	14	OPERATING LEASES
	The Company leases office and manufacturing facilities under operating leases with terms ranging from one to 15 years, excluding renewal options.
	Total net rental expense charged to operations in 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $20.0 million, $18.2 million and $14.7 million respectively. The amounts above are shown net of sublease rentals of $0.1 million, $0.3 million and $0.2 million for the years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Future minimum rental payments under operating leases with remaining non-cancelable terms in excess of one year are as follows:
			Real
	In thousands		Estate		Equipment		Total
	2015		$	15,846	$	1,976	$	17,822
	2016			14,508		1,473		15,981
	2017			11,584		1,014		12,598
	2018			9,352		679		10,031
	2019			8,625		483		9,108
	2020 and after			21,675		1		21,676

Warranties

Warranties	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Changes In Product Warranty Reserve [Abstract]
Warranties	15	WARRANTIES
	The following table reconciles the changes in the Company’s product warranty reserve as follows:
		For the year ended
		December 31,
	In thousands	2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of period	$	60,593		$	58,212
	Warranty expense		34,110			23,059
	Acquisitions		14,375			2,227
	Warranty claim payments		(19,570	)		(20,603	)
	Foreign currency impact/other		(1,659	)		(2,302	)
	Balance at end of period	$	87,849		$	60,593

Preferred_Stock

Preferred Stock	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Preferred Stock Additional Information [Abstract]
Preferred Stock	16	PREFERRED STOCK
	The Company’s authorized capital stock includes 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The Board of Directors has the authority to issue the preferred stock and to fix the designations, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each such class or series, including dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, without any further vote or action by the Company’s shareholders. The rights and preferences of the preferred stock would be superior to those of the common stock. At December 31, 2014 and 2013 there was no preferred stock issued or outstanding.

Fair_Value_Measurement_and_Fai

Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments

17

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT AND FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and explains the related disclosure requirements. ASC 820 indicates, among other things, that a fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell an asset or transfer a liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability and defines fair value based upon an exit price model.

Valuation Hierarchy. ASC 820 establishes a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs to valuation used to measure fair value. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on the Company’s assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value. A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The following table provides the liabilities carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014, which are included in other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance sheet:

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014 Using

Total Carrying

Quoted Prices in

Significant

Value at

Active Markets for

Significant Other

Unobservable

December 31,

Identical Assets

Observable Inputs

Inputs

In thousands

2014

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Interest rate swap agreements

3,351

-

3,351

-

Total

$

3,351

$

-

$

3,351

$

-

The following table provides the liabilities carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013, which are included in other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance sheet:

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013 Using

Total Carrying

Quoted Prices in

Significant

Value at

Active Markets for

Significant Other

Unobservable

December 31,

Identical Assets

Observable Inputs

Inputs

In thousands

2013

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Interest rate swap agreements

3,005

-

3,005

-

Total

$

3,005

$

-

$

3,005

$

-

To reduce the impact of interest rate changes on a portion of its variable-rate debt, the Company entered into interest rate swaps which effectively converted a portion of the debt from variable to fixed-rate borrowings during the term of the swap contracts. For certain derivative contracts whose fair values are based upon trades in liquid markets, such as interest rate swaps, valuation model inputs can generally be verified and valuation techniques do not involve significant management judgment. The fair values of such financial instruments are generally classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

As a result of our global operating activities the Company is exposed to market risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, which may adversely affect our operating results and financial position. When deemed appropriate, the Company minimizes these risks through entering into foreign currency forward contracts. The foreign currency forward contracts are valued using broker quotations, or market transactions in either the listed or over-the counter markets. As such, these derivative instruments are classified within level 2.

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less and are considered Level 1 on the fair value valuation hierarchy. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximated the carrying value at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The Company’s defined benefit pension plan assets consist primarily of equity security funds, debt security funds and temporary cash and cash equivalent investments. Generally, all plan assets are considered Level 2 based on the fair value valuation hierarchy. These investments are comprised of a number of investment funds that invest in a diverse portfolio of assets including equity securities, corporate and governmental bonds, and money markets.  Trusts are valued at the net asset value (“NAV”) as determined by their custodian.  NAV represent the accumulation of the unadjusted quoted close prices on the reporting date for the underlying investments divided by the total shares outstanding at the reporting dates.  The 2013 Notes are considered Level 2 based on the fair value valuation hierarchy.

The estimated fair values and related carrying values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:

31-Dec-14

31-Dec-13

Carry

Fair

Carry

Fair

In thousands

Value

Value

Value

Value

Interest rate swap agreements

$

3,351

$

3,351

$

3,005

$

3,005

4.375% Senior Notes

250,000

260,000

250,000

253,135

The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap agreements and the 2013 Notes were based on dealer quotes and represent the estimated amount the Company would pay to the counterparty to terminate the agreement.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	18	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	The Company is subject to a variety of environmental laws and regulations governing discharges to air and water, the handling, storage and disposal of hazardous or solid waste materials and the remediation of contamination associated with releases of hazardous substances. The Company believes its operations currently comply in all material respects with all of the various environmental laws and regulations applicable to our business; however, there can be no assurance that environmental requirements will not change in the future or that we will not incur significant costs to comply with such requirements.
	Under terms of the purchase agreement and related documents for the 1990 Acquisition, American Standard, Inc., now known as Trane (“Trane”), has indemnified the Company for certain items including, among other things, certain environmental claims the Company asserted prior to 2000. If Trane was unable to honor or meet these indemnifications, the Company would be responsible for such items. In the opinion of Management, Trane currently has the ability to meet its indemnification obligations.
	Claims have been filed against the Company and certain of its affiliates in various jurisdictions across the United States by persons alleging bodily injury as a result of exposure to asbestos-containing products. Most of these claims have been made against our wholly owned subsidiary, Railroad Friction Products Corporation (“RFPC”), and are based on a product sold by RFPC prior to the time that the Company acquired any interest in RFPC.
	Most of these claims, including all of the RFPC claims, are submitted to insurance carriers for defense and indemnity or to non-affiliated companies that retain the liabilities for the asbestos-containing products at issue. We cannot, however, assure that all these claims will be fully covered by insurance or that the indemnitors or insurers will remain financially viable. Our ultimate legal and financial liability with respect to these claims, as is the case with other pending litigation, cannot be estimated.
	It is Management’s belief that the potential range of loss for asbestos-related bodily injury cases is not reasonably determinable at present due to a variety of factors, including: (1) the asbestos case settlement history of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, RFPC; (2) the unpredictable nature of personal injury litigation in general; and (3) the uncertainty of asbestos litigation in particular. Despite this uncertainty, and although the results of the Company’s operations and cash flows for any given period could be adversely affected by asbestos-related lawsuits, Management believes that the final resolution of the Company’s asbestos-related cases will not be material to the Company’s overall financial position, results of operations and cash flows. In general, this belief is based upon: (1) Wabtec’s and RFPC’s history of settlements and dismissals of asbestos-related cases to date; (2) the inability of many plaintiffs to establish any exposure or causal relationship to RFPC’s product; and (3) the inability of many plaintiffs to demonstrate any identifiable injury or compensable loss.
	More specifically, as to RFPC, Management’s belief that any losses due to asbestos-related cases would not be material is also based on the fact that RFPC owns insurance which provides coverage for asbestos-related bodily injury claims. To date, RFPC’s insurers have provided RFPC with defense and indemnity in these actions. The overall number of new claims being filed against RFPC has dropped significantly in recent years; however, these new claims, and all previously filed claims, may take a significant period of time to resolve. As to Wabtec and its divisions, Management’s belief that asbestos-related cases will not have a material impact is also based on its position that it has no legal liability for asbestos-related bodily injury claims, and that the former owners of Wabtec’s assets retained asbestos liabilities for the products at issue. To date, Wabtec has been able to successfully defend itself on this basis, including two arbitration decisions and a judicial opinion, all of which confirmed Wabtec’s position that it did not assume any asbestos liabilities from the former owners of certain Wabtec assets. Although Wabtec has incurred defense and administrative costs in connection with asbestos bodily injury actions, these costs have not been material, and the Company has no information that would suggest these costs would become material in the foreseeable future.
	From time to time the Company is involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of its operations in the ordinary course of business. As of the date hereof, the Company is involved in no litigation that the Company believes will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	19	SEGMENT INFORMATION
	Wabtec has two reportable segments—the Freight Segment and the Transit Segment. The key factors used to identify these reportable segments are the organization and alignment of the Company’s internal operations, the nature of the products and services, and customer type. The business segments are:
	Freight Segment primarily manufactures and services components for new and existing freight cars and locomotives, builds new switcher locomotives, rebuilds freight locomotives, supplies railway electronics, positive train control equipment, signal design and engineering services, and provides related heat exchange and cooling systems. Customers include large, publicly traded railroads, leasing companies, manufacturers of original equipment such as locomotives and freight cars, and utilities.
	Transit Segment primarily manufactures and services components for new and existing passenger transit vehicles, typically subway cars and buses, builds new commuter locomotives and refurbishes subway cars. Customers include public transit authorities and municipalities, leasing companies, and manufacturers of subway cars and buses around the world.
	The Company evaluates its business segments’ operating results based on income from operations. Corporate activities include general corporate expenses, elimination of intersegment transactions, interest income and expense and other unallocated charges. Since certain administrative and other operating expenses and other items have not been allocated to business segments, the results in the following tables are not necessarily a measure computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and may not be comparable to other companies.
	Segment financial information for 2014 is as follows:
								Corporate
		Freight			Transit			Activities and
	In thousands	Segment			Segment			Elimination			Total
	Sales to external customers	$	1,731,477		$	1,312,977		$	-		$	3,044,454
	Intersegment sales/(elimination)		36,185			7,358			(43,543	)		-
	Total sales	$	1,767,662		$	1,320,335		$	(43,543	)	$	3,044,454
	Income (loss) from operations	$	402,456		$	147,821		$	(23,168	)	$	527,109
	Interest expense and other, net		-			-			(19,254	)		(19,254	)
	Income (loss) from operations before income taxes	$	402,456		$	147,821		$	(42,422	)	$	507,855
	Depreciation and amortization	$	34,579		$	24,956		$	1,726		$	61,261
	Capital expenditures		22,913			22,859			1,890			47,662
	Segment assets		2,516,645			2,024,312			(1,237,116	)		3,303,841
	Segment financial information for 2013 is as follows:
								Corporate
		Freight			Transit			Activities and
	In thousands	Segment			Segment			Elimination			Total
	Sales to external customers	$	1,398,103		$	1,168,289		$	-		$	2,566,392
	Intersegment sales/(elimination)		25,463			6,992			(32,455	)	$	-
	Total sales	$	1,423,566		$	1,175,281		$	(32,455	)	$	2,566,392
	Income (loss) from operations	$	309,133		$	143,634		$	(15,457	)	$	437,310
	Interest expense and other, net		-			-			(16,223	)		(16,223	)
	Income (loss) from operations before income taxes	$	309,133		$	143,634		$	(31,680	)	$	421,087
	Depreciation and amortization	$	30,645		$	19,103		$	1,445		$	51,193
	Capital expenditures		22,020			17,119			2,099			41,238
	Segment assets		2,258,773			1,706,829			(1,143,605	)		2,821,997
	Segment financial information for 2012 is as follows:
								Corporate
		Freight			Transit			Activities and
	In thousands	Segment			Segment			Elimination			Total
	Sales to external customers	$	1,501,911		$	889,211		$	-		$	2,391,122
	Intersegment sales/(elimination)		22,670			7,752			(30,422	)		-
	Total sales	$	1,524,581		$	896,963		$	(30,422	)	$	2,391,122
	Income (loss) from operations	$	314,627		$	94,861		$	(17,209	)	$	392,279
	Interest expense and other, net		-			-			(14,921	)		(14,921	)
	Income (loss) from operations before income taxes	$	314,627		$	94,861		$	(32,130	)	$	377,358
	Depreciation and amortization	$	26,436		$	16,583		$	1,117		$	44,136
	Capital expenditures		25,095			8,688			2,218			36,001
	Segment assets		1,895,512			1,599,835			(1,143,805	)		2,351,542
	The following geographic area data as of and for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, includes net sales based on product shipment destination and long-lived assets, which consist of plant, property and equipment, net of depreciation, resident in their respective countries:
			Net Sales									Long-Lived Assets
	In thousands		2014			2013			2012			2014		2013		2012
	United States		$	1,537,002		$	1,336,604		$	1,199,294		$	158,913	$	150,952	$	131,850
	United Kingdom			362,855			297,139			255,326			62,305		43,733		28,905
	Canada			175,561			167,417			194,493			5,462		6,442		11,043
	Mexico			174,218			128,184			139,089			7,812		5,862		4,886
	Australia			113,668			141,056			191,994			6,505		5,033		5,151
	China			101,889			49,952			28,886			12,788		7,863		7,555
	Germany			86,792			54,869			38,574			33,441		13,599		12,914
	Brazil			83,906			78,532			96,620			5,074		1,031		1,082
	Italy			42,865			42,702			39,462			17,913		21,374		20,926
	France			41,469			37,925			42,310			7,686		8,437		7,715
	Netherlands			19,452			9,921			1,152			10,201		2,459		2,651
	Other international			304,777			222,091			163,922			11,011		9,293		9,410
	Total		$	3,044,454		$	2,566,392		$	2,391,122		$	339,111	$	276,078	$	244,088
	Export sales from the Company’s United States operations were $521.7 million, $542.3 million and $579.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Sales by product are as follows:
	Sales by product are as follows:
	In thousands	2014			2013			2012
Specialty Products & Electronics	$	1,393,955		$	1,041,771		$	1,094,148
Brake Products		662,336			567,730			527,399
Remanufacturing, Overhaul & Build		618,885			655,387			496,883
Other Transit Products		201,913			204,115			197,634
Other		167,365			97,389			75,058
Total sales	$	3,044,454		$	2,566,392		$	2,391,122

Other_Income_Expense

Other Income (Expense)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Income And Expenses [Abstract]
Other Income (Expense)	20	OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
	The components of other expense are as follows:
		For the year ended
		December 31,
	In thousands	2014			2013			2012
	Foreign currency (loss)	$	(2,445	)	$	(3,512	)	$	(134	)
	Other miscellaneous income (expense)		765			2,630			(536	)
	Total other (expense) income, net	$	(1,680	)	$	(882	)	$	(670	)

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Selected Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	21	SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
			First		Second		Third		Fourth
	In thousands, except per share data		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
	2014
	Net sales		$	695,249	$	731,068	$	797,271	$	820,866
	Gross profit			209,569		224,658		247,458		254,297
	Income from operations			121,846		132,323		135,977		136,963
	Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders			80,134		88,705		90,155		92,686
	Basic earnings from operations per common share (1)		$	0.84	$	0.92	$	0.94	$	0.96
	Diluted earnings from operations per common share (1)		$	0.83	$	0.91	$	0.93	$	0.95
	2013
	Net sales		$	615,510	$	638,002	$	631,398	$	681,482
	Gross profit			182,888		192,881		188,133		200,125
	Income from operations			103,667		112,554		109,871		111,218
	Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders			69,613		74,638		73,943		74,041
	Basic earnings from operations per common share (1)		$	0.73	$	0.78	$	0.77	$	0.77
	Diluted earnings from operations per common share (1)		$	0.72	$	0.77	$	0.76	$	0.76
	The Company operates on a four-four-five week accounting quarter, and the quarters end on or about March 31, June 30 and September 30. The fiscal year ends on December 31.
	-1	Information above for basic earnings from operations per common share and diluted earnings from operations per common share for all periods presented reflects the two-for-one split of the Company’s common stock, which occurred on May 14, 2013.

