PIKO

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Early PIKO exhibition layout

Piko (stylized PIKO, pronounced "peek-oh") is a German model train brand in Europe that also exports to the United States and other parts of the world.^[1][2]

History[]

Founded in 1949, PIKO was once a state-owned enterprise in the German Democratic Republic (East Germany), supplying a share of model trains in Eastern Europe. In 1992, after the reunification of Germany, the company was purchased by PIKO Spielwaren GmbH.^[2] PIKO Spielwaren GmbH was founded in April 1992 by Dr. René F. Wilfer, PIKO’s President, who had been working in the toy industry since 1986 and had previously managed a model building company.

Piko at the International Toy Fair Nuremberg 2016

Products[]

PIKO manufactures its own products, at its headquarters factory in Sonneberg (Thuringia) Germany, and at its own factory, PIKO China, in Chashan, PRC. The G-Scale product line is made in Sonneberg. The HO-Scale "Classic-Nostalgie" line is also made in Sonneberg. The HO-Scale "Expert", "Hobby", "SmartControl", "SmartControlLight" and "myTrain" lines, as well as the N-Scale and TT-Scale lines, are made at PIKO China.

PIKO today manufactures over 1500 ^[3] different products in the following model train scales:

G-Scale: A line of both American and European-prototype weather-resistant models for indoor and outdoor use, including starter sets, locomotives, passenger and freight cars, track, buildings, controls and accessories.

HO-Scale: A line of European-prototype models including starter sets, locomotives (most in both 2-Rail DC and 3-Rail AC versions), passenger and freight cars, track, buildings, controls and accessories.

TT-Scale: A line of European-prototype locomotives and cars.

N-Scale: A line of European-prototype models including locomotives, cars and buildings.

Manufacturing[]

Distribution[]

In Germany, PIKO products are distributed from the firm's headquarters in Sonneberg to a network of retailers. In other countries, PIKO distributors and representatives perform a similar function. In America, sales and distribution to retailers is handled by PIKO America in San Diego, CA.

References[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Piko.

External links[]

• PIKO official homepage
• PIKO official webshop
• PIKO America official homepage
• News about PIKO G