Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies (WAB) 10-Q 30 Apr 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 27, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	WAB
Entity Registrant Name	WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORP
Entity Central Index Key	943452
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		96,614,662

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$249,135	$425,849
Accounts receivable	495,712	443,464
Unbilled accounts receivable	169,957	187,762
Inventories	515,945	510,949
Deferred income taxes	44,416	43,953
Other	28,768	25,887
Total current assets	1,503,933	1,637,864
Property, plant and equipment	693,956	683,034
Accumulated depreciation	-344,913	-343,923
Property, plant and equipment, net	349,043	339,111
Other Assets
Goodwill	834,157	862,338
Other intangibles, net	441,363	422,811
Other noncurrent assets	39,011	41,717
Total other assets	1,314,531	1,326,866
Total Assets	3,167,507	3,303,841
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	381,285	399,845
Customer deposits	106,881	111,797
Accrued compensation	62,873	70,857
Accrued warranty	63,641	68,031
Current portion of long-term debt	579	792
Other accrued liabilities	80,510	87,480
Total current liabilities	695,769	738,802
Long-term debt	420,406	520,403
Accrued postretirement and pension benefits	78,059	81,908
Deferred income taxes	113,788	112,915
Accrued warranty	21,543	19,818
Other long-term liabilities	20,588	21,697
Total liabilities	1,350,153	1,495,543
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 96,610,455 and 96,274,395 outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	1,323	1,323
Additional paid-in capital	449,596	448,531
Treasury stock, at cost, 35,739,079 and 36,075,139 shares, at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	-388,606	-392,262
Retained earnings	1,999,519	1,909,136
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-245,585	-159,486
Total Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation shareholders' equity	1,816,247	1,807,242
Non-controlling interest (minority interest)	1,107	1,056
Total shareholders’ equity	1,817,354	1,808,298
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$3,167,507	$3,303,841

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
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	96,610,455	96,274,395
Treasury stock, shares	35,739,079	36,075,139

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$818,594	$695,249
Cost of sales	-563,239	-485,680
Gross profit	255,355	209,569
Selling, general and administrative expenses	-84,771	-70,081
Engineering expenses	-16,863	-12,946
Amortization expense	-5,301	-4,696
Total operating expenses	-106,935	-87,723
Income from operations	148,420	121,846
Other income and expenses
Interest expense, net	-4,306	-4,450
Other (expense) income, net	-2,866	-17
Income from operations before income taxes	141,248	117,379
Income tax expense	-45,084	-37,245
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$96,164	$80,134
Basic
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$1	$0.84
Diluted
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$0.99	$0.83
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic	96,243	95,529
Diluted	97,385	96,805

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$96,164	$80,134
Foreign currency translation (loss) gain	-87,931	-643
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative contracts	-1,705	283
Pension benefit plans and post-retirement benefit plans	3,822	1,808
Other comprehensive (loss) income before tax	-85,814	1,448
Income tax (expense) benefit related to components of other comprehensive (loss) income	-285	-655
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	-86,099	793
Comprehensive income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$10,065	$80,927

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Operating Activities
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$96,164	$80,134
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operations:
Depreciation and amortization	15,569	13,578
Stock-based compensation expense	8,763	6,707
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment	147	14
Excess income tax benefits from exercise of stock options	-314	-642
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions
Accounts receivable and unbilled accounts receivable	-39,502	-80,440
Inventories	-18,541	-19,105
Accounts payable	-12,931	19,141
Accrued income taxes	24,581	16,530
Accrued liabilities and customer deposits	-16,468	-15,920
Other assets and liabilities	-13,807	6,218
Net cash provided by operating activities	43,661	26,215
Investing Activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	-8,458	-6,333
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment	138	1,405
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	-75,713
Net cash used for investing activities	-84,033	-4,928
Financing Activities
Proceeds from debt	111,700	50,000
Payments of debt	-211,847	-50,067
Purchase of treasury stock		-2,151
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and other benefit plans	397	879
Excess income tax benefits from exercise of stock options	314	642
Payment of income tax withholding on share-based compensation	-14,565
Earn-out settlement		-4,429
Cash dividends ($0.06 and $0.04 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively)	-5,780	-3,828
Net cash used for financing activities	-119,781	-8,954
Effect of changes in currency exchange rates	-16,561	-2,990
(Decrease) increase in cash	-176,714	9,343
Cash, beginning of period	425,849	285,760
Cash, end of period	$249,135	$295,103

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash dividends, per share	$0.06	$0.04

Business

Business	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Business	1. BUSINESS
	Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (“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 the first three months of 2015, about 49% of the Company’s revenues came from customers outside the U.S.

Accounting_Policies

Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Accounting Policies	2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Basis of Presentation The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and include the accounts of Wabtec and its majority owned subsidiaries. These condensed consolidated interim financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required for complete financial statements. In management’s opinion, these financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal, recurring nature necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. Results for these interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year.
	The Company operates on a four-four-five week accounting quarter, and the quarters end on or about March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31.
	The notes included herein should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in Wabtec’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. The December 31, 2014 information has been derived from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognized in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605 “Revenue Recognition”. Revenue is recognized when products have been shipped to the respective customers, title has passed and the price for the product has been determined.
	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 at a minimum quarterly 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 $170.0 million and $187.8 million, customer deposits were $106.9 million and $111.8 million, and provisions for loss contracts were $9.9 million and $7.1 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 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 $28.1 and $24.9 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	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.
	Financial Derivatives and Hedging Activities The Company periodically enters into foreign currency forward contracts to reduce the impact of changes in currency exchange rates. Forward contracts are agreements with a counter-party 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 March 31, 2015, the Company had no material foreign currency forward contracts.
	To reduce the impact of interest rate changes on a portion of its variable-rate debt, the Company has entered into two forward starting interest rate swap agreements with notional values of $150.0 million. As of March 31, 2015, the Company has recorded a current liability of $5.1 million and a corresponding offset in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $3.1 million, net of tax, related to this agreement. For further information regarding the forward starting interest rate swap agreements, see Footnote 6.
	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 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.
	Non-controlling Interests In accordance with ASC 810, the Company has classified non-controlling interests as equity on our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Net income attributable to non-controlling interests for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was not material.
	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 Board voted to propose that the standard would take effect for reporting perionds beginning after December 15, 2017 and that early adoption would be allowed as of the original effective date. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the pronouncement will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
	Other Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income is defined as net income and all other non-owner changes in shareholders’ equity.
	The changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component, net of tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are as follows:
								Pension and
		Foreign						post
		currency			Derivative			retirement
	In thousands	translation			contracts			benefits plans			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	(94,450	)		(2,243	)		(62,793	)	$	(159,486	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(87,931	)		(1,342	)		2,400			(86,873	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
	comprehensive income		-			315			459			774
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		(87,931	)		(1,027	)		2,859			(86,099	)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	(182,381	)	$	(3,270	)	$	(59,934	)	$	(245,585	)
	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are as follows:
		Amount reclassified from			Affected line item in the
		accumulated other			Condensed Consolidated
	In thousands	comprehensive income			Statements of Operations
	Amortization of defined pension and post retirement items
	Amortization of initial net obligation and prior service cost	$	(522	)	Cost of sales
	Amortization of net loss		1,196		Cost of sales
			674		Income from Operations
			(215	)	Income tax expense
		$	459		Net income
	Derivative contracts
	Realized loss on derivative contracts	$	463		Interest expense, net
			(148	)	Income tax expense
		$	315		Net income