Valuation_And_Qualifying_Accou

Valuation And Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts	SCHEDULE II
	WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
	VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
	For each of the three years ended December 31
	In thousands		Balance at		Charged/			Charged to		Deductions		Balance
			beginning		(credited) to			other		from		at end of
			of period		expense			accounts (1)		reserves (2)		period
	2014
	Warranty and overhaul reserves		$	60,593	$	34,110		$	12,717	$	19,570	$	87,850
	Allowance for doubtful accounts			5,707		4,200			—		3,637		6,270
	Valuation allowance-taxes			3,332		(1,514	)		—		—		1,818
	Merger and restructuring reserve			775		—			—		89		686
	2013
	Warranty and overhaul reserves		$	58,212	$	23,059		$	(75)	$	20,603	$	60,593
	Allowance for doubtful accounts			6,656		2,361			—		3,310		5,707
	Valuation allowance-taxes			2,141		1,191			—		—		3,332
	Merger and restructuring reserve			836		—			—		61		775
	2012
	Warranty and overhaul reserves		$	50,640	$	22,862		$	1,682	$	16,972	$	58,212
	Allowance for doubtful accounts			8,406		2,484			72		4,306		6,656
	Valuation allowance-taxes			—		2,141			—		—		2,141
	Merger and restructuring reserve			960		—			—		124		836
	-1	Reserves of acquired/(sold) companies; valuation allowances for state and foreign deferred tax assets; impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
	-2	Actual disbursements and/or charges.

Recovered_Sheet1

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority owned subsidiaries. Such statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Sales between subsidiaries are billed at prices consistent with sales to third parties and are eliminated in consolidation.
Capital Structure	Capital Structure On May 14, 2013, our stockholders approved an amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of our common stock to 200.0 million shares.  In addition, on May 14, 2013, our Board of Directors approved a two-for-one split of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock in the form of a 100% stock dividend.  The increase in the authorized shares and the stock split became effective on May 14, 2013 and June 11, 2013, respectively.
	The Company issued approximately 66.2 million shares of its common stock as a result of the two-for-one stock split. The par value of the Company’s common stock remained unchanged at $0.01 per share.
	Information regarding shares of common stock (except par value per share), retained earnings, and net income per common share attributable to Wabtec shareholders for all periods presented reflects the two-for-one split of the Company’s common stock. The number of shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and vesting of other stock-based awards was proportionally increased, and the exercise price per share thereof was proportionally decreased, in accordance with the terms of the stock incentive plans.
Cash Equivalents	Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The allowance for doubtful accounts receivable reflects our best estimate of probable losses inherent in our receivable portfolio determined on the basis of historical experience, specific allowances for known troubled accounts and other currently available evidence. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $6.3 million and $5.7 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Inventories	Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined under the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Inventory costs include material, labor and overhead.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment additions are stated at cost. Expenditures for renewals and improvements are capitalized. Expenditures for ordinary maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. The Company provides for book depreciation principally on the straight-line method. Accelerated depreciation methods are utilized for income tax purposes.
Leasing Arrangements	Leasing Arrangements The Company conducts a portion of its operations from leased facilities and finances certain equipment purchases through lease agreements. In those cases in which the lease term approximates the useful life of the leased asset or the lease meets certain other prerequisites, the leasing arrangement is classified as a capital lease. The remaining arrangements are treated as operating leases.
Intangible Assets	Intangible Assets Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized. Other intangibles (with definite lives) are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic lives. Amortizable intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when indicators of impairment are present. The Company tests goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually. The Company performs its annual impairment test during the fourth quarter after the annual forecasting process is completed, and also tests for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Periodically, Management of the Company assesses whether or not an indicator of impairment is present that would necessitate an impairment analysis be performed.
	For 2014, the Company opted to perform a qualitative assessment and determined that step two was not necessary.  In assessing the qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we assess relevant events and circumstances that may impact the fair value and the carrying amount of the reporting unit. The identification of relevant events and circumstances and how these may impact a reporting unit’s fair value or carrying amount involve significant judgments and assumptions. The judgment and assumptions include the identification of macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, Wabtec specific events and share price trends and making the assessment on whether each relevant factor will impact the impairment test positively or negatively and the magnitude of any such impact.
	If our qualitative assessment concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the Company then performs a two-step impairment test. In the first step of the quantitative assessment, our assets and liabilities, including existing goodwill and other intangible assets, are assigned to the identified reporting units to determine the carrying value of the reporting units. The Company reviews goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level. The Company prepares its goodwill impairment analysis by comparing the estimated fair value of each reporting unit, using an income approach (a discounted cash flow model) as well as a market approach, with its carrying value. The income approach and the market approach are equally weighted in arriving at fair value, which the Company has applied consistently. The discounted cash flow model requires several assumptions including future sales growth, EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) margins and capital expenditures for the reporting units. The discounted cash flow model also requires the use of a discount rate and a terminal revenue growth rate (the revenue growth rate for the period beyond the three years forecasted by the reporting units), as well as projections of future operating margins. The market approach requires several assumptions including EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) multiples for comparable companies that operate in the same markets as the Company’s reporting units.
Warranty Costs	Warranty Costs Warranty costs are accrued based on Management’s estimates of repair or upgrade costs per unit and historical experience. Warranty expense was $34.1 million, $23.1 million and $22.9 million for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Accrued warranty was $87.8 million and $60.6 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Income taxes are accounted for under the liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws. The provision for income taxes includes federal, state and foreign income taxes.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation The Company recognizes compensation expense for stock-based compensation based on the grant date fair value amortized ratably over the requisite service period following the date of grant.
Financial Derivatives and Hedging Activities	Financial Derivatives and Hedging Activities The Company has entered into foreign currency forward contracts to reduce the impact of changes in currency exchange rates. Foreign currency forward contracts are agreements with a counterparty to exchange two distinct currencies at a set exchange rate for delivery on a set date at some point in the future. There is no exchange of funds until the delivery date. At the delivery date the Company can either take delivery of the currency or settle on a net basis. At December 31, 2014, the Company had no material foreign currency forward contracts.
	To reduce the impact of interest rate changes on a portion of this variable-rate debt, the Company has entered into two forward starting interest rate swap agreement with a notional value of $150.0 million. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has recorded a current liability of $3.4 million and a corresponding offset in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $2.0 million, net of tax, related to this agreement. For further information regarding the forward starting interest rate swap agreements, see Footnote 8.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries, except for the Company’s Mexican operations whose functional currency is the U.S. Dollar, are translated at the rate of exchange in effect on the balance sheet date while income and expenses are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Foreign currency gains and losses resulting from transactions, and the translation of financial statements are recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements based upon the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 830, “Foreign Currency Matters.” The effects of currency exchange rate changes on intercompany transactions and balances of a long-term investment nature are accumulated and carried as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. The effects of currency exchange rate changes on intercompany transactions that are denominated in a currency other than an entity’s functional currency are charged or credited to earnings. Foreign exchange transaction losses recognized in other (expense) income, net were $2.4 million, $3.5 million and $0.1 million for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Noncontrolling Interests	Noncontrolling Interests In accordance with ASC 810, the Company has classified noncontrolling interests as equity on our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was not material.
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as net income and all other non-owner changes in shareholders’ equity. The Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income consists of foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency hedges, foreign exchange contracts, interest rate swaps, and pension and post retirement related adjustments.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognized in accordance with ASC 605 “Revenue Recognition,”  The Company recognized revenue when the following criteria are met: 1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; 2) delivery has occurred; 3) an established sales price has been set with the customer; 4) collection of the sale revenue from the customer is reasonably assured; and 5) no contingencies exist.  Delivery is considered to have occurred when the customer assumes the risk and rewards of ownership.  The Company estimates and records provisions for quantity rebates and sales returns and allowances as an offset to revenue in the same period the related revenue is recognized, based upon its experience.  These items are included as a reduction in deriving net sales.
	In general, the Company recognizes revenues on long-term contracts based on the percentage of completion method of accounting. The units-of-delivery method or other input-based or output-based measures, as appropriate, are used to measure the progress toward completion of individual contracts. Contract revenues and cost estimates are reviewed and revised quarterly at a minimum and adjustments are reflected in the accounting period as such amounts are determined. Provisions are made currently for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts. Unbilled accounts receivables were $187.8 million and $205.0 million, customer deposits were $111.8 million and $66.6 million, and provisions for loss contracts were $7.1 million and $14.0 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Certain pre-production costs relating to long-term production and supply contracts have been deferred and will be recognized over the life of the contracts. Deferred pre-production costs were $24.9 million and $19.2 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Significant Customers and Concentrations of Credit Risk	Significant Customers and Concentrations of Credit Risk The Company’s trade receivables are from rail and transit industry original equipment manufacturers, Class I railroads, railroad carriers and commercial companies that utilize rail cars in their operations, such as utility and chemical companies. No one customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated net sales in 2014, 2013 and 2012.
Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs	Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs All fees billed to the customer for shipping and handling are classified as a component of net revenues. All costs associated with shipping and handling is classified as a component of cost of sales.
Research and Development	Research and Development Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company incurred costs of approximately $61.9 million, $46.3 million and $41.3 million, respectively.
Employees	Employees As of December 31, 2014, approximately 28% of the Company’s workforce was covered by collective bargaining agreements. These agreements are generally effective from 2015 through 2017. Agreements expiring in 2015 cover approximately 21% of the Company’s workforce.
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share Basic and diluted earnings per common share is computed in accordance with ASC 260 “Earnings Per Share.” Unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method included in ASC 260-10-55. (See Note 11 “Earnings Per Share” included herein)
Reclassifications	Reclassifications Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified, where necessary, to conform to the current year presentation.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual amounts could differ from the estimates. On an ongoing basis, Management reviews its estimates based on currently available information. Changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU no. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contract with Customers.”  The ASU will supersede most of the existing revenue recognition requirements in U.S. GAAP and will require entities to recognize revenue at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer.  The new standard also requires significantly expanded disclosures regarding the qualitative and quantitative information of an entity’s nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers.  The Pronouncement is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period and is to be applied retrospectively, with early application not permitted.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact the pronouncement will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Summary of Preliminary Estimated Fair Values of the Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed at the Date of the Acquisition	For the C2CE acquisition, the following table summarizes the preliminary estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition.  For the Longwood, Turbonetics and Napier acquisitions, the following table summarizes the final fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition.
		C2CE			Longwood			Turbonetics			Napier
		September 3,			September 24,			July 30,			January 31,
	In thousands	2014			2013			2013			2013
	Current assets	$	9,812		$	17,444		$	5,532		$	13,441
	Property, plant & equipment		1,890			19,363			992			8,837
	Goodwill		15,114			28,272			11,309			67,045
	Other intangible assets		3,654			39,440			11,140			40,583
	Other assets		-			7			-			-
	Total assets acquired		30,470			104,526			28,973			129,906
	Total liabilities assumed		(5,359	)		(20,663	)		(5,790	)		(17,565	)
	Net assets acquired	$	25,111		$	83,863		$	23,183		$	112,341
	For the Fandstan and Dia-Frag acquisitions, the following table summarizes the preliminary estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition.
		Dia-Frag			Fandstan
		August 19,			June 6,
	In thousands	2014			2014
	Current assets	$	12,477		$	124,848
	Property, plant & equipment		4,497			61,379
	Goodwill		42,955			60,078
	Other intangible assets		26,150			50,598
	Other assets		66			216
	Total assets acquired		86,145			297,119
	Total liabilities assumed		(15,504	)		(97,715	)
	Net assets acquired	$	70,641		$	199,404
Pro Forma Financial Information	The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents income statement results as if the acquisition of Napier, Turbonetics, Longwood, C2CE, Fandstan, and Dia-Frag had occurred January 1, 2013:
			For the year ended
			December 31,
	In thousands		2014			2013
	Net sales		$	3,178,955		$	2,933,560
	Gross profit			978,567			867,719
	Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders			363,122			318,381
	Diluted earnings per share
	As Reported		$	3.62		$	3.01
	Pro forma		$	3.75		$	3.28

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Disclos1

Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	In thousands
	Interest paid during the year	$	18,445	$	15,601	$	16,309
	Income taxes paid during the year, net of amount refunded		125,212		137,945		135,691
	Business acquisitions:
	Fair value of assets acquired		454,596		267,306		198,066
	Liabilities assumed		124,005		44,846		46,009
	Cash paid		330,591		222,460		152,057
	Less cash acquired		30,154		671		2,303
	Net cash paid	$	300,437	$	221,789	$	149,754

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Inventory, Net of Reserves	The components of inventory, net of reserves, were:
		December 31,
	In thousands	2014		2013
	Raw materials	$	222,059	$	165,906
	Work-in-progress		154,094		137,449
	Finished goods		134,796		99,874
	Total inventories	$	510,949	$	403,229

Property_Plant_Equipment_Table

Property, Plant & Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Major Classes of Depreciable Assets	The major classes of depreciable assets are as follows:
		December 31,
	In thousands	2014			2013
	Machinery and equipment	$	476,467		$	440,297
	Buildings and improvements		180,227			138,469
	Land and improvements		23,440			16,271
	Locomotive leased fleet		2,900			2,703
	PP&E		683,034			597,740
	Less: accumulated depreciation		(343,923	)		(321,662	)
	Total	$	339,111		$	276,078
Estimated Useful Lives of Property Plant and Equipment
	The estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment are as follows:
		Years
	Land improvements	10 to 20
	Building and improvements	20 to 40
	Machinery and equipment	3 to 15

