** Heavy industrial parts maker Wabtec Corp's WAB.N shares up 1.4% at $194.41 in morning trade

** Wabtec agrees to acquire Evident's inspection technologies division for $1.78 billion

** Co expects deal to be slightly accretive to adj. EPS in the first year of ownership

** Deal is expected to be finalized by the end of the first half of 2025

** As of last close, shares up ~1.2% YTD

(Reporting by Rupali Chaudhary in Bengaluru)

((Rupali.Chaudhary@thomsonreuters.com))