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	3. ACQUISITIONS
	The Company has 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 provider of railway signal construction services, for a purchase price of approximately $75.7 million, net of cash acquired, resulting in preliminary goodwill of $11.5 million, none of which will be deductible for tax purposes.
	·	On September 3, 2014, the Company acquired C2CE Pty Ltd. (“C2CE”), a provider of railway signal design services, for a purchase price of approximately $25.1 million, net of cash acquired, resulting in preliminary goodwill of $15.7 million, none of which will be deductible for tax purposes.
	The Company has made the following acquisitions operating as a business unit or component of a business unit in the Transit Segment:
	·	On August 21, 2014, the Company acquired Dia-Frag (“Dia-Frag”), a manufacturer of friction products for various markets with a focus on motorcycle braking, for a purchase price of approximately $70.6 million, net of cash acquired, resulting in additional goodwill of $36.2 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 additional goodwill of $53.4 million, none of which will be deductible for tax purposes.
	The acquisitions listed above include escrow deposits of $40.1 million, which act as security for indemnity and other claims in accordance with the purchase and related escrow agreements.
	For the RCL, C2CE, Dia-Frag, and Fandstan acquisitions, the following table summarizes the preliminary estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition.
			RCL			C2CE			Dia-Frag			Fandstan
			February 4,			September 3,			August 21,			June 6,
	In thousands		2015			2014			2014			2014
	Current assets		$	16,445		$	9,812		$	12,476		$	124,704
	Property, plant & equipment			11,983			1,853			13,749			68,498
	Goodwill			11,528			15,714			36,195			53,426
	Other intangible assets			40,403			3,654			26,150			50,598
	Other assets			-			-			66			216
	Total assets acquired			80,359			31,033			88,636			297,442
	Total liabilities assumed			(4,646	)		(5,921	)		(17,995	)		(98,037	)
	Net assets acquired		$	75,713		$	25,112		$	70,641		$	199,405
	Of the $120.8 million of total acquired intangible assets, $88.3 million was assigned to customer relationships, $25.6 million was assigned to trade names, $2.1 million was assigned to non-compete agreements and $4.8 million was assigned to customer backlog. The trade names were determined to have an indefinite useful life, while the customer relationships’ average useful life is 20 years, and the non-compete useful life is five years.
	The following unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information presents income statement results as if the acquisitions listed above had occurred on January 1, 2014:
			Three Months Ended			Three Months Ended
	In thousands		31-Mar-15			31-Mar-14
	Net sales		$	825,890		$	800,721
	Gross profit			257,646			241,861
	Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders			97,322			88,873
	Diluted earnings per share
	As Reported		$	0.99		$	0.83
	Pro forma		$	1		$	0.91

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	4. INVENTORIES
	The components of inventory, net of reserves, were:
		March 31,		December 31,
	In thousands	2015		2014
	Raw materials	$	206,195	$	222,059
	Work-in-progress		178,806		154,094
	Finished goods		130,944		134,796
	Total inventories	$	515,945	$	510,949

Intangibles

Intangibles	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangibles	5. INTANGIBLES
	The change in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:
		Freight			Transit
	In thousands	Segment			Segment			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	515,067			347,271		$	862,338
	Adjustment to preliminary purchase allocation		12			(11,795	)		(11,783	)
	Acquisitions		11,528			-			11,528
	Foreign currency impact		(6,163	)		(21,763	)		(27,926	)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	520,444		$	313,713		$	834,157
	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company’s trademarks had a net carrying amount of $167.3 million and $170.1 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:
		March 31,			December 31,
	In thousands	2015			2014
	Patents, non-compete and other intangibles, net of accumulated
	amortization of $39,607 and $39,780	$	13,261		$	14,722
	Customer relationships, net of accumulated amortization
	of $59,008 and $56,684		260,826			237,983
	Total	$	274,087		$	252,705
	The weighted average remaining useful life of patents, customer relationships and intellectual property were 10 years, 16 years and 14 years, respectively. Amortization expense for intangible assets was $5.3 million and $4.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and 2014.
	Amortization expense for the five succeeding years is estimated to be as follows (in thousands):
	Remainder of 2015	$	18,277
	2016		20,892
	2017		19,486
	2018		18,508
	2019		18,065

Longterm_Debt

Long-term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	6. LONG-TERM DEBT
	Long-term debt consisted of the following:
		March 31,		December 31,
	In thousands	2015		2014
	4.375% Senior Notes, due 2023	$	250,000	$	250,000
	Revolving Credit Facility		170,000		270,000
	Capital Leases		985		1,195
	Total		420,985		521,195
	Less - current portion		579		792
	Long-term portion	$	420,406	$	520,403
	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 an $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 March 31, 2015, the Company had available bank borrowing capacity, net of $27.2 million of letters of credit, of approximately $602.8 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 75 basis points.
	At March 31, 2015, the weighted average interest rate on the Company’s variable rate debt was 0.93%.  On January 12, 2012, 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 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. The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by the counterparty. However, since only the cash interest payments are exchanged, exposure is significantly less than the notional amount. The counterparty is a large financial institution with an excellent credit rating and history of performance. The Company currently believes the risk of nonperformance is negligible.
	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.  The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by the counterparty.  However, since only the cash interest payments are exchanged, exposure is significantly less than the notional amount.  The counterparty is a large financial institution 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.
	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”).  The 2013 Notes were issued at 99.879% of face value.  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.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	7. 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.
		U.S.						International
		Three Months Ended						Three Months Ended
		March 31,						March 31,
	In thousands, except percentages	2015			2014			2015			2014
	Net periodic benefit cost
	Service cost	$	95		$	98		$	506		$	424
	Interest cost		479			532			1,789			1,821
	Expected return on plan assets		(542	)		(620	)		(2,416	)		(2,216	)
	Net amortization/deferrals		266			655			652			758
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	298		$	665		$	531		$	787
	Assumptions
	Discount rate		3.95	%		4.7	%		3.48	%		4.43	%
	Expected long-term rate of return		5.7	%		6.2	%		5.79	%		6.07	%
	Rate of compensation increase		3	%		3	%		3.1	%		3.59	%
	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 $6.7 million to the international plans and does not expect to make a contribution to the U.S. plans during 2015.
	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 postretirement benefit plans summarized by U.S. and international components.
		U.S.						International
		Three Months Ended						Three Months Ended
		March 31,						March 31,
	In thousands, except percentages	2015			2014			2015			2014
	Net periodic benefit cost
	Service cost	$	2		$	10		$	11		$	9
	Interest cost		308			296			35			42
	Net amortization/deferrals		(234	)		(327	)		(9	)		(15	)
	Net periodic benefit (credit) cost	$	76		$	(21	)	$	37		$	36
	Assumptions
	Discount rate		3.95	%		4.7	%		3.96	%		4.6	%