Intangibles_Tables

Intangibles (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Change in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment	The change in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:
		Freight			Transit
	In thousands	Segment			Segment			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	509,664		$	276,769		$	786,433
	Adjustment to preliminary purchase allocation		(4,440	)		(2,367	)		(6,807	)
	Acquisitions		19,211			103,347			122,558
	Foreign currency impact		(9,368	)		(30,478	)		(39,846	)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	515,067		$	347,271		$	862,338
Intangible Assets of the Company, Other Than Goodwill and Trademarks	Intangible assets of the Company, other than goodwill and trademarks, consist of the following:
		December 31,
	In thousands	2014			2013
	Patents, non-compete and other intangibles, net of accumulated
	amortization of $39,780 and $37,824	$	14,722		$	15,561
	Customer relationships, net of accumulated amortization
	of $56,684 and $44,910		237,983			213,324
	Total	$	252,705		$	228,885
Amortization Expense	Amortization expense for the five succeeding years is as follows (in thousands):
	Amortization expense for the five succeedng years is as follows (in thousands):
	2015	$	22,183
	2016		19,054
	2017		17,649
	2018		16,670
	2019		16,228

Longterm_Debt_Tables

Long-term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	Long-term debt consisted of the following:
		December 31,
	In thousands	2014		2013
	4.375% Senior Notes, due 2023	$	250,000	$	250,000
	Revolving Credit Facility		270,000		200,000
	Capital Leases		1,195		709
	Total		521,195		450,709
	Less - current portion		792		421
	Long-term portion	$	520,403	$	450,288
Principal Repayments of Debt and Capital Lease
	Scheduled principal repayments of debt and capital lease balances as of December 31, 2014 are as follows:
	2015	$	825
	2016		141
	2017		116
	2018		270,068
	2019		29
	Future years		250,016
	Total	$	521,195

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of U.S. and International Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations and with Projected Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets
		U.S.								International
	In thousands	2014				2013				2014				2013
	Information for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in
	excess of Plan assets:
	Projected benefit obligation	$	(50,154	)		$	(47,090	)		$	(143,121	)		$	(117,717	)
	Accumulated benefit obligation		(49,303	)			(46,316	)			(138,443	)			(108,182	)
	Fair value of plan assets		41,503				42,980				104,232				100,798
	Information for pension plans with projected benefit obligations in
	excess of plan assets:
	Projected benefit obligation	$	(50,154	)		$	(47,090	)		$	(151,920	)		$	(126,998	)
	Fair value of plan assets		41,503				42,980				112,526				109,219
Pension Plan Assets by Asset Category	Pension Plan Assets
	The Company has established formal investment policies for the assets associated with our pension plans. Objectives include maximizing long-term return at acceptable risk levels and diversifying among asset classes. Asset allocation targets are based on periodic asset liability study results which help determine the appropriate investment strategies. The investment policies permit variances from the targets within certain parameters. The plan assets consist primarily of equity security funds, debt security funds, and temporary cash and cash equivalent investments. The assets held in these funds are generally passively managed and are valued at the net asset value per share multiplied by the number of shares held as of the measurement date. Generally, all plan assets are considered Level 2 based on the fair value valuation hierarchy (See Note 17 “Fair Value Measurement” included herein). Plan assets by asset category at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
			U.S.								International
	In thousands		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Pension Plan Assets
	Equity security funds		$	20,696			$	21,562			$	99,715			$	84,699
	Debt security funds and other			20,034				20,749				78,510				66,238
	Cash and cash equivalents			773				669				4,029				5,768
	Fair value of plan assets		$	41,503			$	42,980			$	182,254			$	156,705
Costs Recognized Under Defined Contribution Plans and Multiemployer Pension Plans	The Company also participates in certain defined contribution plans and multiemployer pension plans. Costs recognized under these plans are summarized as follows:
			For the year ended
			December 31,
	In thousands		2014				2013				2012
	Multi-employer pension and health & welfare plans		$	2,405			$	2,678			$	2,122
	401(k) savings and other defined contribution plans			19,925				17,291				14,394
	Total		$	22,330			$	19,969			$	16,516
Contributions in Multiemployer Pension Plans	The Company’s participation in multiemployer plans for the year ended December 31, 2014 is outlined in the table below. For plans that are not individually significant to the Company, the total amount of contributions is presented in the aggregate.
						Pension Protection						Contributions by												Expiration
						Act Zone Status (b)				FIP/		the Company												Dates of
										RP Status												Surcharge		Collective
										Pending/												Imposed		Bargaining
		Pension Fund		EIN/PN (a)		2012		2011		Implemented (c)		2014				2013			2012			(d)		Agreements
		Idaho Operating Engineers-		EIN # 91 - 6075538		Green		Green		No		$	1,745		-1	$	2,154	-1	$	1,803	-1	No		6/30/15
		Employers Pension Trust Fund		Plan #001
		Automobile Mechanics' Local No 701 Union and		EIN # 36 - 6042061		Red		Red		Yes (2)		$	660			$	524		$	310		Yes (3)		12/11/17
		Industry Pension Plan		Plan #001
										Other Plans		$	-			$	-		$	9
										Total Contributions		$	2,405			$	2,678		$	2,122
	-1	The Company’s contribution represents more than 5% of the total contributions to the plan.
	-2	The Pension Fund’s board adopted a Rehabilitation Plan on September 30, 2012, increasing the weekly pension fund contribution rates by $75 with corresponding decreases to the weekly welfare fund contribution rates.
	-3	Critical status triggered a 5% surcharge on employer contributions effective June 2012.  Effective January 1, 2013, this surcharge increases to 10% and remains in effect until the Company’s union adopts the Rehabilitation Plan.
	(a)	The “EIN / PN” column provides the Employer Identification Number and the three-digit plan number assigned to a plan by the Internal Revenue Service.
	(b)	The most recent Pension Protection Act Zone Status available for 2012 and 2011 is for plan years that ended in 2012 and 2011, respectively. The zone status is based on information provided to the Company and other participating employers by each plan and is certified by the plan’s actuary. A plan in the “red” zone has been determined to be in “critical status”, based on criteria established under the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”), and is generally less than 65% funded. A plan in the “yellow” zone has been determined to be in “endangered status”, based on criteria established under the Code, and is generally less than 80% funded. A plan in the “green” zone has been determined to be neither in “critical status” nor in “endangered status”, and is generally at least 80% funded.
	(c)	The “FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented” column indicates whether a Funding Improvement Plan, as required under the Code to be adopted by plans in the “yellow” zone, or a Rehabilitation Plan, as required under the Code to be adopted by plans in the “red” zone, is pending or has been implemented as of the end of the plan year that ended in 2014.
	(d)	The “Surcharge Imposed” column indicates whether the Company’s contribution rate for 2014 included an amount in addition the contribution rate specified in the applicable collective bargaining agreement, as imposed by a plan in “critical status”, in accordance with the requirements of the Code.
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Obligations and Funded Status	The following tables provide information regarding the Company’s defined benefit pension plans summarized by U.S. and international components.
	Obligations and Funded Status
		U.S.								International
	In thousands	2014				2013				2014				2013
	Change in projected benefit obligation
	Obligation at beginning of year	$	(47,090	)		$	(52,226	)		$	(170,931	)		$	(163,507	)
	Service cost		(334	)			(432	)			(2,138	)			(2,035	)
	Interest cost		(2,070	)			(1,960	)			(8,102	)			(6,661	)
	Employee contributions		-				-				(385	)			(442	)
	Plan curtailments and amendments		-				-				473				34
	Benefits paid		5,083				3,586				7,616				6,554
	Expenses and premiums paid		-				-				-				360
	Acquisition		-				-				(39,381	)			-
	Actuarial (loss) gain		(5,743	)			3,942				(23,335	)			(7,860	)
	Effect of currency rate changes		-				-				16,958				2,626
	Obligation at end of year	$	(50,154	)		$	(47,090	)		$	(219,225	)		$	(170,931	)
	Change in plan assets
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	42,980			$	42,403			$	156,705			$	144,089
	Actual return on plan assets		3,606				4,163				17,363				17,273
	Employer contributions		-				-				6,036				4,810
	Employee contributions		-				-				385				442
	Benefits paid		(5,083	)			(3,586	)			(7,616	)			(6,554	)
	Expenses and premiums paid		-				-				-				(360	)
	Acquisition		-				-				23,444				-
	Effect of currency rate changes		-				-				(14,063	)			(2,995	)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	41,503			$	42,980			$	182,254			$	156,705
	Funded status
	Fair value of plan assets	$	41,503			$	42,980			$	182,254			$	156,705
	Benefit obligations		(50,154	)			(47,090	)			(219,225	)			(170,931	)
	Funded status	$	(8,651	)		$	(4,110	)		$	(36,971	)		$	(14,226	)
	Amounts recognized in the statement of financial position consist of:
	Noncurrent assets	$	-			$	-			$	2,424			$	3,554
	Current liabilities										(398	)			(44	)
	Noncurrent liabilities		(8,651	)			(4,110	)			(38,997	)			(17,736	)
	Net amount recognized	$	(8,651	)		$	(4,110	)		$	(36,971	)		$	(14,226	)
	Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consist of:
	Noncurrent assets	$	-			$	-			$	(449	)		$	(647	)
	Current liabilities		(13	)			(36	)			(157	)			(223	)
	Noncurrent liabilities		(24,665	)			(22,249	)			(49,180	)			(40,359	)
	Net amount recognized	$	(24,678	)		$	(22,285	)		$	(49,786	)		$	(41,229	)
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Costs	Components of Net Periodic Benefit Costs
			U.S.												International
	In thousands		2014				2013				2012				2014			2013			2012
	Service cost		$	334			$	432			$	379			$	2,138		$	2,035		$	2,006
	Interest cost			2,070				1,960				2,113				8,102			6,661			7,114
	Expected return on plan assets			(2,476	)			(2,977	)			(3,095	)			(9,646	)		(8,418	)		(8,132	)
	Amortization of initial net obligation and prior service cost			23				62				62				248			270			322
	Amortization of net loss			2,197				3,180				2,968				2,768			3,107			2,412
	Settlement and curtailment losses recognized			-				-				-				(390	)		168			1,149
	Net periodic benefit cost		$	2,148			$	2,657			$	2,427			$	3,220		$	3,823		$	4,871
Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income	Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income during 2014 are as follows:
	In thousands		U.S.				International
	Net (loss) gain arising during the year		$	(4,613	)		$	(15,098	)
	Effect of exchange rates			-				3,918
	Amortization, settlement, or curtailment recognition of net transition obligation			-				168
	Amortization or curtailment recognition of prior service cost			23				(313	)
	Amortization or settlement recognition of net loss			2,197				2,768
	Total recognized in other comprehensive (loss) income		$	(2,393	)		$	(8,557	)
	Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss)		$	(4,541	)		$	(11,777	)
Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Develop Actuarial Present Value of Projected Benefit Obligation	The weighted average assumptions in the following table represent the rates used to develop the actuarial present value of the projected benefit obligation for the year listed and also the net periodic benefit cost for the following year.
			U.S.												International
			2014				2013				2012				2014			2013			2012
	Discount rate			3.95	%			4.7	%			3.9	%			3.48	%		4.43	%		4.3	%
	Expected return on plan assets			5.7	%			6.2	%			7.5	%			5.79	%		6.07	%		6.09	%
	Rate of compensation increase			3	%			3	%			3	%			3.1	%		3.59	%		3.1	%
Amounts Included in Other Comprehensive Loss That are Expected to be Recognized as Components of Periodic Benefit Costs	As of December 31, 2014 the following table represents the amounts included in other comprehensive loss that are expected to be recognized as components of periodic benefit costs in 2015.
	In thousands		U.S.				International
	Net transition obiligation		$	-			$	159
	Prior service cost			3				61
	Net actuarial loss			1,062				2,519
			$	1,065			$	2,739
Benefit Payments Expected to be Paid to Plan Participants	Benefit payments expected to be paid to plan participants are as follows:
	In thousands		U.S.				International
	Year ended December 31,
	2015		$	3,382			$	7,825
	2016			3,377				7,582
	2017			3,457				8,028
	2018			3,409				8,197
	2019			3,460				8,451
	2020 through 2024			16,602				45,604
Post Retirement Benefit Plans
Obligations and Funded Status	Obligations and Funded Status
		U.S.								International
	In thousands	2014				2013				2014				2013
	Change in projected benefit obligation
	Obligation at beginning of year	$	(25,860	)		$	(33,807	)		$	(3,871	)		$	(4,296	)
	Service cost		(29	)			(47	)			(47	)			(48	)
	Interest cost		(1,155	)			(1,113	)			(173	)			(172	)
	Benefits paid		978				2,641				66				220
	Actuarial (loss) gain		(5,806	)			6,466				(238	)			153
	Effect of currency rate changes		-				-				358				272
	Obligation at end of year	$	(31,872	)		$	(25,860	)		$	(3,905	)		$	(3,871	)
	Change in plan assets
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	-			$	-			$	-			$	-
	Employer contributions		978				1,158				162				220
	Benefits paid		(978	)			(1,158	)			(162	)			(220	)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	-			$	-			$	-			$	-
	Funded status
	Fair value of plan assets	$	-			$	-			$	-			$	-
	Benefit obilgations		(31,872	)			(25,860	)			(3,905	)			(3,871	)
	Funded status	$	(31,872	)		$	(25,860	)		$	(3,905	)		$	(3,871	)
		U.S.								International
	In thousands	2014				2013				2014				2013
	Amounts recognized in the statement of financial position consist of:
	Current liabilities	$	(1,305	)		$	(1,357	)		$	(212	)		$	(217	)
	Noncurrent liabilities		(30,567	)			(24,503	)			(3,693	)			(3,654	)
	Net amount recognized	$	(31,872	)		$	(25,860	)		$	(3,905	)		$	(3,871	)
	Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
	consist of:
	Initial net obligation	$	-			$	-			$	-			$	-
	Prior service credit		8,993				11,722				32				44
	Net actuarial (loss) gain		(26,096	)			(21,619	)			422				761
	Net amount recognized	$	(17,103	)		$	(9,897	)		$	454			$	805
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Costs	Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
			U.S.												International
	In thousands		2014				2013				2012				2014			2013			2012
	Service cost		$	29			$	47			$	24			$	47		$	48		$	45
	Interest cost			1,155				1,113				1,387				173			172			201
	Amortization of initial net obligation and prior service cost			(2,730	)			(2,689	)			(2,608	)			(8	)		(211	)		(240	)
	Amortization of net loss (gain)			1,330				1,634				1,790				(141	)		(93	)		(90	)
	Net periodic benefit (credit) cost		$	(216	)		$	105			$	593			$	71		$	(84	)	$	(84	)
Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income
	Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income during 2014 are as follows:
	In thousands		U.S.				International
	Net loss arising during the year		$	(5,806	)		$	(149	)
	Effect of exchange rates			-				(53	)
	Amortization or curtailment recognition of prior service cost			(2,730	)			(96	)
	Amortization or settlement recognition of net loss (gain)			1,330				(53	)
	Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)		$	(7,206	)		$	(351	)
	Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss)		$	(6,990	)		$	(422	)
Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Develop Actuarial Present Value of Projected Benefit Obligation	The weighted average assumptions in the following table represent the rates used to develop the actuarial present value of the projected benefit obligation for the year listed and also the net periodic benefit cost for the following year. The discount rate is based on settling the pension obligation with high grade, high yield corporate bonds.
			U.S.												International
			2014				2013				2012				2014			2013			2012
	Discount rate			3.95	%			4.7	%			3.9	%			3.96	%		4.6	%		4.3	%
Amounts Included in Other Comprehensive Loss That are Expected to be Recognized as Components of Periodic Benefit Costs	As of December 31, 2014 the following table represents the amounts included in other comprehensive loss that are expected to be recognized as components of periodic benefit costs in 2015.
	In thousands		U.S.				International
	Prior service cost			(2,294	)			(8	)
	Net actuarial loss (gain)			1,355				(33	)
			$	(939	)		$	(41	)
Benefit Payments Expected to be Paid to Plan Participants	Benefit payments expected to be paid to plan participants are as follows:
	In thousands		U.S.				International
	Year ended December 31,
	2015		$	1,305			$	212
	2016			1,378				217
	2017			1,406				216
	2018			1,504				226
	2019			1,596				241
	2020 through 2024			9,247				1,405

