[11]) The other company forming Wabtec, MotivePower Industries, can be traced back to 1972,[12] with the formation of the MK Rail division by the Morrison Knudsen group and the purchase of a manufacturing facility in Boise.

The corporate logo is said to represent an axial view of a mechanical brake valve, where different air ports line up between the 'stator' and 'rotor' depending upon the handle position.

Issues included pay, healthcare benefits, paid time off, prohibitions on grievance strikes, and the number of tier-4 emission rules compliant locomotives built at the Erie plant.

[22][23] In July 2010, Wabtec announced the plan to purchase two manufacturers of rail equipment, G&B Specialties and Bach-Simpson Corp.[24] The companies produce track products and locomotive components respectively.

[27] On June 6, 2014, Wabtec acquired Fandstan Electric Group, a rail and industrial equipment manufacturer, for a purchase price of $199.4 million.

[28] On June 17, 2015, Wabtec acquired all three units of Metalocaucho (MTC), which are leaders in the field of suspension and anti-vibration systems in Spain, China and India, for a purchase price of $23.4 million.

[29] On July 27, 2015, Wabtec announced that it plans to purchase 51% of Faiveley Transport's shares in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $1.8 billion, including debt.

[32] On August 21, 2014, Wabtec acquired Dia-Frag, a manufacturer of friction products including motorcycle braking, for a purchase price of $70.6 million.

[42][43] In November 2011, Wabtec acquired Bearward Engineering, an industrial radiator manufacturer employing some 300 people based in Northampton, England.

The two main unions on site (Unite and RMT) gave notice on November 3, 2014, of their intention to ballot their members for industrial action over a pay dispute, for the first time in Wabtec Rail Limited's history.