Stockbased_Compensation

Stock-based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Stock-based Compensation	8. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	As of March 31, 2015, the Company maintains employee stock-based compensation plans for stock options, restricted stock, restricted units, 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 provides a maximum of 3,800,000 shares for grants or awards. The 2011 Plan was approved by stockholders of Wabtec on May 11, 2011. The Company also maintains a Non-Employee Directors’ Fee and Stock Option Plan (“Directors Plan”). No awards may be made under the Directors Plan subsequent to October 31, 2016.
	Stock-based compensation expense was $8.8 million and $6.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Included in the stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 above is $0.5 million of expense related to stock options, $1.6 million related to restricted stock, $1.1 million related to restricted units, $5.3 million related to incentive stock awards and $0.2 million related to awards issued for Directors’ fees. At March 31, 2015, unamortized compensation expense related to stock options, restricted stock, restricted units and incentive stock awards expected to vest totaled $42.2 million and will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.7 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 the Directors Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
					Weighted			Weighted
					Average			Average		Aggregate
					Exercise			Remaining		Intrinsic value
		Options			Price			Contractual Life		(in thousands)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		1,147,558		$	28.33			5.5	$	67,205
	Granted		83,035			87.11					618
	Exercised		(14,424	)		27.58					966
	Canceled		(3,216	)		47.99					150
	Outstanding at March 31, 2015		1,212,953			32.31			5.5		75,497
	Exercisable at March 31, 2015		960,252			23.9			4.8		67,838
	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:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Dividend yield		0.14	%		0.11	%
	Risk-free interest rate		1.82	%		2.19	%
	Stock price volatility		27.3	%		33.2	%
	Expected life (years)		5			5
	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 U.S. Treasury bond rates for the expected life of the option.
	Restricted Stock, Restricted Units 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 or restricted units that generally vest 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 March 31, 2015, the Company estimates that it will achieve 124%, 135% and 100% for the incentive stock awards expected to vest based on performance for the three-year periods ending December 31, 2015, 2016, and 2017, 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 restricted stock and incentive stock awards is based on the average of the high and low Wabtec stock price on the date of grant and recognized over the applicable vesting period.
	The following table summarizes the restricted stock and unit activity for the 2011 Plan, the 2000 Plan and the Directors Plan, and incentive stock awards activity for the 2011 Plan and the 2000 Plan with related information for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
								Weighted
		Restricted			Incentive			Average Grant
		Stock			Stock			Date Fair
		and Units			Awards			Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		438,543			791,608		$	47.97
	Granted		97,050			123,950			87.06
	Vested		(165,316	)		(433,932	)		36.94
	Adjustment for incentive stock awards expected to vest		-			71,976			57.78
	Canceled		(3,388	)		(2,760	)		51.43
	Outstanding at March 31, 2015		366,889			550,842			65.33

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	9. INCOME TAXES
	The overall effective income tax rate was 31.9% and  31.7% for the three ended March 31, 2015, and 2014, respectively.  For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the increase in the effective rate is primarily due to additional income earned in jurisdictions with higher statutory tax rates.
	As of March 31, 2015 and 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 tax rate.
	The Company includes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. As of March 31, 2015 the total accrued interest and penalties are $2.1 million and $1.5 million, respectively.  As of December 31, 2014 the total accrued interest and penalties were $1.9 million and $1.3 million, respectively.
	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.   With limited exception, the Company is no longer subject to examination by various U.S. and foreign taxing authorities for years before 2011.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	10. EARNINGS PER SHARE
	The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders is as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	In thousands, except per share data	2015			2014
	Numerator
	Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per common
	share - net income attributable
	to Wabtec shareholders	$	96,164		$	80,134
	Less: dividends declared - common shares		(5,781	)		(3,828	)
	and non-vested restricted stock
	Undistributed earnings		90,383			76,306
	Percentage allocated to common shareholders (1)		99.6	%		99.5	%
			90,021			75,924
	Add: dividends declared - common shares		5,759			3,810
	Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per	$	95,780		$	79,734
	common share
	Denominator
	Denominator for basic earnings per common		96,243			95,529
	share - weighted average shares
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Assumed conversion of dilutive stock-based		1,142			1,276
	compensation plans
	Denominator for diluted earnings per common share -
	adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversion		97,385			96,805
	Net income per common share attributable to
	Wabtec shareholders
	Basic	$	1		$	0.84
	Diluted	$	0.99		$	0.83
	(1) Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding		96,243			95,529
	Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding and		96,607			95,974
	non-vested restricted stock expected to vest
	Percentage allocated to common shareholders		99.6	%		99.5	%
	The Company’s non-vested restricted stock contains rights to receive nonforfeitable dividends, and thus, are participating securities requiring the two-class method of computing earnings per share. The calculation of earnings per share for common stock shown above excludes the income attributable to the non-vested restricted stock from the numerator and excludes the dilutive impact of those shares from the denominator.