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Income from Operations before Provision for Income Taxes	The components of the income from operations before provision for income taxes for the Company’s domestic and foreign operations for the years ended December 31 are provided below:
		For the year ended
		December 31,
	In thousands	2014			2013			2012
	Domestic	$	343,180		$	285,395		$	273,234
	Foreign		164,675			135,692			104,124
	Income from operations before income taxes	$	507,855		$	421,087		$	377,358
Consolidated Provision for Income Taxes	The consolidated provision for income taxes included in the Statement of Income consisted of the following:
		For the year ended
		December 31,
	In thousands	2014			2013			2012
	Current taxes
	Federal	$	108,782		$	70,459		$	81,630
	State		17,091			13,173			16,415
	Foreign		37,356			29,972			27,000
			163,229			113,604			125,045
	Deferred taxes
	Federal		2,287			11,146			(2,203	)
	State		1,404			1,375			851
	Foreign		(10,745	)		2,727			1,933
			(7,054	)		15,248			581
	Total provision	$	156,175		$	128,852		$	125,626
Reconciliation of Income Tax Rate	A reconciliation of the United States federal statutory income tax rate to the effective income tax rate on operations for the years ended December 31 is provided below:
		For the year ended
		December 31,
	In thousands	2014			2013			2012
	U.S. federal statutory rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	State taxes		2.2	%		2.2	%		2.8	%
	Tax reserves		0.3	%		0	%		0.3	%
	Foreign		(4.2	)%		(3.9	)%		(2.7	)%
	Research and development credit		(0.5	)%		(0.6	)%		(0.2	)%
	Manufacturing deduction		(1.8	)%		(1.7	)%		(2.1	)%
	Other, net		(0.2	)%		(0.4	)%		0.2	%
	Effective rate		30.8	%		30.6	%		33.3	%
Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	Components of deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:
		December 31,
	In thousands	2014			2013
	Deferred income tax assets:
	Accrued expenses and reserves	$	34,167		$	32,243
	Warranty reserve		21,123			16,783
	Deferred compensation/employee benefits		21,759			21,326
	Pension and postretirement obligations		26,736			17,920
	Inventory		13,570			10,089
	Net operating loss carry forwards		5,036			5,770
	Tax credit carry forwards		1,078			4,126
	Gross deferred income tax assets		123,469			108,257
	Valuation allowance		1,818			3,332
	Total deferred income tax assets		121,651			104,925
	Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Property, plant & equipment		29,998			25,440
	Intangibles		157,781			140,317
	Other		144			2,045
	Total deferred income tax liabilities		187,923			167,802
	Net deferred income tax liability	$	(66,272	)	$	(62,877	)
Liability for Income Taxes Associated with Uncertain Tax Positions	As of December 31, 2014, the liability for income taxes associated with uncertain tax positions was $12.6 million, of which $5.5 million, if recognized, would favorably affect the Company’s effective income tax rate. As of December 31, 2013, the liability for income taxes associated with uncertain tax positions was $10.5 million, of which $4.7 million, if recognized, would favorably affect the Company’s effective tax rate. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of the liability for income taxes associated with uncertain tax positions follows:
	In thousands	2014			2013			2012
	Gross liability for uncertain tax positions at beginning of year	$	10,531		$	11,267		$	8,204
	Gross increases - uncertain tax positions in prior periods		30			55			180
	Gross increases - current period uncertain tax positions		2,756			3,279			4,649
	Gross decreases - uncertain tax positions in prior periods		(463	)		-			-
	Gross decreases - audit settlement during year		(77	)		(2,515	)		(648	)
	Gross decreases - expiration of audit statute of limitations		(181	)		(1,555	)		(1,118	)
	Gross liability for uncertain tax positions at end of year	$	12,596		$	10,531		$	11,267

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Earnings Per Share	The computation of earnings per share from operations is as follows:
		For the Year Ended
		December 31,
	In thousands, except per share data	2014			2013			2012
	Numerator
	Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per common share - net income attributable
	to Wabtec shareholders	$	351,680		$	292,235		$	251,732
	Less: dividends declared - common shares and non-vested restricted stock		(19,246	)		(12,644	)		(7,666	)
	Undistributed earnings		332,434			279,591			244,066
	Percentage allocated to common shareholders (1)		99.6	%		99.5	%		99.5	%
			331,104			278,193			242,846
	Add: dividends declared - common shares		19,167			12,583			7,625
	Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per common share	$	350,271		$	290,776		$	250,471
	Denominator
	Denominator for basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares		95,781			95,463			95,469
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Assumed conversion of dilutive stock-based compensation plans		1,104			1,369			1,273
	Denominator for diluted earnings per common share - adjusted weighted average
	shares and assumed conversion		96,885			96,832			96,742
	Net income per common share attributable to Wabtec shareholders
	Basic	$	3.66		$	3.05		$	2.62
	Diluted	$	3.62		$	3.01		$	2.6
	(1) Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding		95,781			95,463			95,469
	Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding and non-vested restricted
	stock expected to vest		96,175			95,932			95,976
	Percentage allocated to common shareholders		99.6	%		99.5	%		99.5	%

Stockbased_Compensation_Plans_

Stock-based Compensation Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Stock Option Activity	The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activity and related information for the 2011 Plan, the 2000 Plan and Directors Plan for the years ended December 31:
					Weighted
					Average			Weighted Average			Aggregate
					Exercise			Remaining			Intrinsic value
		Options			Price			Contractual Life			(in thousands)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2011		1,724,784		$	17.37			6.5		$	30,362
	Granted		151,396			35.36						1,274
	Exercised		(346,736	)		12.78						(10,746	)
	Canceled		(63,766	)		19.11						(1,573	)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012		1,465,678		$	20.24			6.3		$	34,487
	Granted		116,392			48.29						3,024
	Exercised		(344,806	)		14.98						(20,444	)
	Canceled		(4,402	)		26.61						(210	)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013		1,232,862		$	24.36			6.1		$	61,530
	Granted		81,552			73.2						1,116
	Exercised		(163,786	)		20.37						(10,895	)
	Canceled		(3,070	)		52.73						(105	)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		1,147,558		$	28.33			5.5		$	67,205
	Exercisable at December 31, 2014		795,942		$	20.83			4.6		$	52,577
Stock Option Outstanding	Options outstanding at December 31, 2014 were as follows:
						Weighted
						Average			Weighted
						Exercise			Average			Number of		Weighted Average
			Number of			Price of			Remaining			Options		Exercise Price of
			Options			Options			Contractual			Currently		Options Currently
	Range of exercise prices		Outstanding			Outstanding			Life			Exercisable		Exercisable
	Under $15.00			222,500		$	14.46			4			222,500	$	14.46
	15.00 - 23.00			379,148			18.2			3.9			379,148		18.2
	23.00 - 30.00			203,834			28.73			5.9			108,328		28.76
	30.00 - 38.00			148,868			35.04			7.1			61,182		35.22
	Over 38.00			193,208			58.59			8.5			24,784		48.29
				1,147,558		$	28.33						795,942	$	20.83
Schedule of Share-Based Fair Value of Each Option Grant Weighted-Average Assumptions	The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
		For the year ended
		December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Dividend yield		0.11	%		0.21	%		0.23	%
	Risk-free interest rate		2.2	%		1.4	%		1.4	%
	Stock price volatility		33			43.8			45
	Expected life (years)		5			5			5
	Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year	$	22.82		$	17.6		$	13.21
Restricted Stock Activity and Incentive Stock Awards Activity	The following table summarizes the restricted stock activity and related information for the 2011 Plan, the 2000 Plan, and Directors Plan, and incentive stock awards activity and related information for the 2011 Plan and the 2000 Plan with related information for the years ended December 31:
								Weighted
		Restricted			Incentive			Average Grant
		Stock			Stock			Date Fair
		and Units			Awards			Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2011		549,218			1,292,724		$	22.02
	Granted		223,960			237,320			35.45
	Vested		(197,388	)		(244,158	)		17.87
	Adjustment for incentive stock awards expected to vest		-			69,778			32.77
	Canceled		(29,016	)		(26,586	)		22.52
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012		546,774			1,329,078		$	26.69
	Granted		173,887			200,090			48.62
	Vested		(204,494	)		(570,918	)		20.86
	Adjustment for incentive stock awards expected to vest		-			91,694			33.49
	Canceled		(6,038	)		(6,350	)		26.98
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013		510,129			1,043,594		$	35.27
	Granted		150,886			140,240			73.68
	Vested		(218,502	)		(458,536	)		29.83
	Adjustment for incentive stock awards expected to vest		-			74,680			47.56
	Canceled		(3,970	)		(8,370	)		48.5
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		438,543			791,608		$	47.97

Other_Comprehensive_Loss_Table

Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Comprehensive Loss [Abstract]
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were:
			December 31,
	In thousands		2014				2013
	Foreign currency translation gain		$	(94,450	)		$	17,326
	Unrealized loss on interest rate swap contracts, net of tax of $1,357 and $1,252			(2,243	)			(2,010	)
	Pension and post-retirement benefit plans, net of tax of $(28,321) and $(22,434)			(62,793	)			(50,172	)
	Total accumulated other comprehensive loss		$	(159,486	)		$	(34,856	)
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component, Net of Tax	The changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component, net of tax, for the year-ended December 31, 2014 are as follows:
										Pension and
		Foreign								post
		currency				Derivative				retirement
	In thousands	translation				contracts				benefits plans			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	17,326			$	(2,010	)		$	(50,172	)	$	(34,856	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		(111,776	)			(1,734	)			(15,235	)		(128,745	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
	comprehensive income		-				1,501				2,614			4,115
	Net current period other comprehensive income		(111,776	)			(233	)			(12,621	)		(124,630	)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	(94,450	)		$	(2,243	)		$	(62,793	)	$	(159,486	)
Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the year-ended December 31, 2014 are as follows:
		Amount reclassified from				Affected line item in the
		accumulated other				Condensed Consolidated
	In thousands	comprehensive income				Statements of Income
	Amortization of defined pension and post retirement items
	Amortization of initial net obligation and prior service cost	$	(2,467	)		Cost of sales
	Amortization of net loss (gain)		6,242			Cost of sales
			3,775			Income from Operations
			(1,161	)		Income tax expense
		$	2,614			Net income
	Derivative contracts
	Realized loss on derivative contracts		2,168			Interest expense, net
			(667	)		Income tax expense
		$	1,501			Net income

Operating_Leases_Tables

Operating Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Leases [Abstract]
Future Minimum Rental Payments Under Operating Leases	Future minimum rental payments under operating leases with remaining non-cancelable terms in excess of one year are as follows:
		Real
	In thousands	Estate		Equipment		Total
	2015	$	15,846	$	1,976	$	17,822
	2016		14,508		1,473		15,981
	2017		11,584		1,014		12,598
	2018		9,352		679		10,031
	2019		8,625		483		9,108
	2020 and after		21,675		1		21,676

Warranties_Tables

Warranties (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Changes In Product Warranty Reserve [Abstract]
Changes in Product Warranty Reserve	The following table reconciles the changes in the Company’s product warranty reserve as follows:
		For the year ended
		December 31,
	In thousands	2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of period	$	60,593		$	58,212
	Warranty expense		34,110			23,059
	Acquisitions		14,375			2,227
	Warranty claim payments		(19,570	)		(20,603	)
	Foreign currency impact/other		(1,659	)		(2,302	)
	Balance at end of period	$	87,849		$	60,593

Fair_Value_Measurement_and_Fai1

Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Liabilities Carried at Fair Value Measured on Recurring Basis

The following table provides the liabilities carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014, which are included in other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance sheet:

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014 Using

Total Carrying

Quoted Prices in

Significant

Value at

Active Markets for

Significant Other

Unobservable

December 31,

Identical Assets

Observable Inputs

Inputs

In thousands

2014

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Interest rate swap agreements

3,351

-

3,351

-

Total

$

3,351

$

-

$

3,351

$

-

The following table provides the liabilities carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013, which are included in other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance sheet:

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013 Using

Total Carrying

Quoted Prices in

Significant

Value at

Active Markets for

Significant Other

Unobservable

December 31,

Identical Assets

Observable Inputs

Inputs

In thousands

2013

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Interest rate swap agreements

3,005

-

3,005

-

Total

$

3,005

$

-

$

3,005

$

-

Estimated Fair Values and Related Carrying Values of Financial Instruments

The estimated fair values and related carrying values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:

