Piko (model trains)
German model train brand with roots in East Germany.
Piko (stylized PIKO, pronounced "peek-oh") is a German model train brand that produces a wide range of products for the European market and exports to the United States and other parts of the world. Founded in 1949 as a state-owned enterprise in the German Democratic Republic (East Germany), it was purchased in 1992 by PIKO Spielwaren GmbH, a company founded by Dr. René F. Wilfer.
- Founded
- 1949
- Founder
- Dr. René F. Wilfer (as PIKO Spielwaren GmbH in 1992)
- Headquarters
- Sonneberg, Thuringia, Germany
- Products
- more than 1,500 products
- Scales
- G, HO, TT, N
- Key factory
- Sonneberg, Germany (G-scale and some HO-scale); Chashan, China (HO-scale Expert, Hobby, SmartControl, SmartControlLight, myTrain, N-scale, TT-scale)
Lore & Background
PIKO was founded in 1949 as a state-owned enterprise in the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) to manufacture model trains for Eastern Europe. After the reunification of Germany, the company was purchased in 1992 by PIKO Spielwaren GmbH, which had been founded in April 1992 by Dr. René F. Wilfer, who had worked in the toy industry since 1986 and previously managed a model building company. The brand manufactures more than 1,500 products across G, HO, TT, and N scales. G-scale models are weather-resistant and designed for both indoor and outdoor use, with American and European prototypes. HO-scale models are European-prototype and offered in both 2-Rail DC and 3-Rail AC versions. TT and N scales focus on European-prototype locomotives and cars. The headquarters factory in Sonneberg, Germany produces G-scale and some HO-scale products, while a factory in Chashan, China produces HO-scale lines (Expert, Hobby, SmartControl, SmartControlLight, myTrain) as well as N-scale and TT-scale lines.
Reader's Guide
Piko's significance lies in its transition from a state-owned East German manufacturer to a privately held brand serving international markets. Its product range covers four major model train scales, with G-scale models notable for weather resistance suitable for outdoor use. The company maintains dual production sites: its original factory in Sonneberg, Germany, and a facility in Chashan, China, which handles several HO-scale lines and the smaller N and TT scales. Distribution in Germany flows from the Sonneberg headquarters to a network of retailers, while international markets are served by distributors and representatives; in the United States, PIKO America in San Diego, California handles sales and distribution. The brand's legacy includes its continued presence at events such as the International Toy Fair Nuremberg and its ability to offer both European and American prototype models, particularly in G scale.
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