Warranties

Warranties	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure Changes In Product Warranty Reserve [Abstract]
Warranties	11. WARRANTIES
	The following table reconciles the changes in the Company’s product warranty reserve as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	In thousands	2015			2014
	Balance at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively	$	87,849		$	60,593
	Warranty expense		6,363			6,023
	Warranty claim payments		(7,367	)		(3,668	)
	Foreign currency impact/other		(1,661	)		(54	)
	Balance at March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively	$	85,184		$	62,894

Fair_Value_Measurement_and_Fai

Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments	12. 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 March 31, 2015, which are included in other current liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance sheet:
				Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2015 Using
		Total Carrying		Quoted Prices in				Significant
		Value at		Active Markets for		Significant Other		Unobservable
		March 31,		Identical Assets		Observable Inputs		Inputs
	In thousands	2015		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Interest rate swap agreements	$	5,110	$	-	$	5,110	$	-
	Total	$	5,110	$	-	$	5,110	$	-
	The following table provides the liabilities carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013, which is included in other current liabilities on the Condensed 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	$	-
	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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. 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-Mar-15				31-Dec-14
		Carry		Fair		Carry		Fair
	In thousands	Value		Value		Value		Value
	Interest rate swap agreement	$	5,110	$	5,110	$	3,351	$	3,351
	4.375% Senior Notes		250,000		264,088		250,000		260,000
	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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	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. Further information and detail on these claims is described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, in Note 18 therein, filed on February 20, 2015. During the first three months for 2015, there were no material changes to the information described in the Form 10-K.
	The Company is also subject to litigation from time to time arising out of its operations in the ordinary course of business, including claims based on product liability, contracts, intellectual property, or other causes of action. Further information and detail on any potentially material litigation is as described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, in Note 18 therein, filed on February 20, 2015. During the first three months of 2015, there were no material changes to the information described in the Form 10-K.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	14. 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, friction products, 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, friction products, 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 the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:
						Corporate
		Freight		Transit		Activities and
	In thousands	Segment		Segment		Elimination			Total
	Sales to external customers	$	511,887	$	306,707	$	-		$	818,594
	Intersegment sales/(elimination)		8,928		2,584		(11,512	)		-
	Total sales	$	520,815	$	309,291	$	(11,512	)	$	818,594
	Income (loss) from operations	$	111,569	$	41,423	$	(4,572	)	$	148,420
	Interest expense and other, net		-		-		(7,172	)		(7,172	)
	Income (loss) from operations before income	$	111,569	$	41,423	$	(11,744	)	$	141,248
	taxes
	Segment financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2014 is as follows:
						Corporate
		Freight		Transit		Activities and
	In thousands	Segment		Segment		Elimination			Total
	Sales to external customers	$	385,506	$	309,743	$	-		$	695,249
	Intersegment sales/(elimination)		7,183		2,833		(10,016	)		-
	Total sales	$	392,689	$	312,576	$	(10,016	)	$	695,249
	Income (loss) from operations	$	91,931	$	34,518	$	(4,603	)	$	121,846
	Interest expense and other, net		-		-		(4,467	)		(4,467	)
	Income (loss) from operations before income	$	91,931	$	34,518	$	(9,070	)	$	117,379
	taxes
	Sales by product are as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	In thousands	2015		2014
	Specialty Products & Electronics	$	425,537	$	278,740
	Brake Products		167,397		155,605
	Remanufacturing, Overhaul & Build		136,690		172,249
	Other Transit Products		46,803		50,526
	Other		42,167		38,129
	Total sales	$	818,594	$	695,249

Other_Income_Expense_Net

Other Income (Expense), Net	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Other Income And Expenses [Abstract]
Other Income (Expense), Net	15. OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET
	The components of other income (expense) are as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	In thousands	2015			2014
	Foreign currency (loss) gain	$	(2,394	)	$	(361	)
	Other miscellaneous income (expense)		(472	)		344
	Total other income (expense), net	$	(2,866	)	$	(17	)

Accounting_Policies_Policies

Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and include the accounts of Wabtec and its majority owned subsidiaries. These condensed consolidated interim financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required for complete financial statements. In management’s opinion, these financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal, recurring nature necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. Results for these interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year.
	The Company operates on a four-four-five week accounting quarter, and the quarters end on or about March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31.
	The notes included herein should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in Wabtec’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. The December 31, 2014 information has been derived from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognized in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605 “Revenue Recognition”. Revenue is recognized when products have been shipped to the respective customers, title has passed and the price for the product has been determined.
	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 at a minimum quarterly 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 $170.0 million and $187.8 million, customer deposits were $106.9 million and $111.8 million, and provisions for loss contracts were $9.9 million and $7.1 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 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 $28.1 and $24.9 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
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.
Financial Derivatives and Hedging Activities	Financial Derivatives and Hedging Activities The Company periodically enters into foreign currency forward contracts to reduce the impact of changes in currency exchange rates. Forward contracts are agreements with a counter-party 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 March 31, 2015, the Company had no material foreign currency forward contracts.
	To reduce the impact of interest rate changes on a portion of its variable-rate debt, the Company has entered into two forward starting interest rate swap agreements with notional values of $150.0 million. As of March 31, 2015, the Company has recorded a current liability of $5.1 million and a corresponding offset in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $3.1 million, net of tax, related to this agreement. For further information regarding the forward starting interest rate swap agreements, see Footnote 6.
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 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.
Noncontrolling Interests	Non-controlling Interests In accordance with ASC 810, the Company has classified non-controlling interests as equity on our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Net income attributable to non-controlling interests for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was not material.
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 Board voted to propose that the standard would take effect for reporting perionds beginning after December 15, 2017 and that early adoption would be allowed as of the original effective date. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the pronouncement will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Other Comprehensive Income	Other Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income is defined as net income and all other non-owner changes in shareholders’ equity.
	The changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component, net of tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are as follows:
								Pension and
		Foreign						post
		currency			Derivative			retirement
	In thousands	translation			contracts			benefits plans			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	(94,450	)		(2,243	)		(62,793	)	$	(159,486	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(87,931	)		(1,342	)		2,400			(86,873	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
	comprehensive income		-			315			459			774
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		(87,931	)		(1,027	)		2,859			(86,099	)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	(182,381	)	$	(3,270	)	$	(59,934	)	$	(245,585	)
	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are as follows:
		Amount reclassified from			Affected line item in the
		accumulated other			Condensed Consolidated
	In thousands	comprehensive income			Statements of Operations
	Amortization of defined pension and post retirement items
	Amortization of initial net obligation and prior service cost	$	(522	)	Cost of sales
	Amortization of net loss		1,196		Cost of sales
			674		Income from Operations
			(215	)	Income tax expense
		$	459		Net income
	Derivative contracts
	Realized loss on derivative contracts	$	463		Interest expense, net
			(148	)	Income tax expense
		$	315		Net income