31-Dec-14

31-Dec-13

Carry

Fair

Carry

Fair

In thousands

Value

Value

Value

Value

Interest rate swap agreements

$

3,351

$

3,351

$

3,005

$

3,005

4.375% Senior Notes

250,000

260,000

250,000

253,135

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Financial Information
	Segment financial information for 2014 is as follows:
								Corporate
		Freight			Transit			Activities and
	In thousands	Segment			Segment			Elimination			Total
	Sales to external customers	$	1,731,477		$	1,312,977		$	-		$	3,044,454
	Intersegment sales/(elimination)		36,185			7,358			(43,543	)		-
	Total sales	$	1,767,662		$	1,320,335		$	(43,543	)	$	3,044,454
	Income (loss) from operations	$	402,456		$	147,821		$	(23,168	)	$	527,109
	Interest expense and other, net		-			-			(19,254	)		(19,254	)
	Income (loss) from operations before income taxes	$	402,456		$	147,821		$	(42,422	)	$	507,855
	Depreciation and amortization	$	34,579		$	24,956		$	1,726		$	61,261
	Capital expenditures		22,913			22,859			1,890			47,662
	Segment assets		2,516,645			2,024,312			(1,237,116	)		3,303,841
	Segment financial information for 2013 is as follows:
								Corporate
		Freight			Transit			Activities and
	In thousands	Segment			Segment			Elimination			Total
	Sales to external customers	$	1,398,103		$	1,168,289		$	-		$	2,566,392
	Intersegment sales/(elimination)		25,463			6,992			(32,455	)	$	-
	Total sales	$	1,423,566		$	1,175,281		$	(32,455	)	$	2,566,392
	Income (loss) from operations	$	309,133		$	143,634		$	(15,457	)	$	437,310
	Interest expense and other, net		-			-			(16,223	)		(16,223	)
	Income (loss) from operations before income taxes	$	309,133		$	143,634		$	(31,680	)	$	421,087
	Depreciation and amortization	$	30,645		$	19,103		$	1,445		$	51,193
	Capital expenditures		22,020			17,119			2,099			41,238
	Segment assets		2,258,773			1,706,829			(1,143,605	)		2,821,997
	Segment financial information for 2012 is as follows:
								Corporate
		Freight			Transit			Activities and
	In thousands	Segment			Segment			Elimination			Total
	Sales to external customers	$	1,501,911		$	889,211		$	-		$	2,391,122
	Intersegment sales/(elimination)		22,670			7,752			(30,422	)		-
	Total sales	$	1,524,581		$	896,963		$	(30,422	)	$	2,391,122
	Income (loss) from operations	$	314,627		$	94,861		$	(17,209	)	$	392,279
	Interest expense and other, net		-			-			(14,921	)		(14,921	)
	Income (loss) from operations before income taxes	$	314,627		$	94,861		$	(32,130	)	$	377,358
	Depreciation and amortization	$	26,436		$	16,583		$	1,117		$	44,136
	Capital expenditures		25,095			8,688			2,218			36,001
	Segment assets		1,895,512			1,599,835			(1,143,805	)		2,351,542
Geographic Area Data	The following geographic area data as of and for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, includes net sales based on product shipment destination and long-lived assets, which consist of plant, property and equipment, net of depreciation, resident in their respective countries:
			Net Sales									Long-Lived Assets
	In thousands		2014			2013			2012			2014		2013		2012
	United States		$	1,537,002		$	1,336,604		$	1,199,294		$	158,913	$	150,952	$	131,850
	United Kingdom			362,855			297,139			255,326			62,305		43,733		28,905
	Canada			175,561			167,417			194,493			5,462		6,442		11,043
	Mexico			174,218			128,184			139,089			7,812		5,862		4,886
	Australia			113,668			141,056			191,994			6,505		5,033		5,151
	China			101,889			49,952			28,886			12,788		7,863		7,555
	Germany			86,792			54,869			38,574			33,441		13,599		12,914
	Brazil			83,906			78,532			96,620			5,074		1,031		1,082
	Italy			42,865			42,702			39,462			17,913		21,374		20,926
	France			41,469			37,925			42,310			7,686		8,437		7,715
	Netherlands			19,452			9,921			1,152			10,201		2,459		2,651
	Other international			304,777			222,091			163,922			11,011		9,293		9,410
	Total		$	3,044,454		$	2,566,392		$	2,391,122		$	339,111	$	276,078	$	244,088
Sales by Product	Sales by product are as follows:
	Sales by product are as follows:
	In thousands	2014			2013			2012
	Specialty Products & Electronics	$	1,393,955		$	1,041,771		$	1,094,148
	Brake Products		662,336			567,730			527,399
	Remanufacturing, Overhaul & Build		618,885			655,387			496,883
	Other Transit Products		201,913			204,115			197,634
	Other		167,365			97,389			75,058
	Total sales	$	3,044,454		$	2,566,392		$	2,391,122

Other_Income_Expense_Tables

Other Income (Expense) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Income And Expenses [Abstract]
Components of Other Income (Expense)	The components of other expense are as follows:
		For the year ended
		December 31,
	In thousands	2014			2013			2012
	Foreign currency (loss)	$	(2,445	)	$	(3,512	)	$	(134	)
	Other miscellaneous income (expense)		765			2,630			(536	)
	Total other (expense) income, net	$	(1,680	)	$	(882	)	$	(670	)

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D1

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Selected Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Selected Quarterly Financial Data
			First		Second		Third		Fourth
	In thousands, except per share data		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
	2014
	Net sales		$	695,249	$	731,068	$	797,271	$	820,866
	Gross profit			209,569		224,658		247,458		254,297
	Income from operations			121,846		132,323		135,977		136,963
	Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders			80,134		88,705		90,155		92,686
	Basic earnings from operations per common share (1)		$	0.84	$	0.92	$	0.94	$	0.96
	Diluted earnings from operations per common share (1)		$	0.83	$	0.91	$	0.93	$	0.95
	2013
	Net sales		$	615,510	$	638,002	$	631,398	$	681,482
	Gross profit			182,888		192,881		188,133		200,125
	Income from operations			103,667		112,554		109,871		111,218
	Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders			69,613		74,638		73,943		74,041
	Basic earnings from operations per common share (1)		$	0.73	$	0.78	$	0.77	$	0.77
	Diluted earnings from operations per common share (1)		$	0.72	$	0.77	$	0.76	$	0.76
	The Company operates on a four-four-five week accounting quarter, and the quarters end on or about March 31, June 30 and September 30. The fiscal year ends on December 31.
	-1	Information above for basic earnings from operations per common share and diluted earnings from operations per common share for all periods presented reflects the two-for-one split of the Company’s common stock, which occurred on May 14, 2013.

Business_Additional_Informatio

Business - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Product Information [Line Items]
Number of countries company operates	20
Sales Revenue Outside United States | Customer Concentration Risk
Product Information [Line Items]
Revenues from customers outside the U.S.	50.00%
Minimum
Product Information [Line Items]
Number of countries where product found	100

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	14-May-13	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 05, 2014
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000	200,000,000
Stock split ratio	2
Percentage of stock dividend	100.00%
Shares issued during stock split	66,200,000
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01	$0.01
Allowance for doubtful accounts		$6,300,000	$5,700,000
Product warranty expense		34,100,000	23,100,000	22,900,000
Accrued product warranty		87,849,000	60,593,000	58,212,000
Interest rate swap agreement, Current Liability		3,351,000	3,005,000
Foreign exchange transaction losses recognized in other (expense) income, net		-2,445,000	-3,512,000	-134,000
Unbilled accounts receivable		187,762,000	205,045,000
Customer deposits		111,797,000	66,573,000
Provisions for loss contracts		7,100,000	14,000,000
Deferred pre-production costs		24,900,000	19,200,000
Research and development costs		61,886,000	46,289,000	41,307,000
Percentage of work force covered by collective bargaining agreements		28.00%
Collective bargaining agreement, effective duration		2017
Agreements Expiring In 2015
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of work force covered by collective bargaining agreements		21.00%
Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap Agreement
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Interest rate swap agreements, notional amount		150,000,000			150,000,000
Interest rate swap agreement, Current Liability		3,351,000	3,005,000
Interest rate swap, accumulated other comprehensive loss		($2,243,000)	($2,010,000)

Acquisitions_Additional_Inform

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 03, 2014	Sep. 24, 2013	Jul. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Jun. 06, 2014	Aug. 19, 2014	Feb. 04, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, net purchase price, net of cash	$300,437,000	$223,454,000	$149,914,000
Goodwill	862,338,000	786,433,000
Business acquisition, escrow Deposit	41,600,000
Goodwill and other intangible assets	396,300,000
Acquired intangible assets	171,400,000
Trade Names
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired intangible assets	45,900,000
Customer Relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired intangible assets	111,000,000
Average useful life, years	20 years
Patents
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired intangible assets	5,200,000
Average useful life, years	12 years
Favorable Leasehold Interest
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired intangible assets	800,000
Average useful life, years	5 years
Noncompete Agreements
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired intangible assets	2,100,000
Average useful life, years	4 years
Order or Production Backlog
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired intangible assets	6,500,000
RCL
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Date of acquisition	4-Feb-15
C2CE
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Date of acquisition	3-Sep-14
Business acquisition, net purchase price, net of cash				25,100,000
Goodwill				15,114,000
Goodwill tax deduction				0
Goodwill and other intangible assets				25,111,000
Acquired intangible assets				3,654,000
Longwood Industries Inc
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Date of acquisition	24-Sep-13
Business acquisition, net purchase price, net of cash					83,900,000
Goodwill					28,272,000
Goodwill tax deduction					0
Goodwill and other intangible assets					83,863,000
Acquired intangible assets					39,440,000
Turbonetics
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Date of acquisition	30-Jul-13
Business acquisition, net purchase price, net of cash						23,200,000
Goodwill						11,309,000
Goodwill tax deduction						0
Goodwill and other intangible assets						23,183,000
Acquired intangible assets						11,140,000
Napier
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Date of acquisition	31-Jan-13
Business acquisition, net purchase price, net of cash							112,300,000
Goodwill							67,045,000
Goodwill tax deduction							0
Goodwill and other intangible assets							112,341,000
Acquired intangible assets							40,583,000
Fandstan Electric Group Ltd
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Date of acquisition	6-Jun-14
Business acquisition, net purchase price, net of cash								199,400,000
Goodwill								60,078,000
Goodwill tax deduction								0
Goodwill and other intangible assets								199,404,000
Acquired intangible assets								50,598,000
Dia-Frag
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Date of acquisition	19-Aug-14
Business acquisition, net purchase price, net of cash									70,600,000
Goodwill									42,955,000
Goodwill tax deduction									0
Goodwill and other intangible assets									70,641,000
Acquired intangible assets									26,150,000
Business acquisitions by Freight and Transit Segments
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	224,700,000
Scenario Forecast | RCL
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, net purchase price, net of cash										$63,700,000

Summary_of_Preliminary_Estimat

Summary of Preliminary Estimated Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 03, 2014	Sep. 24, 2013	Jul. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Aug. 19, 2014	Jun. 06, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$862,338	$786,433
Other intangible assets	171,400
Net assets acquired	396,300
C2CE
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets			9,812
Property, plant & equipment			1,890
Goodwill			15,114
Other intangible assets			3,654
Total assets acquired			30,470
Total liabilities assumed			-5,359
Net assets acquired			25,111
Longwood
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets				17,444
Property, plant & equipment				19,363
Goodwill				28,272
Other intangible assets				39,440
Other assets				7
Total assets acquired				104,526
Total liabilities assumed				-20,663
Net assets acquired				83,863
Turbonetics
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets					5,532
Property, plant & equipment					992
Goodwill					11,309
Other intangible assets					11,140
Total assets acquired					28,973
Total liabilities assumed					-5,790
Net assets acquired					23,183
Napier
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets						13,441
Property, plant & equipment						8,837
Goodwill						67,045
Other intangible assets						40,583
Total assets acquired						129,906
Total liabilities assumed						-17,565
Net assets acquired						112,341
Dia-Frag
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets							12,477
Property, plant & equipment							4,497
Goodwill							42,955
Other intangible assets							26,150
Other assets							66
Total assets acquired							86,145
Total liabilities assumed							-15,504
Net assets acquired							70,641
Fandstan
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets								124,848
Property, plant & equipment								61,379
Goodwill								60,078
Other intangible assets								50,598
Other assets								216
Total assets acquired								297,119
Total liabilities assumed								-97,715
Net assets acquired								$199,404

Pro_Forma_Financial_Informatio

Pro Forma Financial Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Net sales

$3,178,955

$2,933,560

Gross profit

978,567

867,719

Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders

$363,122

$318,381

Diluted earnings per share, As reported

$0.95

[1]

$0.93

[1]

$0.91

[1]

$0.83

[1]

$0.76

[1]

$0.76

[1]

$0.77

[1]

$0.72

[1]

$3.62

$3.01

$2.60

Diluted earnings per share, Pro forma

$3.75

$3.28

[1]

Information above for basic earnings from operations per common share and diluted earnings from operations per common share for all periods presented reflects the two-for-one split of the Company’s common stock, which occurred on May 14, 2013.

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Detail

Supplemental Cash Flow (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Interest paid during the year	$18,445	$15,601	$16,309
Income taxes paid during the year, net of amount refunded	125,212	137,945	135,691
Fair value of assets acquired	454,596	267,306	198,066
Liabilities assumed	124,005	44,846	46,009
Cash paid	330,591	222,460	152,057
Less cash acquired	30,154	671	2,303
Net cash paid	$300,437	$221,789	$149,754

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Additio

Supplemental Cash Flow - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 11, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Stock repurchase program, shares authorized amount												$200,000,000
New share repurchase authorization, remaining amount	173,200,000								173,200,000
Stock repurchased during period, value									$26,757,000	$32,998,000	$46,556,000
Number of shares repurchased	0	124,600	194,700	27,500	413,900	93,205	0	0
Average price of shares repurchased		$81.33	$74.33	$78.22	$66.47	$58.86

Components_of_Inventory_Net_of

Components of Inventory, Net of Reserves (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials	$222,059	$165,906
Work-in-progress	154,094	137,449
Finished goods	134,796	99,874
Total inventories	$510,949	$403,229

Major_Classes_of_Depreciable_A

Major Classes of Depreciable Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Machinery and equipment	$476,467	$440,297
Buildings and improvements	180,227	138,469
Land and improvements	23,440	16,271
Locomotive leased fleet	2,900	2,703
PP&E	683,034	597,740
Accumulated depreciation	-343,923	-321,662
Property, plant and equipment, net	$339,111	$276,078	$244,088

Estimated_Useful_Lives_of_Prop

Estimated Useful Lives of Property Plant and Equipment (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Land Improvements | Minimum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives in years	10 years
Land Improvements | Maximum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives in years	20 years
Building and Improvements | Minimum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives in years	20 years
Building and Improvements | Maximum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives in years	40 years
Machinery and Equipment | Minimum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives in years	3 years
Machinery and Equipment | Maximum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives in years	15 years

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_A

Property Plant and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation expense	$38.80	$33.50	$28.90

Change_in_the_Carrying_Amount_

Change in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2013	$786,433
Adjustment to preliminary purchase allocation	-6,807
Acquisitions	122,558
Foreign currency impact	-39,846
Balance at December 31, 2014	862,338
Freight Segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2013	509,664
Adjustment to preliminary purchase allocation	-4,440
Acquisitions	19,211
Foreign currency impact	-9,368
Balance at December 31, 2014	515,067
Transit Segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2013	276,769
Adjustment to preliminary purchase allocation	-2,367
Acquisitions	103,347
Foreign currency impact	-30,478
Balance at December 31, 2014	$347,271

Intangibles_Additional_Informa

Intangibles - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Trademarks	$170,100,000	$156,800,000
Intangible assets, amortization expense	$22,448,000	$17,710,000	$15,272,000
Patents
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Intangible assets, weighted average useful life (years)	9 years
Customer Relationships
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Intangible assets, weighted average useful life (years)	16 years
Intellectual Property
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Intangible assets, weighted average useful life (years)	15 years

Intangible_Assets_Other_Than_G

Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill and Trademarks (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	$252,705	$228,885
Patents And Other
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	14,722	15,561
Customer Relationships
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	$237,983	$213,324

Intangible_Assets_Other_Than_G1

Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill and Trademarks (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Patents And Other
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$39,780	$37,824
Customer Relationships
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$56,684	$44,910

Amortization_Expense_Detail

Amortization Expense (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2015	$22,183
2016	19,054
2017	17,649
2018	16,670
2019	$16,228

Long_Term_Debt_Detail

Long Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital Leases	$1,195	$709
Total	521,195	450,709
Less - current portion	792	421
Long-term portion	520,403	450,288
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	270,000	200,000
4.375% Senior Notes, due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$250,000	$250,000

Long_Term_Debt_Parenthetical_D

Long Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail) (4.375% Senior Notes, due 2023)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
4.375% Senior Notes, due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date of debt instrument, year	2023	2023
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.38%	4.38%

Long_Term_Debt_Additional_Info

Long Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 05, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, percentage bearing variable interest rate		1.75%
Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, effective issuance date	7-Nov-16	31-Jul-13
Interest rate swap agreements, notional amount	$150,000,000	$150,000,000
Maturity date of debt instrument	19-Dec-18	7-Nov-16
Interest rate on notional value	2.56%	1.42%
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt		270,000,000	200,000,000
2013 Refinancing Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Deferred financing cost		1,000,000
Debt instrument, effective issuance date		19-Dec-13
Maturity date of debt instrument		19-Dec-18
Debt instrument, interest rate, effective percentage		0.50%
Debt instrument basis points spread on variable rate		1.00%
Minimum interest expense coverage ratio		3
Maximum debt to cash flow ratio		3.25
2013 Refinancing Credit Agreement | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument basis points spread on variable rate		0.00%
2013 Refinancing Credit Agreement | Base Rate | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument basis points spread on variable rate		0.00%
2013 Refinancing Credit Agreement | Base Rate | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument basis points spread on variable rate		0.75%
2013 Refinancing Credit Agreement | Alternative Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument basis points spread on variable rate		1.00%
2013 Refinancing Credit Agreement | Alternative Rate | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument basis points spread on variable rate		0.75%
2013 Refinancing Credit Agreement | Alternative Rate | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument basis points spread on variable rate		1.75%
2013 Refinancing Credit Agreement | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, amount		800,000,000
Credit facility loan term, years		5 years
Line of credit facility, amount currently available		500,900,000
2013 Refinancing Credit Agreement | Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, current borrowing capacity		29,100,000
2011 Refinancing Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, effective issuance date		7-Nov-11
Debt instrument, interest rate, effective percentage		0.50%
Debt instrument basis points spread on variable rate		1.00%
Maturity date of debt instrument		7-Nov-16
2011 Refinancing Credit Agreement | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument basis points spread on variable rate		0.00%
2011 Refinancing Credit Agreement | Base Rate | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument basis points spread on variable rate		0.00%
2011 Refinancing Credit Agreement | Base Rate | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument basis points spread on variable rate		0.75%
2011 Refinancing Credit Agreement | Alternative Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument basis points spread on variable rate		1.00%
2011 Refinancing Credit Agreement | Alternative Rate | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument basis points spread on variable rate		0.75%
2011 Refinancing Credit Agreement | Alternative Rate | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument basis points spread on variable rate		1.75%
2011 Refinancing Credit Agreement | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, amount		600,000,000
Credit facility loan term, years		5 years
Deferred financing cost		1,900,000
4.375% Senior Notes, due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Deferred financing cost		2,600,000
Debt instrument, effective issuance date		31-Aug-13
Maturity date of debt instrument, year		2023	2023
Long-term Debt		250,000,000	250,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.38%	4.38%
6.875% Senior Notes, Due 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, effective issuance date		31-Aug-03
Long-term Debt		$150,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		6.88%
Maturity date of debt instrument		31-Jul-13

Principal_Repayments_of_Debt_a

Principal Repayments of Debt and Capital Lease (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2015	$825
2016	141
2017	116
2018	270,068
2019	29
Future years	250,016
Total	$521,195	$450,709

Obligations_and_Funded_Status_

Obligations and Funded Status (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Noncurrent liabilities	($81,908,000)	($50,003,000)
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Obligation at beginning of year	-47,090,000
Service cost	-334,000	-432,000	-379,000
Interest cost	-2,070,000	-1,960,000	-2,113,000
Employee contributions		0
Obligation at end of year	-50,154,000	-47,090,000
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	42,980,000
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	41,503,000	42,980,000
Funded status	-8,651,000	-4,110,000
Noncurrent liabilities	-8,651,000	-4,110,000
Net amount recognized	-8,651,000	-4,110,000
Prior service credit	-13,000	-36,000
Net actuarial (loss) gain	-24,665,000	-22,249,000
Net amount recognized	-24,678,000	-22,285,000
International Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Obligation at beginning of year	-170,931,000
Service cost	-2,138,000	-2,035,000	-2,006,000
Interest cost	-8,102,000	-6,661,000	-7,114,000
Employee contributions		6,100,000
Obligation at end of year	-219,225,000	-170,931,000
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	156,705,000
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	182,254,000	156,705,000
Funded status	-36,971,000	-14,226,000
Noncurrent assets	2,424,000	3,554,000
Current liabilities	-398,000	-44,000
Noncurrent liabilities	-38,997,000	-17,736,000
Net amount recognized	-36,971,000	-14,226,000
Initial net obligation	-449,000	-647,000
Prior service credit	-157,000	-223,000
Net actuarial (loss) gain	-49,180,000	-40,359,000
Net amount recognized	-49,786,000	-41,229,000
U.S. Post Retirement
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Obligation at beginning of year	-25,860,000
Service cost	-29,000	-47,000	-24,000
Interest cost	-1,155,000	-1,113,000	-1,387,000
Obligation at end of year	-31,872,000	-25,860,000
Funded status	-31,872,000	-25,860,000
Current liabilities	-1,305,000	-1,357,000
Noncurrent liabilities	-30,567,000	-24,503,000
Net amount recognized	-31,872,000	-25,860,000
Prior service credit	8,993,000	11,722,000
Net actuarial (loss) gain	-26,096,000	-21,619,000
Net amount recognized	-17,103,000	-9,897,000
International Post Retirement
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Obligation at beginning of year	-3,871,000
Service cost	-47,000	-48,000	-45,000
Interest cost	-173,000	-172,000	-201,000
Obligation at end of year	-3,905,000	-3,871,000
Funded status	-3,905,000	-3,871,000
Current liabilities	-212,000	-217,000
Noncurrent liabilities	-3,693,000	-3,654,000
Net amount recognized	-3,905,000	-3,871,000
Prior service credit	32,000	44,000
Net actuarial (loss) gain	422,000	761,000
Net amount recognized	454,000	805,000
Change In Projected Benefit Obligation | U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Obligation at beginning of year	-47,090,000	-52,226,000
Service cost	-334,000	-432,000
Interest cost	-2,070,000	-1,960,000
Benefits paid	5,083,000	3,586,000
Actuarial (loss) gain	-5,743,000	3,942,000
Obligation at end of year	-50,154,000	-47,090,000
Change In Projected Benefit Obligation | International Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Obligation at beginning of year	-170,931,000	-163,507,000
Service cost	-2,138,000	-2,035,000
Interest cost	-8,102,000	-6,661,000
Employee contributions	-385,000	-442,000
Plan curtailments and amendments	473,000	34,000
Benefits paid	7,616,000	6,554,000
Expenses and premiums paid		360,000
Acquisition	-39,381,000
Actuarial (loss) gain	-23,335,000	-7,860,000
Effect of currency rate changes	16,958,000	2,626,000
Obligation at end of year	-219,225,000	-170,931,000
Change In Projected Benefit Obligation | U.S. Post Retirement
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Obligation at beginning of year	-25,860,000	-33,807,000
Service cost	-29,000	-47,000
Interest cost	-1,155,000	-1,113,000
Benefits paid	978,000	2,641,000
Actuarial (loss) gain	-5,806,000	6,466,000
Obligation at end of year	-31,872,000	-25,860,000
Change In Projected Benefit Obligation | International Post Retirement
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Obligation at beginning of year	-3,871,000	-4,296,000
Service cost	-47,000	-48,000
Interest cost	-173,000	-172,000
Benefits paid	66,000	220,000
Actuarial (loss) gain	-238,000	153,000
Effect of currency rate changes	358,000	272,000
Obligation at end of year	-3,905,000	-3,871,000
Change In Plan Assets | U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Benefits paid	-5,083,000	-3,586,000
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	42,980,000	42,403,000
Actual return on plan assets	3,606,000	4,163,000
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	41,503,000	42,980,000
Change In Plan Assets | International Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employee contributions	385,000	442,000
Benefits paid	-7,616,000	-6,554,000
Expenses and premiums paid		-360,000
Acquisition	23,444,000
Effect of currency rate changes	-14,063,000	-2,995,000
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	156,705,000	144,089,000
Actual return on plan assets	17,363,000	17,273,000
Employer contributions	6,036,000	4,810,000
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	182,254,000	156,705,000
Change In Plan Assets | U.S. Post Retirement
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Benefits paid	-978,000	-1,158,000
Employer contributions	978,000	1,158,000
Change In Plan Assets | International Post Retirement
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Benefits paid	-162,000	-220,000
Employer contributions	$162,000	$220,000

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Additio

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plans And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Number of shares held on behalf of participants	670,322	713,200
Market value of the shares held on behalf of participants	$58,200,000	$53,000,000
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plans And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Aggregate accumulated benefit obligation	49,300,000	46,300,000
Contribution to the plan		0
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans | Equity Security Funds
Defined Benefit Plans And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Target asset allocation	50.00%
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans | Debt Security Funds And Other
Defined Benefit Plans And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Target asset allocation	50.00%
International Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plans And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Aggregate accumulated benefit obligation	138,400,000	108,200,000
Contribution to the plan		6,100,000
United Kingdom Defined Benefit Pension Plans | Equity Security Funds
Defined Benefit Plans And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Target asset allocation	62.50%
United Kingdom Defined Benefit Pension Plans | Debt Security Funds And Other
Defined Benefit Plans And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Target asset allocation	37.50%
U.S. Post Retirement
Defined Benefit Plans And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Assumed health care cost trend rate, initial rate	6.80%
Assumed health care cost trend rate, ultimate rate	4.50%
Assumed health care cost trend rate, year	2027
Effect of 1% point increase on service and interest cost components	145,000
Effect of 1% point increase on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	4,700,000
Effect of 1% point decrease on service and interest cost components	124,000
Effect of 1% point decrease on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	3,900,000
International Post Retirement
Defined Benefit Plans And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Assumed health care cost trend rate, initial rate	6.91%
Assumed health care cost trend rate, ultimate rate	4.54%
Assumed health care cost trend rate, year	2027
Effect of 1% point increase on service and interest cost components	16,000
Effect of 1% point increase on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	276,000
Effect of 1% point decrease on service and interest cost components	14,000
Effect of 1% point decrease on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	$247,000

US_and_International_Pension_P

U.S. and International Pension Plans With Accumulated and Projected Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Projected benefit obligation	($50,154)	($47,090)
Accumulated benefit obligation	-49,303	-46,316
Fair value of plan assets	41,503	42,980
Projected benefit obligation	-50,154	-47,090
Fair value of plan assets	41,503	42,980
International Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Projected benefit obligation	-143,121	-117,717
Accumulated benefit obligation	-138,443	-108,182
Fair value of plan assets	104,232	100,798
Projected benefit obligation	-151,920	-126,998
Fair value of plan assets	$112,526	$109,219

Components_of_Net_Periodic_Ben

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Costs (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$334	$432	$379
Interest cost	2,070	1,960	2,113
Expected return on plan assets	-2,476	-2,977	-3,095
Amortization of initial net obligation and prior service cost	23	62	62
Amortization of net loss (gain)	2,197	3,180	2,968
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	2,148	2,657	2,427
International Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	2,138	2,035	2,006
Interest cost	8,102	6,661	7,114
Expected return on plan assets	-9,646	-8,418	-8,132
Amortization of initial net obligation and prior service cost	248	270	322
Amortization of net loss (gain)	2,768	3,107	2,412
Settlement and curtailment losses recognized	-390	168	1,149
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	3,220	3,823	4,871
U.S. Post Retirement
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	29	47	24
Interest cost	1,155	1,113	1,387
Amortization of initial net obligation and prior service cost	-2,730	-2,689	-2,608
Amortization of net loss (gain)	1,330	1,634	1,790
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	-216	105	593
International Post Retirement
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	47	48	45
Interest cost	173	172	201
Amortization of initial net obligation and prior service cost	-8	-211	-240
Amortization of net loss (gain)	-141	-93	-90
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	$71	($84)	($84)

Other_Changes_in_Plan_Assets_a

Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans | U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net (loss) gain arising during the year	($4,613)
Amortization or curtailment recognition of prior service cost	23
Amortization or settlement recognition of net loss (gain)	2,197
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	-2,393
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss)	-4,541
Defined Benefit Pension Plans | International Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net (loss) gain arising during the year	-15,098
Effect of exchange rates	3,918
Amortization, settlement, or curtailment recognition of net transition obligation	168
Amortization or curtailment recognition of prior service cost	-313
Amortization or settlement recognition of net loss (gain)	2,768
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	-8,557
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss)	-11,777
Post Retirement Benefit Plans | U.S. Post Retirement
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net (loss) gain arising during the year	-5,806
Amortization or curtailment recognition of prior service cost	-2,730
Amortization or settlement recognition of net loss (gain)	1,330
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	-7,206
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss)	-6,990
Post Retirement Benefit Plans | International Post Retirement
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net (loss) gain arising during the year	-149
Effect of exchange rates	-53
Amortization or curtailment recognition of prior service cost	-96
Amortization or settlement recognition of net loss (gain)	-53
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	-351
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss)	($422)

Weighted_Average_Assumptions_U

Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Develop Actuarial Present Value of Projected Benefit Obligation (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	3.95%	4.70%	3.90%
Expected return on plan assets	5.70%	6.20%	7.50%
Rate of compensation increase	3.00%	3.00%	3.00%
International Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	3.48%	4.43%	4.30%
Expected return on plan assets	5.79%	6.07%	6.09%
Rate of compensation increase	3.10%	3.59%	3.10%
U.S. Post Retirement
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	3.95%	4.70%	3.90%
International Post Retirement
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	3.96%	4.60%	4.30%