Accounting_Policies_Tables

Accounting Policies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
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 three months ended March 31, 2015 are as follows:
								Pension and
		Foreign						post
		currency			Derivative			retirement
	In thousands	translation			contracts			benefits plans			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	(94,450	)		(2,243	)		(62,793	)	$	(159,486	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(87,931	)		(1,342	)		2,400			(86,873	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
	comprehensive income		-			315			459			774
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		(87,931	)		(1,027	)		2,859			(86,099	)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	(182,381	)	$	(3,270	)	$	(59,934	)	$	(245,585	)
Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are as follows:
		Amount reclassified from			Affected line item in the
		accumulated other			Condensed Consolidated
	In thousands	comprehensive income			Statements of Operations
	Amortization of defined pension and post retirement items
	Amortization of initial net obligation and prior service cost	$	(522	)	Cost of sales
	Amortization of net loss		1,196		Cost of sales
			674		Income from Operations
			(215	)	Income tax expense
		$	459		Net income
	Derivative contracts
	Realized loss on derivative contracts	$	463		Interest expense, net
			(148	)	Income tax expense
		$	315		Net income

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Summary of Preliminary Estimated Fair Values of the Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed at the Date of the Acquisition	For the RCL, C2CE, Dia-Frag, and Fandstan acquisitions, the following table summarizes the preliminary estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition.
		RCL			C2CE			Dia-Frag			Fandstan
		February 4,			September 3,			August 21,			June 6,
	In thousands	2015			2014			2014			2014
	Current assets	$	16,445		$	9,812		$	12,476		$	124,704
	Property, plant & equipment		11,983			1,853			13,749			68,498
	Goodwill		11,528			15,714			36,195			53,426
	Other intangible assets		40,403			3,654			26,150			50,598
	Other assets		-			-			66			216
	Total assets acquired		80,359			31,033			88,636			297,442
	Total liabilities assumed		(4,646	)		(5,921	)		(17,995	)		(98,037	)
	Net assets acquired	$	75,713		$	25,112		$	70,641		$	199,405
Pro Forma Financial Information	The following unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information presents income statement results as if the acquisitions listed above had occurred on January 1, 2014:
		Three Months Ended			Three Months Ended
	In thousands	31-Mar-15			31-Mar-14
	Net sales	$	825,890		$	800,721
	Gross profit		257,646			241,861
	Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders		97,322			88,873
	Diluted earnings per share
	As Reported	$	0.99		$	0.83
	Pro forma	$	1		$	0.91

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Inventory, Net of Reserves	The components of inventory, net of reserves, were:
		March 31,		December 31,
	In thousands	2015		2014
	Raw materials	$	206,195	$	222,059
	Work-in-progress		178,806		154,094
	Finished goods		130,944		134,796
	Total inventories	$	515,945	$	510,949

Intangibles_Tables

Intangibles (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:
		Freight			Transit
	In thousands	Segment			Segment			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	515,067			347,271		$	862,338
	Adjustment to preliminary purchase allocation		12			(11,795	)		(11,783	)
	Acquisitions		11,528			-			11,528
	Foreign currency impact		(6,163	)		(21,763	)		(27,926	)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	520,444		$	313,713		$	834,157
Intangible Assets of the Company, Other Than Goodwill and Trademarks	Intangible assets of the Company, other than goodwill and trademarks, consist of the following:
		March 31,			December 31,
	In thousands	2015			2014
	Patents, non-compete and other intangibles, net of accumulated
	amortization of $39,607 and $39,780	$	13,261		$	14,722
	Customer relationships, net of accumulated amortization
	of $59,008 and $56,684		260,826			237,983
	Total	$	274,087		$	252,705
Amortization Expense	Amortization expense for the five succeeding years is estimated to be as follows (in thousands):
	Remainder of 2015	$	18,277
	2016		20,892
	2017		19,486
	2018		18,508
	2019		18,065

Longterm_Debt_Tables

Long-term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	Long-term debt consisted of the following:
		March 31,		December 31,
	In thousands	2015		2014
	4.375% Senior Notes, due 2023	$	250,000	$	250,000
	Revolving Credit Facility		170,000		270,000
	Capital Leases		985		1,195
	Total		420,985		521,195
	Less - current portion		579		792
	Long-term portion	$	420,406	$	520,403

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	The following tables provide information regarding the Company’s defined benefit pension plans summarized by U.S. and international components.
		U.S.						International
		Three Months Ended						Three Months Ended
		March 31,						March 31,
	In thousands, except percentages	2015			2014			2015			2014
	Net periodic benefit cost
	Service cost	$	95		$	98		$	506		$	424
	Interest cost		479			532			1,789			1,821
	Expected return on plan assets		(542	)		(620	)		(2,416	)		(2,216	)
	Net amortization/deferrals		266			655			652			758
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	298		$	665		$	531		$	787
	Assumptions
	Discount rate		3.95	%		4.7	%		3.48	%		4.43	%
	Expected long-term rate of return		5.7	%		6.2	%		5.79	%		6.07	%
	Rate of compensation increase		3	%		3	%		3.1	%		3.59	%
Postretirement Benefit Plans
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	The following tables provide information regarding the Company’s postretirement benefit plans summarized by U.S. and international components.
		U.S.						International
		Three Months Ended						Three Months Ended
		March 31,						March 31,
	In thousands, except percentages	2015			2014			2015			2014
	Net periodic benefit cost
	Service cost	$	2		$	10		$	11		$	9
	Interest cost		308			296			35			42
	Net amortization/deferrals		(234	)		(327	)		(9	)		(15	)
	Net periodic benefit (credit) cost	$	76		$	(21	)	$	37		$	36
	Assumptions
	Discount rate		3.95	%		4.7	%		3.96	%		4.6	%

Stockbased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 the Directors Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
					Weighted			Weighted
					Average			Average		Aggregate
					Exercise			Remaining		Intrinsic value
		Options			Price			Contractual Life		(in thousands)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		1,147,558		$	28.33			5.5	$	67,205
	Granted		83,035			87.11					618
	Exercised		(14,424	)		27.58					966
	Canceled		(3,216	)		47.99					150
	Outstanding at March 31, 2015		1,212,953			32.31			5.5		75,497
	Exercisable at March 31, 2015		960,252			23.9			4.8		67,838
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:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Dividend yield		0.14	%		0.11	%
	Risk-free interest rate		1.82	%		2.19	%
	Stock price volatility		27.3	%		33.2	%
	Expected life (years)		5			5
Restricted Stock Activity and Incentive Stock Awards Activity	The following table summarizes the restricted stock and unit activity for the 2011 Plan, the 2000 Plan and the Directors Plan, and incentive stock awards activity for the 2011 Plan and the 2000 Plan with related information for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
								Weighted
		Restricted			Incentive			Average Grant
		Stock			Stock			Date Fair
		and Units			Awards			Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		438,543			791,608		$	47.97
	Granted		97,050			123,950			87.06
	Vested		(165,316	)		(433,932	)		36.94
	Adjustment for incentive stock awards expected to vest		-			71,976			57.78
	Canceled		(3,388	)		(2,760	)		51.43
	Outstanding at March 31, 2015		366,889			550,842			65.33

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Earnings Per Share	The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders is as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	In thousands, except per share data	2015			2014
	Numerator
	Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per common
	share - net income attributable
	to Wabtec shareholders	$	96,164		$	80,134
	Less: dividends declared - common shares		(5,781	)		(3,828	)
	and non-vested restricted stock
	Undistributed earnings		90,383			76,306
	Percentage allocated to common shareholders (1)		99.6	%		99.5	%
			90,021			75,924
	Add: dividends declared - common shares		5,759			3,810
	Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per	$	95,780		$	79,734
	common share
	Denominator
	Denominator for basic earnings per common		96,243			95,529
	share - weighted average shares
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Assumed conversion of dilutive stock-based		1,142			1,276
	compensation plans
	Denominator for diluted earnings per common share -
	adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversion		97,385			96,805
	Net income per common share attributable to
	Wabtec shareholders
	Basic	$	1		$	0.84
	Diluted	$	0.99		$	0.83
	(1) Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding		96,243			95,529
	Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding and		96,607			95,974
	non-vested restricted stock expected to vest
	Percentage allocated to common shareholders		99.6	%		99.5	%

Warranties_Tables

Warranties (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	In thousands	2015			2014
	Balance at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively	$	87,849		$	60,593
	Warranty expense		6,363			6,023
	Warranty claim payments		(7,367	)		(3,668	)
	Foreign currency impact/other		(1,661	)		(54	)
	Balance at March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively	$	85,184		$	62,894

Fair_Value_Measurement_and_Fai1

Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015, which are included in other current liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance sheet:
				Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2015 Using
		Total Carrying		Quoted Prices in				Significant
		Value at		Active Markets for		Significant Other		Unobservable
		March 31,		Identical Assets		Observable Inputs		Inputs
	In thousands	2015		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Interest rate swap agreements	$	5,110	$	-	$	5,110	$	-
	Total	$	5,110	$	-	$	5,110	$	-
	The following table provides the liabilities carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013, which is included in other current liabilities on the Condensed 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	$	-
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-Mar-15				31-Dec-14
		Carry		Fair		Carry		Fair
	In thousands	Value		Value		Value		Value
	Interest rate swap agreement	$	5,110	$	5,110	$	3,351	$	3,351
	4.375% Senior Notes		250,000		264,088		250,000		260,000

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Financial Information
	Segment financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:
						Corporate
		Freight		Transit		Activities and
	In thousands	Segment		Segment		Elimination			Total
	Sales to external customers	$	511,887	$	306,707	$	-		$	818,594
	Intersegment sales/(elimination)		8,928		2,584		(11,512	)		-
	Total sales	$	520,815	$	309,291	$	(11,512	)	$	818,594
	Income (loss) from operations	$	111,569	$	41,423	$	(4,572	)	$	148,420
	Interest expense and other, net		-		-		(7,172	)		(7,172	)
	Income (loss) from operations before income	$	111,569	$	41,423	$	(11,744	)	$	141,248
	taxes
	Segment financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2014 is as follows:
						Corporate
		Freight		Transit		Activities and
	In thousands	Segment		Segment		Elimination			Total
	Sales to external customers	$	385,506	$	309,743	$	-		$	695,249
	Intersegment sales/(elimination)		7,183		2,833		(10,016	)		-
	Total sales	$	392,689	$	312,576	$	(10,016	)	$	695,249
	Income (loss) from operations	$	91,931	$	34,518	$	(4,603	)	$	121,846
	Interest expense and other, net		-		-		(4,467	)		(4,467	)
	Income (loss) from operations before income	$	91,931	$	34,518	$	(9,070	)	$	117,379
	taxes
Sales by Product
	Sales by product are as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	In thousands	2015		2014
	Specialty Products & Electronics	$	425,537	$	278,740
	Brake Products		167,397		155,605
	Remanufacturing, Overhaul & Build		136,690		172,249
	Other Transit Products		46,803		50,526
	Other		42,167		38,129
	Total sales	$	818,594	$	695,249

Other_Income_Expense_Net_Table

Other Income (Expense), Net (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Other Income And Expenses [Abstract]
Components of Other Income (Expense)	The components of other income (expense) are as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	In thousands	2015			2014
	Foreign currency (loss) gain	$	(2,394	)	$	(361	)
	Other miscellaneous income (expense)		(472	)		344
	Total other income (expense), net	$	(2,866	)	$	(17	)

Long_Term_Debt_Parenthetical_D

Long Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail) (4.375% Senior Notes, due 2023)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
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%

Business_Additional_Informatio

Business - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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.	49.00%
Minimum
Product Information [Line Items]
Number of countries where product found	100

Accounting_Policies_Additional

Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 05, 2014
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Unbilled accounts receivable	$169,957,000	$187,762,000
Customer deposits	106,881,000	111,797,000
Provisions for loss contracts	9,900,000	7,100,000
Deferred pre-production costs	28,100,000	24,900,000
Interest rate swap agreement, Current Liability	5,110,000	3,351,000
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	5,110,000	3,351,000
Interest rate swap, accumulated other comprehensive loss	$3,100,000

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component, Net of Tax (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2014	($159,486)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-86,873
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	774
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	-86,099
Balance at March 31, 2015	-245,585
Foreign Currency Translation
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2014	-94,450
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-87,931
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	-87,931
Balance at March 31, 2015	-182,381
Derivative Contracts
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2014	-2,243
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-1,342
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	315
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	-1,027
Balance at March 31, 2015	-3,270
Pension And Post Retirement Benefit Plans
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2014	-62,793
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	2,400
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	459
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	2,859
Balance at March 31, 2015	($59,934)

Reclassifications_Out_of_Accum

Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income On Derivatives [Line Items]
Cost of sales	$563,239	$485,680
Income from Operations	141,248	117,379
Interest expense, net	-4,306	-4,450
Income tax expense	-45,084	-37,245
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	96,164	80,134
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	-522
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plan Adjustment Amortization Of Net Loss
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income On Derivatives [Line Items]
Cost of sales	1,196
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	674
Income tax expense	-215
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	459
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Derivative Contracts
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income On Derivatives [Line Items]
Interest expense, net	463
Income tax expense	-148
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$315