Amounts_Included_in_Other_Comp

Amounts Included in Other Comprehensive Loss That are Expected to be Recognized as Components of Periodic Benefit Costs (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Prior service cost	$3
Net actuarial loss	1,062
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive (loss) income	1,065
International Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net transition obiligation	159
Prior service cost	61
Net actuarial loss	2,519
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive (loss) income	2,739
U.S. Post Retirement
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Prior service cost	-2,294
Net actuarial loss	1,355
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive (loss) income	-939
International Post Retirement
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Prior service cost	-8
Net actuarial loss	-33
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive (loss) income	($41)

Pension_Plan_Assets_by_Asset_C

Pension Plan Assets by Asset Category (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$41,503	$42,980
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans | Equity Security Funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	20,696	21,562
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans | Debt Security Funds And Other
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	20,034	20,749
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans | Cash and Cash Equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	773	669
International Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	182,254	156,705
International Defined Benefit Pension Plans | Equity Security Funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	99,715	84,699
International Defined Benefit Pension Plans | Debt Security Funds And Other
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	78,510	66,238
International Defined Benefit Pension Plans | Cash and Cash Equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$4,029	$5,768

Benefit_Payments_Expected_to_b

Benefit Payments Expected to be Paid to Plan Participants (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2015	$3,382
2016	3,377
2017	3,457
2018	3,409
2019	3,460
2020 through 2024	16,602
International Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2015	7,825
2016	7,582
2017	8,028
2018	8,197
2019	8,451
2020 through 2024	45,604
U.S. Post Retirement
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2015	1,305
2016	1,378
2017	1,406
2018	1,504
2019	1,596
2020 through 2024	9,247
International Post Retirement
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2015	212
2016	217
2017	216
2018	226
2019	241
2020 through 2024	$1,405

Costs_Recognized_Under_Defined

Costs Recognized Under Defined Contribution Plans and Multiemployer Pension Plans (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Disclosure Costs Recognized Under Defined Contribution Plans And Multiemployer Pension Plans [Abstract]
Multi-employer pension and health & welfare plans	$2,405	$2,678	$2,122
401(k) savings and other defined contribution plans	19,925	17,291	14,394
Total	$22,330	$19,969	$16,516

Contributions_in_Multiemployer

Contributions in Multiemployer Pension Plans (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contributions by the Company	$2,405		$2,678		$2,122
Idaho Operating Engineers Employers Pension Trust Fund
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
EIN	916075538	[1]
Plan Number	1	[1]
Pension Protection Act Zone Status					Green	[2]	Green	[2]
FIP / RP Status Pending / Implemented	No	[3]
Contributions by the Company	1,745	[4]	2,154	[4]	1,803	[4]
Surcharge Imposed	No	[5]
Expiration Dates of Collective Bargaining Agreements	30-Jun-15
Automobile Mechanics Local Number Seven Hundred And One Union and Industry Pension Plan
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
EIN	366042061	[1]
Plan Number	1	[1]
Pension Protection Act Zone Status					Red	[2]	Red	[2]
FIP / RP Status Pending / Implemented	Implemented	[3],[6]
Contributions by the Company	660		524		310
Surcharge Imposed	Yes	[5],[7]
Expiration Dates of Collective Bargaining Agreements	11-Dec-14
Other Plans
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contributions by the Company					$9
[1]	The “EIN / PN” column provides the Employer Identification Number and the three-digit plan number assigned to a plan by the Internal Revenue Service.
[2]	The most recent Pension Protection Act Zone Status available for 2012 and 2011 is for plan years that ended in 2012 and 2011, respectively. The zone status is based on information provided to the Company and other participating employers by each plan and is certified by the plan’s actuary. A plan in the “red” zone has been determined to be in “critical status”, based on criteria established under the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”), and is generally less than 65% funded. A plan in the “yellow” zone has been determined to be in “endangered status”, based on criteria established under the Code, and is generally less than 80% funded. A plan in the “green” zone has been determined to be neither in “critical status” nor in “endangered status”, and is generally at least 80% funded.
[3]	The “FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented” column indicates whether a Funding Improvement Plan, as required under the Code to be adopted by plans in the “yellow” zone, or a Rehabilitation Plan, as required under the Code to be adopted by plans in the “red” zone, is pending or has been implemented as of the end of the plan year that ended in 2014.
[4]	The Company’s contribution represents more than 5% of the total contributions to the plan.
[5]	The “Surcharge Imposed” column indicates whether the Company’s contribution rate for 2014 included an amount in addition the contribution rate specified in the applicable collective bargaining agreement, as imposed by a plan in “critical status”, in accordance with the requirements of the Code.
[6]	The Pension Fund’s board adopted a Rehabilitation Plan on September 30, 2012, increasing the weekly pension fund contribution rates by $75 with corresponding decreases to the weekly welfare fund contribution rates.
[7]	Critical status triggered a 5% surcharge on employer contributions effective June 2012. Effective January 1, 2013, this surcharge increases to 10% and remains in effect until the Company’s union adopts the Rehabilitation Plan.

Contributions_in_Multiemployer1

Contributions in Multiemployer Pension Plans (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of contribution to the plan	5.00%
Increasing in weekly pension fund contribution rates	$75
Surcharge Imposed	5.00%
Defined Contribution Plan
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Surcharge Imposed	10.00%
Red Zone
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of funds required in the critical status	65.00%
Yellow Zone
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of funds required in the critical status	80.00%
Green Zone
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of funds required in the critical status	80.00%

Components_of_Income_from_Oper

Components of Income from Operations before Provision for Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Domestic	$343,180	$285,395	$273,234
Foreign	164,675	135,692	104,124
Income from operations before income taxes	$507,855	$421,087	$377,358

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries	$640,800,000
Withholding tax payable upon remittance of all previously unremitted earnings	19,400,000
Valuation allowance for foreign carryforwards	1,800,000
State and foreign tax credit carryforwards	1,100,000
State net operating loss carryforwards	5,000,000
Gross liability for uncertain tax positions	12,596,000	10,531,000	11,267,000	8,204,000
Unrecognized tax benefits if recognized that would affect effective tax rate	5,500,000	4,700,000
Accrued interest	1,900,000	1,500,000
Accrued penalties	1,300,000	900,000
Unrecognized tax benefits subject to change within the next 12 months	$700,000
Minimum
Income Taxes [Line Items]
State and foreign tax credit carryforwards, expiration year	31-Dec-15
Minimum | State Net Operating Loss Carry-forwards
Income Taxes [Line Items]
State and foreign tax credit carryforwards, expiration year	31-Dec-15
Maximum
Income Taxes [Line Items]
State and foreign tax credit carryforwards, expiration year	31-Dec-30
Maximum | State Net Operating Loss Carry-forwards
Income Taxes [Line Items]
State and foreign tax credit carryforwards, expiration year	31-Dec-35

Consolidated_Provision_for_Inc

Consolidated Provision for Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Current taxes, Federal	$108,782	$70,459	$81,630
Current taxes, State	17,091	13,173	16,415
Current taxes, Foreign	37,356	29,972	27,000
Current taxes	163,229	113,604	125,045
Deferred taxes, Federal	2,287	11,146	-2,203
Deferred taxes, State	1,404	1,375	851
Deferred taxes, Foreign	-10,745	2,727	1,933
Deferred taxes	-7,054	15,248	581
Total provision	$156,175	$128,852	$125,626

Reconciliation_of_Income_Tax_R

Reconciliation of Income Tax Rate (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
U.S. federal statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State taxes	2.20%	2.20%	2.80%
Tax reserves	0.30%	0.00%	0.30%
Foreign	-4.20%	-3.90%	-2.70%
Research and development credit	-0.50%	-0.60%	-0.20%
Manufacturing deduction	-1.80%	-1.70%	-2.10%
Other, net	-0.30%	-0.40%	0.20%
Effective rate	30.80%	30.60%	33.30%

Components_of_Deferred_Tax_Ass

Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Deferred income tax assets, Accrued expenses and reserves	$34,167	$32,243
Deferred income tax assets, Warranty reserve	21,123	16,783
Deferred compensation/employee benefits	21,759	21,326
Deferred income tax assets, Pension and postretirement obligations	26,736	17,920
Deferred income tax assets, Inventory	13,570	10,089
Deferred income tax assets, Net operating loss carry forwards	5,036	5,770
Deferred income tax assets, Tax credit carry forwards	1,078	4,126
Gross deferred income tax assets	123,469	108,257
Valuation allowance	1,818	3,332
Total deferred income tax assets	121,651	104,925
Deferred income tax liabilities, Property, plant, and equipment	29,998	25,440
Deferred income tax liabilities, Intangibles	157,781	140,317
Deferred income tax liabilities, Other	144	2,045
Total deferred income tax liabilities	187,923	167,802
Net deferred income tax liability	($66,272)	($62,877)

Liability_for_Income_Taxes_Ass

Liability for Income Taxes Associated with Uncertain Tax Positions (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Gross liability for uncertain tax positions at beginning of year	$10,531	$11,267	$8,204
Gross increases - uncertain tax positions in prior periods	30	55	180
Gross increases - current period uncertain tax positions	2,756	3,279	4,649
Gross decreases - uncertain tax positions in prior periods	-463
Gross decreases - audit settlement during year	-77	-2,515	-648
Gross decreases - expiration of audit statute of limitations	-181	-1,555	-1,118
Gross liability for uncertain tax positions at end of year	$12,596	$10,531	$11,267

Computation_of_Earnings_Per_Sh

Computation of Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$92,686		$90,155		$88,705		$80,134		$74,041		$73,943		$74,638		$69,613		$351,680		$292,235		$251,732
Less: dividends declared - common shares and non-vested restricted stock																	-19,246		-12,644		-7,666
Undistributed earnings																	332,434		279,591		244,066
Percentage allocated to common shareholders																	99.60%	[1]	99.50%	[1]	99.50%	[1]
Undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders																	331,104		278,193		242,846
Add: dividends declared - common shares																	19,167		12,583		7,625
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per common share																	$350,271		$290,776		$250,471
Denominator for basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares																	95,781		95,463		95,469
Assumed conversion of dilutive stock-based compensation plans																	1,104		1,369		1,273
Denominator for diluted earnings per common shares - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversion																	96,885		96,832		96,742
Basic	$0.96	[2]	$0.94	[2]	$0.92	[2]	$0.84	[2]	$0.77	[2]	$0.77	[2]	$0.78	[2]	$0.73	[2]	$3.66		$3.05		$2.62
Diluted earnings per share, As reported	$0.95	[2]	$0.93	[2]	$0.91	[2]	$0.83	[2]	$0.76	[2]	$0.76	[2]	$0.77	[2]	$0.72	[2]	$3.62		$3.01		$2.60
[1]	(1) Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding 95,781 95,463 95,469 Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding and non-vested restricted stock expected to vest 96,175 95,932 95,976 Percentage allocated to common shareholders 99.6% 99.5% 99.5%
[2]	Information above for basic earnings from operations per common share and diluted earnings from operations per common share for all periods presented reflects the two-for-one split of the Company’s common stock, which occurred on May 14, 2013.

Computation_of_Earnings_Per_Sh1

Computation of Earnings Per Share (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Denominator for basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares	95,781		95,463		95,469
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding and non-vested restricted stock expected to vest	96,175		95,932		95,976
Percentage allocated to common shareholders	99.60%	[1]	99.50%	[1]	99.50%	[1]
[1]	(1) Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding 95,781 95,463 95,469 Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding and non-vested restricted stock expected to vest 96,175 95,932 95,976 Percentage allocated to common shareholders 99.6% 99.5% 99.5%

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Shares not included in computation of diluted earnings per share	17,000	12,000	38,000

Stockbased_Compensation_Plans_1

Stock-based Compensation Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			36 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Plan term, years	10 years
Share based compensation arrangement plan expiration	31-Oct-16
Stock-based compensation expense	$26.10	$24.10	$19.80
Tax benefits related to the stock-based compensation plans	7.6	7.9	5.9
Unamortized compensation expense expected to be vested	22.8					22.8
Recognized weighted average period, years	1 year
Risk-free interest rate, year	7 years
Employee Stock Option
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	2.3
Non-Vested Restricted Stock
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	6.2
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	2.7
Performance Shares
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	3 years
Stock-based compensation expense	13.9
Performance Shares | Minimum
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of Incentive Stock Awards Expected to be Vested and Awarded of Stocks Granted	0.00%
Performance Shares | Maximum
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of Incentive Stock Awards Expected to be Vested and Awarded of Stocks Granted	200.00%
Performance Shares | Scenario Forecast
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of Incentive Stock Awards Expected to be Vested and Awarded of Stocks Granted				113.00%	105.00%	181.00%
Plan 2011
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares available for grant	3,393,779					3,393,779
Plan 2011 | Employee Stock Option
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Plan term, years	10 years
Award vesting period	4 years
Directors Plan
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued	836,464
Stock-based compensation expense	$1
Directors Plan | Employee Stock Option
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Plan term, years	10 years
Shares authorized for grants	1,000,000					1,000,000
Award vesting period	3 years
Directors Plan | Restricted Stock
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	1 year
Shares issued	12,704	17,875	22,010
Plan 2000 | Employee Stock Option
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Plan term, years	10 years
Award vesting period	4 years

Stock_Option_Activity_Detail

Stock Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Options Outstanding
Outstanding, beginning of period	1,232,862	1,465,678	1,724,784
Granted	81,552	116,392	151,396
Exercised	-163,786	-344,806	-346,736
Canceled	-3,070	-4,402	-63,766
Outstanding, end of period	1,147,558	1,232,862	1,465,678	1,724,784
Exercisable at December 31, 2014	795,942
Weighted-Average Exercise Price per Share
Outstanding, beginning of period	$24.36	$20.24	$17.37
Granted	$73.20	$48.29	$35.36
Exercised	$20.37	$14.98	$12.78
Canceled	$52.73	$26.61	$19.11
Outstanding, end of period	$28.33	$24.36	$20.24	$17.37
Exercisable at December 31, 2014	$20.83
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life, outstanding	5 years 6 months	6 years 1 month 6 days	6 years 3 months 18 days	6 years 6 months
Exercisable at December 31, 2014	4 years 7 months 6 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding, beginning of period	$61,530	$34,487	$30,362
Granted	1,116	3,024	1,274
Exercised	-10,895	-20,444	-10,746
Canceled	-105	-210	-1,573
Outstanding, end of period	67,205	61,530	34,487	30,362
Exercisable at December 31, 2014	$52,577