Acquisitions_Additional_Inform

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Feb. 04, 2015	Sep. 03, 2014	Aug. 21, 2014	Jun. 06, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, net purchase price, net of cash	$75,713,000
Goodwill	834,157,000					862,338,000
Business acquisition, escrow Deposit	40,100,000
Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets	120,800,000
Trade Names
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets	25,600,000
Customer Relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets	88,300,000
Average useful life, years	20 years
Noncompete Agreements
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets	2,100,000
Average useful life, years	5 years
Order or Production Backlog
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets	4,800,000
RCL
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Date of acquisition	4-Feb-15
Business acquisition, net purchase price, net of cash		75,713,000
Goodwill		11,528,000
Goodwill tax deduction		0
C2CE
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Date of acquisition	3-Sep-14
Business acquisition, net purchase price, net of cash			25,112,000
Goodwill			15,714,000
Goodwill tax deduction			0
Dia-Frag
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Date of acquisition	21-Aug-14
Business acquisition, net purchase price, net of cash				70,641,000
Goodwill				36,195,000
Goodwill tax deduction				0
Fandstan Electric Group Ltd
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Date of acquisition	6-Jun-14
Business acquisition, net purchase price, net of cash					199,405,000
Goodwill					53,426,000
Goodwill tax deduction					$0

Summary_of_Preliminary_Estimat

Summary of Preliminary Estimated Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 04, 2015	Sep. 03, 2014	Aug. 21, 2014	Jun. 06, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$834,157	$862,338
RCL
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets			16,445
Property, plant & equipment			11,983
Goodwill			11,528
Other intangible assets			40,403
Total assets acquired			80,359
Total liabilities assumed			-4,646
Net assets acquired			75,713
C2CE
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets				9,812
Property, plant & equipment				1,853
Goodwill				15,714
Other intangible assets				3,654
Total assets acquired				31,033
Total liabilities assumed				-5,921
Net assets acquired				25,112
Dia-Frag
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets					12,476
Property, plant & equipment					13,749
Goodwill					36,195
Other intangible assets					26,150
Other assets					66
Total assets acquired					88,636
Total liabilities assumed					-17,995
Net assets acquired					70,641
Fandstan
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets						124,704
Property, plant & equipment						68,498
Goodwill						53,426
Other intangible assets						50,598
Other assets						216
Total assets acquired						297,442
Total liabilities assumed						-98,037
Net assets acquired						$199,405

Pro_Forma_Financial_Informatio

Pro Forma Financial Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Net sales	$825,890	$800,721
Gross profit	257,646	241,861
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$97,322	$88,873
Diluted earnings per share, As reported	$0.99	$0.83
Diluted earnings per share, Pro forma	$1	$0.91

Components_of_Inventory_Net_of

Components of Inventory, Net of Reserves (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials	$206,195	$222,059
Work-in-progress	178,806	154,094
Finished goods	130,944	134,796
Total inventories	$515,945	$510,949

Change_in_the_Carrying_Amount_

Change in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2014	$862,338
Adjustment to preliminary purchase allocation	-11,783
Acquisitions	11,528
Foreign currency impact	-27,926
Balance at March 31, 2015	834,157
Freight Segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2014	515,067
Adjustment to preliminary purchase allocation	12
Acquisitions	11,528
Foreign currency impact	-6,163
Balance at March 31, 2015	520,444
Transit Segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2014	347,271
Adjustment to preliminary purchase allocation	-11,795
Foreign currency impact	-21,763
Balance at March 31, 2015	$313,713

Intangibles_Additional_Informa

Intangibles - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Trademarks	$167,300,000		$170,100,000
Intangible assets, amortization expense	$5,301,000	$4,696,000
Patents
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Intangible assets, weighted average useful life (years)	10 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)	14 years

Intangible_Assets_Other_Than_G

Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill and Trademarks (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	$274,087	$252,705
Patents And Other
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	13,261	14,722
Customer Relationships
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	$260,826	$237,983

Intangible_Assets_Other_Than_G1

Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill and Trademarks (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Patents And Other
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$39,607	$39,780
Customer Relationships
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$59,008	$56,684

Amortization_Expense_Detail

Amortization Expense (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Remainder of 2015	$18,277
2016	20,892
2017	19,486
2018	18,508
2019	$18,065

Long_Term_Debt_Detail

Long Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital Leases	$985	$1,195
Total	420,985	521,195
Less - current portion	579	792
Long-term portion	420,406	520,403
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	170,000	270,000
4.375% Senior Notes, due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$250,000	$250,000

Long_Term_Debt_Additional_Info

Long Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 05, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, percentage bearing variable interest rate		0.93%
Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, effective issuance date	7-Nov-16	31-Jul-13
Maturity date of debt instrument	19-Dec-18	7-Nov-16
Interest rate swap agreements, notional amount	$150,000,000	$150,000,000
Interest rate on notional value	2.56%	1.42%
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt		170,000,000	270,000,000
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		0.75%
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		602,800,000
2013 Refinancing Credit Agreement | Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, current borrowing capacity		27,200,000
4.375% Senior Notes, due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Deferred financing cost		2,600,000
Debt instrument, effective issuance date		31-Aug-13
Senior Notes Coupon Rate		99.88%
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%

Components_of_Net_Periodic_Ben

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$95	$98
Interest cost	479	532
Expected return on plan assets	-542	-620
Net amortization/deferrals	266	655
Net periodic benefit cost	298	665
Discount rate	3.95%	4.70%
Expected long-term rate of return	5.70%	6.20%
Rate of compensation increase	3.00%	3.00%
International Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	506	424
Interest cost	1,789	1,821
Expected return on plan assets	-2,416	-2,216
Net amortization/deferrals	652	758
Net periodic benefit cost	531	787
Discount rate	3.48%	4.43%
Expected long-term rate of return	5.79%	6.07%
Rate of compensation increase	3.10%	3.59%
U.S. Post Retirement
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	2	10
Interest cost	308	296
Net amortization/deferrals	-234	-327
Net periodic benefit cost	76	-21
Discount rate	3.95%	4.70%
International Post Retirement
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	11	9
Interest cost	35	42
Net amortization/deferrals	-9	-15
Net periodic benefit cost	$37	$36
Discount rate	3.96%	4.60%

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Additio

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
International Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plans And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Contribution to the plan	$6,700,000
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plans And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Contribution to the plan	$0

Stock_Based_Compensation_Addit

Stock Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			36 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share based compensation arrangement plan expiration	31-Oct-16
Unamortized compensation expense expected to be vested	$42.20
Recognized weighted average period, years	1 year 8 months 12 days
Stock-based compensation expense	8.8	6.7
Employee Stock Option
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	0.5
Restricted Stock
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	1.6
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	1.1
Performance Shares
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	5.3
Award vesting period			3 years
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				100.00%	135.00%	124.00%
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%
Plan 2011
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Plan term, years	10 years
Number of shares available for grant	3,800,000
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]
Stock-based compensation expense	$0.20
Directors Plan | Restricted Stock
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period			1 year
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 $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Options Outstanding
Outstanding, beginning of period	1,147,558
Granted	83,035
Exercised	-14,424
Canceled	-3,216
Outstanding, end of period	1,212,953	1,147,558
Exercisable at March 31, 2015	960,252
Weighted-Average Exercise Price per Share
Outstanding, beginning of period	$28.33
Granted	$87.11
Exercised	$27.58
Canceled	$47.99
Outstanding, end of period	$32.31	$28.33
Exercisable at March 31, 2015	$23.90
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life, outstanding	5 years 6 months	5 years 6 months
Exercisable at March 31, 2015	4 years 9 months 18 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding, beginning of period	$67,205
Granted	618
Exercised	966
Canceled	150
Outstanding, end of period	75,497	67,205
Exercisable at March 31, 2015	$67,838

Fair_Value_of_Each_Option_Gran

Fair Value of Each Option Grant Weighted Average Assumptions (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Dividend yield	0.14%	0.11%
Risk-free interest rate	1.82%	2.19%
Stock price volatility	27.30%	33.20%
Expected life (years)	5 years	5 years

Restricted_Stock_Activity_and_

Restricted Stock Activity and Incentive Stock Awards Activity (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding, beginning of period	$47.97
Granted	$87.06
Vested	$36.94
Adjustment for incentive stock awards expected to vest	$57.78
Canceled	$51.43
Outstanding, end of period	$65.33
Restricted Stock and Units
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding, beginning of period	438,543
Granted	97,050
Vested	-165,316
Canceled	-3,388
Outstanding, end of period	366,889
Performance Shares
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding, beginning of period	791,608
Granted	123,950
Vested	-433,932
Adjustment for incentive stock awards expected to vest	71,976
Canceled	-2,760
Outstanding, end of period	550,842

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate	31.90%	31.70%
Gross liability for uncertain tax positions	$12.60		$12.60
Unrecognized tax benefits if recognized that would affect effective tax rate	5.5		5.5
Accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions	2.1		1.9
Accrued penalties related to uncertain tax positions	1.5		1.3
Unrecognized tax benefits subject to change within the next 12 months	$0.70

Computation_of_Basic_and_Dilut

Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Wabtec shareholders	$96,164		$80,134
Less: dividends declared - common shares and non-vested restricted stock	-5,781		-3,828
Undistributed earnings	90,383		76,306
Percentage allocated to common shareholders	99.60%	[1]	99.50%	[1]
Undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders	90,021		75,924
Add: dividends declared - common shares	5,759		3,810
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per common share	$95,780		$79,734
Denominator for basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares	96,243		95,529
Assumed conversion of dilutive stock-based compensation plans	1,142		1,276
Denominator for diluted earnings per common share - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversion	97,385		96,805
Basic	$1		$0.84
Diluted earnings per share, As reported	$0.99		$0.83
[1]	(1) Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding 96,243 95,529 Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding and non-vested restricted stock expected to vest 96,607 95,974 Percentage allocated to common shareholders 99.6% 99.5%

Computation_of_Basic_and_Dilut1

Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Parenthetical) (Detail)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Denominator for basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares	96,243		95,529
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding and non-vested restricted stock expected to vest	96,607		95,974
Percentage allocated to common shareholders	99.60%	[1]	99.50%	[1]
[1]	(1) Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding 96,243 95,529 Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding and non-vested restricted stock expected to vest 96,607 95,974 Percentage allocated to common shareholders 99.6% 99.5%

Changes_in_Product_Warranty_Re

Changes in Product Warranty Reserve (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Changes In Product Warranty Reserve [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$87,849	$60,593
Warranty expense	6,363	6,023
Warranty claim payments	-7,367	-3,668
Foreign currency impact/other	-1,661	-54
Balance at end of period	$85,184	$62,894

Liabilities_Carried_at_Fair_Va

Liabilities Carried at Fair Value Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest rate swap agreement, Current Liability	$5,110	$3,351
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	5,110	3,351
Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap Agreement
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest rate swap agreement, Current Liability	5,110	3,351
Liabilities at fair value	5,110	3,351
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	$5,110	$3,351

Estimated_Fair_Values_and_Rela

Estimated Fair Values and Related Carrying Values of Financial Instruments (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Carrying Value	$5,110	$3,351
Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap Agreement
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Carrying Value	5,110	3,351
Fair Value	5,110	3,351
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	$264,088	$260,000

Estimated_Fair_Values_and_Rela1

Estimated Fair Values and Related Carrying Values of Financial Instruments (Parenthetical) (Detail) (4.375% Senior Notes, due 2023)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
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)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segment	2

Segment_Financial_Information_

Segment Financial Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales	$818,594	$695,249
Income (loss) from operations	148,420	121,846
Interest expense and other, net	-7,172	-4,467
Income from operations before income taxes	141,248	117,379
External Customers
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales	818,594	695,249
Operating Segments | Freight Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales	520,815	392,689
Income (loss) from operations	111,569	91,931
Income from operations before income taxes	111,569	91,931
Operating Segments | Transit Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales	309,291	312,576
Income (loss) from operations	41,423	34,518
Income from operations before income taxes	41,423	34,518
Operating Segments | External Customers | Freight Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales	511,887	385,506
Operating Segments | External Customers | Transit Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales	306,707	309,743
Operating Segments | Intersegment Sales/(Elimination) | Freight Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales	8,928	7,183
Operating Segments | Intersegment Sales/(Elimination) | Transit Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales	2,584	2,833
Corporate Activities and Elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales	-11,512	-10,016
Income (loss) from operations	-4,572	-4,603
Interest expense and other, net	-7,172	-4,467
Income from operations before income taxes	-11,744	-9,070
Corporate Activities and Elimination | Intersegment Sales/(Elimination)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales	($11,512)	($10,016)

Sales_by_Product_Detail

Sales by Product (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales	$818,594	$695,249
Specialty Products & Electronics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales	425,537	278,740
Brake Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales	167,397	155,605
Remanufacturing, Overhaul & Build
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales	136,690	172,249
Other Transit Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales	46,803	50,526
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total sales	$42,167	$38,129

Components_of_Other_Income_Exp

Components of Other Income Expense (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Other Income And Expenses [Abstract]
Foreign currency (loss) gain	($2,394)	($361)
Other miscellaneous income (expense)	-472	344
Total other income (expense), net	($2,866)	($17)