Stock_Options_Outstanding_Deta

Stock Options Outstanding (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Number of Options Outstanding	1,147,558
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Options Outstanding	$28.33
Number of Options Currently Exercisable	795,942
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Options Currently Exercisable	$20.83
Under $15.00
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of exercise prices, upper limit	$15
Number of Options Outstanding	222,500
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Options Outstanding	$14.46
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	4 years
Number of Options Currently Exercisable	222,500
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Options Currently Exercisable	$14.46
15.00 - 23.00
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of exercise prices, lower limit	$15
Range of exercise prices, upper limit	$23
Number of Options Outstanding	379,148
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Options Outstanding	$18.20
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	3 years 10 months 24 days
Number of Options Currently Exercisable	379,148
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Options Currently Exercisable	$18.20
23.00 - 30.00
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of exercise prices, lower limit	$23
Range of exercise prices, upper limit	$30
Number of Options Outstanding	203,834
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Options Outstanding	$28.73
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	5 years 10 months 24 days
Number of Options Currently Exercisable	108,328
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Options Currently Exercisable	$28.76
30.00 - 38.00
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of exercise prices, lower limit	$30
Range of exercise prices, upper limit	$38
Number of Options Outstanding	148,868
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Options Outstanding	$35.04
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	7 years 1 month 6 days
Number of Options Currently Exercisable	61,182
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Options Currently Exercisable	$35.22
Over 38.00
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of exercise prices, lower limit	$38
Number of Options Outstanding	193,208
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Options Outstanding	$58.59
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	8 years 6 months
Number of Options Currently Exercisable	24,784
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Options Currently Exercisable	$48.29

Fair_Value_of_Each_Option_Gran

Fair Value of Each Option Grant Weighted Average Assumptions (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Dividend yield	0.11%	0.21%	0.23%
Risk-free interest rate	2.20%	1.40%	1.40%
Stock price volatility	33.00%	43.80%	45.00%
Expected life (years)	5 years	5 years	5 years
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year	$22.82	$17.60	$13.21

Restricted_Stock_Activity_and_

Restricted Stock Activity and Incentive Stock Awards Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding, beginning of period	$35.27	$26.69	$22.02
Granted	$73.68	$48.62	$35.45
Vested	$29.83	$20.86	$17.87
Adjustment for incentive stock awards expected to vest	$47.56	$33.49	$32.77
Canceled	$48.50	$26.98	$22.52
Outstanding, end of period	$47.97	$35.27	$26.69
Restricted Stock and Units
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding, beginning of period	510,129	546,774	549,218
Granted	150,886	173,887	223,960
Vested	-218,502	-204,494	-197,388
Canceled	-3,970	-6,038	-29,016
Outstanding, end of period	438,543	510,129	546,774
Performance Shares
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding, beginning of period	1,043,594	1,329,078	1,292,724
Granted	140,240	200,090	237,320
Vested	-458,536	-570,918	-244,158
Adjustment for incentive stock awards expected to vest	74,680	91,694	69,778
Canceled	-8,370	-6,350	-26,586
Outstanding, end of period	791,608	1,043,594	1,329,078

Components_of_Accumulated_Othe

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation gain	($94,450)	$17,326
Pension benefit plans and post-retirement benefit plans, net of tax	-62,793	-50,172
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	-159,486	-34,856
Interest Rate Swap
Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Interest rate swap, accumulated other comprehensive loss	($2,243)	($2,010)

Components_of_Accumulated_Othe1

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap contracts, tax	$1,357	$1,252
Pension benefit plans and post retirement benefit plans, tax	($28,321)	($22,434)

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component, Net of Tax (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2013	($34,856)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	-128,745
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	4,115
Net current period other comprehensive income	-124,630
Balance at December 31, 2014	-159,486
Foreign Currency Translation
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2013	17,326
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	-111,776
Net current period other comprehensive income	-111,776
Balance at December 31, 2014	-94,450
Derivative Contracts
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2013	-2,010
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	-1,734
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	1,501
Net current period other comprehensive income	-233
Balance at December 31, 2014	-2,243
Pension And Post Retirement Benefit Plans
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2013	-50,172
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	-15,235
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	2,614
Net current period other comprehensive income	-12,621
Balance at December 31, 2014	($62,793)

Reclassifications_Out_of_Accum

Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income On Derivatives [Line Items]
Cost of sales									$2,108,472	$1,802,365	$1,696,555
Income from Operations									507,855	421,087	377,358
Interest expense, net									-17,574	-15,341	-14,251
Income tax expense									-156,175	-128,852	-125,626
Net income	92,686	90,155	88,705	80,134	74,041	73,943	74,638	69,613	351,680	292,235	251,732
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plan Adjustment Net Prior Service Cost Credit
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income On Derivatives [Line Items]
Cost of sales									-2,467
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plan Adjustment Amortization Of Net Loss (Gain)
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income On Derivatives [Line Items]
Cost of sales									6,242
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Pension And Post Retirement Benefit Plans
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income On Derivatives [Line Items]
Income from Operations									3,775
Income tax expense									-1,161
Net income									2,614
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Derivative Contracts
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income On Derivatives [Line Items]
Interest expense, net									2,168
Income tax expense									-667
Net income									$1,501

Operating_Leases_Additional_In

Operating Leases - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Net rental expense	$20	$18.20	$14.70
Sublease rentals	$0.10	$0.30	$0.20
Minimum
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating leases term, in years	1 year
Maximum
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating leases term, in years	15 years

Future_Minimum_Rental_Payments

Future Minimum Rental Payments Under Operating Leases (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Future Minimum Payments Under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases With Initial Terms Of One-Year Or More [Line Items]
2015	$17,822
2016	15,981
2017	12,598
2018	10,031
2019	9,108
2020 and after	21,676
Real Estate
Future Minimum Payments Under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases With Initial Terms Of One-Year Or More [Line Items]
2015	15,846
2016	14,508
2017	11,584
2018	9,352
2019	8,625
2020 and after	21,675
Equipment
Future Minimum Payments Under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases With Initial Terms Of One-Year Or More [Line Items]
2015	1,976
2016	1,473
2017	1,014
2018	679
2019	483
2020 and after	$1

Changes_in_Product_Warranty_Re

Changes in Product Warranty Reserve (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Changes In Product Warranty Reserve [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$60,593	$58,212
Warranty expense	34,110	23,059
Acquisitions	14,375	2,227
Warranty claim payments	-19,570	-20,603
Foreign currency impact/other	-1,659	-2,302
Balance at end of period	$87,849	$60,593

Preferred_Stock_Additional_Inf

Preferred Stock - Additional Information (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Preferred Stock Additional Information [Abstract]
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000

Liabilities_Carried_at_Fair_Va

Liabilities Carried at Fair Value Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	$3,351	$3,005
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Liabilities at fair value	3,351	3,005
Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap Agreement
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	3,351	3,005
Liabilities at fair value	3,351	3,005
Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap Agreement | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Liabilities at fair value	$3,351	$3,005

Estimated_Fair_Values_and_Rela

Estimated Fair Values and Related Carrying Values of Financial Instruments (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Carrying Value	$3,351	$3,005
Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap Agreement
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Carrying Value	3,351	3,005
Fair Value	3,351	3,005
4.375% Senior Notes, due 2023
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Note, Carrying Value	250,000	250,000
Fair Value	$260,000	$253,135

Estimated_Fair_Values_and_Rela1

Estimated Fair Values and Related Carrying Values of Financial Instruments (Parenthetical) (Detail) (4.375% Senior Notes, due 2023)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
4.375% Senior Notes, due 2023
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.38%	4.38%

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segment	2
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Export Sales	$521.70	$542.30	$579.60

Segment_Financial_Information_

Segment Financial Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales	$820,866	$797,271	$731,068	$695,249	$681,482	$631,398	$638,002	$615,510	$3,044,454	$2,566,392	$2,391,122
Income (loss) from operations	136,963	135,977	132,323	121,846	111,218	109,871	112,554	103,667	527,109	437,310	392,279
Interest expense and other, net									-19,254	-16,223	-14,921
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes									507,855	421,087	377,358
Depreciation and amortization									61,261	51,193	44,136
Capital expenditures									47,662	41,238	36,001
Segment assets	3,303,841				2,821,997				3,303,841	2,821,997	2,351,542
External Customers
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales									3,044,454	2,566,392	2,391,122
Operating Segments | Freight Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales									1,767,662	1,423,566	1,524,581
Income (loss) from operations									402,456	309,133	314,627
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes									402,456	309,133	314,627
Depreciation and amortization									34,579	30,645	26,436
Capital expenditures									22,913	22,020	25,095
Segment assets	2,516,645				2,258,773				2,516,645	2,258,773	1,895,512
Operating Segments | Transit Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales									1,320,335	1,175,281	896,963
Income (loss) from operations									147,821	143,634	94,861
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes									147,821	143,634	94,861
Depreciation and amortization									24,956	19,103	16,583
Capital expenditures									22,859	17,119	8,688
Segment assets	2,024,312				1,706,829				2,024,312	1,706,829	1,599,835
Operating Segments | External Customers | Freight Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales									1,731,477	1,398,103	1,501,911
Operating Segments | External Customers | Transit Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales									1,312,977	1,168,289	889,211
Operating Segments | Intersegment Sales/(Elimination) | Freight Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales									36,185	25,463	22,670
Operating Segments | Intersegment Sales/(Elimination) | Transit Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales									7,358	6,992	7,752
Corporate Activities and Elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales									-43,543	-32,455	-30,422
Income (loss) from operations									-23,168	-15,457	-17,209
Interest expense and other, net									-19,254	-16,223	-14,921
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes									-42,422	-31,680	-32,130
Depreciation and amortization									1,726	1,445	1,117
Capital expenditures									1,890	2,099	2,218
Segment assets	-1,237,116				-1,143,605				-1,237,116	-1,143,605	-1,143,805
Corporate Activities and Elimination | Intersegment Sales/(Elimination)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales									($43,543)	($32,455)	($30,422)

Geographic_Area_Data_Detail

Geographic Area Data (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	$820,866	$797,271	$731,068	$695,249	$681,482	$631,398	$638,002	$615,510	$3,044,454	$2,566,392	$2,391,122
Long-Lived Assets	339,111				276,078				339,111	276,078	244,088
UNITED STATES
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									1,537,002	1,336,604	1,199,294
Long-Lived Assets	158,913				150,952				158,913	150,952	131,850
United Kingdom
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									362,855	297,139	255,326
Long-Lived Assets	62,305				43,733				62,305	43,733	28,905
Canada
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									175,561	167,417	194,493
Long-Lived Assets	5,462				6,442				5,462	6,442	11,043
Mexico
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									174,218	128,184	139,089
Long-Lived Assets	7,812				5,862				7,812	5,862	4,886
Australia
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									113,668	141,056	191,994
Long-Lived Assets	6,505				5,033				6,505	5,033	5,151
China
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									101,889	49,952	28,886
Long-Lived Assets	12,788				7,863				12,788	7,863	7,555
Germany
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									86,792	54,869	38,574
Long-Lived Assets	33,441				13,599				33,441	13,599	12,914
Brazil
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									83,906	78,532	96,620
Long-Lived Assets	5,074				1,031				5,074	1,031	1,082
Italy
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									42,865	42,702	39,462
Long-Lived Assets	17,913				21,374				17,913	21,374	20,926
France
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									41,469	37,925	42,310
Long-Lived Assets	7,686				8,437				7,686	8,437	7,715
Netherlands
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									19,452	9,921	1,152
Long-Lived Assets	10,201				2,459				10,201	2,459	2,651
Other International
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									304,777	222,091	163,922
Long-Lived Assets	$11,011				$9,293				$11,011	$9,293	$9,410

Sales_by_Product_Detail

Sales by Product (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales	$820,866	$797,271	$731,068	$695,249	$681,482	$631,398	$638,002	$615,510	$3,044,454	$2,566,392	$2,391,122
Specialty Products & Electronics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales									1,393,955	1,041,771	1,094,148
Brake Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales									662,336	567,730	527,399
Remanufacturing, Overhaul & Build
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales									618,885	655,387	496,883
Other Transit Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales									201,913	204,115	197,634
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales									$167,365	$97,389	$75,058

Components_of_Other_Income_Exp

Components of Other Income Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other Income And Expenses [Abstract]
Foreign currency (loss)	($2,445)	($3,512)	($134)
Other miscellaneous income (expense)	765	2,630	-536
Total other (expense) income, net	($1,680)	($882)	($670)

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D2

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Disclosure Selected Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Net sales	$820,866		$797,271		$731,068		$695,249		$681,482		$631,398		$638,002		$615,510		$3,044,454	$2,566,392	$2,391,122
Gross profit	254,297		247,458		224,658		209,569		200,125		188,133		192,881		182,888		935,982	764,027	694,567
Income from operations	136,963		135,977		132,323		121,846		111,218		109,871		112,554		103,667		527,109	437,310	392,279
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$92,686		$90,155		$88,705		$80,134		$74,041		$73,943		$74,638		$69,613		$351,680	$292,235	$251,732
Basic earnings from operations per common share	$0.96	[1]	$0.94	[1]	$0.92	[1]	$0.84	[1]	$0.77	[1]	$0.77	[1]	$0.78	[1]	$0.73	[1]	$3.66	$3.05	$2.62
Diluted earnings from operations per common share	$0.95	[1]	$0.93	[1]	$0.91	[1]	$0.83	[1]	$0.76	[1]	$0.76	[1]	$0.77	[1]	$0.72	[1]	$3.62	$3.01	$2.60
[1]	Information above for basic earnings from operations per common share and diluted earnings from operations per common share for all periods presented reflects the two-for-one split of the Company’s common stock, which occurred on May 14, 2013.

Recovered_Sheet2

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Warranty And Overhaul Reserves
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period	$60,593		$58,212		$50,640
Charged/ (credited) to expense	34,110		23,059		22,862
Charged to other accounts	12,717	[1]	-75	[1]	1,682	[1]
Deductions from reserves	19,570	[2]	20,603	[2]	16,972	[2]
Balance at end of period	87,850		60,593		58,212
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period	5,707		6,656		8,406
Charged/ (credited) to expense	4,200		2,361		2,484
Charged to other accounts					72	[1]
Deductions from reserves	3,637	[2]	3,310	[2]	4,306	[2]
Balance at end of period	6,270		5,707		6,656
Valuation Allowance, Tax Credit Carryforward
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period	3,332		2,141
Charged/ (credited) to expense	-1,514		1,191		2,141
Balance at end of period	1,818		3,332		2,141
Merger And Restructuring Reserve
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period	775		836		960
Deductions from reserves	89	[2]	61	[2]	124	[2]
Balance at end of period	$686		$775		$836
[1]	Reserves of acquired/(sold) companies; valuation allowances for state and foreign deferred tax assets; impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
[2]	Actual disbursements and/or charges.