About

PIKO

Piko was founded in 1949 in Sonneberg, East Germany, originally as a state-owned enterprise (VEB Piko) tasked with providing high-quality model trains to the Eastern Bloc. Following the reunification of Germany, the company faced an uncertain future until it was acquired in 1992 by Dr. René F. Wilfer, who transformed it into a global powerhouse. Today, Piko is renowned for its incredible development speed and "maker" attitude, consistently releasing a staggering number of new molds each year. Operating from its historic headquarters in Sonneberg and its own modern production facility in Chashan, China, the brand has successfully bridged the gap between entry-level accessibility and "Expert" grade precision.

The company’s product philosophy is uniquely organized into tiers to cater to different budget and detail requirements. The Hobby line provides robust, affordable entry points for beginners, while the Classic line focuses on re-releasing iconic vintage molds with modern mechanical internals. However, it is the Expert line that has defined Piko’s modern era, offering museum-quality detailing, intricate etched parts, and sophisticated lighting at a price point that often undercuts its long-established competitors. This "Expert" standard has made Piko a formidable rival to legacy brands, as they provide high-fidelity models that are as mechanically sound as they are aesthetically pleasing.

Piko is a rare "all-scale" manufacturer, maintaining a dominant presence in H0 (1:87), TT (1:120) and N (1:160), while also reigning as a world leader in G Scale (1:22.5) garden railways. Their G Scale products are particularly famous for their weather-resistant construction and "ball-bearing" motor technology, making them the gold standard for outdoor layouts. In recent years, the brand has heavily invested in its own digital ecosystem, moving away from third-party decoders to develop the PIKO SmartDecoder XP 5.1. This hardware supports advanced "TrainSound" profiles, mfx-compatibility, and seamless integration with their SmartControl wlan systems, allowing for a "plug-and-play" experience across both DC and AC (Märklin) systems.

Country Germany

Since 1949

G (1:22,5) H0 / HO (1:87) N (1:160) TT (1:120)

Lutherstraße 30, 96515 Sonneberg, Germany

www.piko.de

+49 3675 897242

info@piko.de

PIKO will attend the following events:

Piko "Tag der Offenen Tür" | Sonneberg, DE Jun 20, 2026

Hobbymesse Leipzig | Leipzig, DE Oct 2 - 4, 2026

Modellbautage Tulln | Tulln, AT Oct 16 - 18, 2026

Faszination Modellbau | Friedrichshafen, DE Oct 30 - Nov 1, 2026

Show all future events

PIKO attended the following events:

INTERMODELLBAU | Dortmund, DE Apr 16 - 19, 2026

Faszination Modellbau | Friedrichshafen, DE Oct 31 - Nov 2, 2025

Hobbymesse Leipzig | Leipzig, DE Oct 3 - 5, 2025

Hobby Model Expo | Segrate, IT Sep 26 - 28, 2025

Märklin Days | Göppingen, DE Sep 19 - 21, 2025

Show all past events

PIKO - Latest catalogs:

Neuheiten-Auslieferung Mai 2026

H0 / HO (1:87), N (1:160), TT (1:120), G (1:22,5) / de

Neuheiten-Auslieferung April 2026

H0 / HO (1:87), N (1:160), TT (1:120), G (1:22,5) / de

Neuheiten-Auslieferung März 2026

H0 / HO (1:87), N (1:160), TT (1:120), G (1:22,5) / de

Catalog 2026/2027

H0 / HO (1:87) / en

Neuheiten-Auslieferung Februar 2026

H0 / HO (1:87), N (1:160), TT (1:120), G (1:22,5) / de

НОВИНКИ 2026

H0 / HO (1:87) / ru

Nowości 2026

H0 / HO (1:87) / pl

Novità 2026

H0 / HO (1:87) / it

Show all

PIKO - Recently featured in the following videos:

Intermodellbau Dortmund 2026 – Part 2 | ACME, Piko, LS Models, Rivarossi, Arnold, ESU, Lemke, ...

Model Expo Italy 2026 - ACME, Rivarossi, Lima, Piko, ViTrains, Jouef, etc. + Layouts & Dioramas

Model Expo Italy 2026: Piko

Faszination Modellbau 2025 – Manufacturers & New Releases

Hobbymesse Leipzig 2025 – Full Event in 360°

Hobbymesse Leipzig 2025 – Manufacturers & New Releases

Hobby Model Expo Novegro 2025 – Manufacturer Showcase & New Releases

Märklin Days / IMA 2025 – Stauferpark Göppingen in 360° (DJI Osmo 360)

All videos

PIKO - Latest official shorts / reels:

PIKO Modelle im Fokus | N BR 221 DB IV

23/04/2026

🚄 Metropolitan BR 101 im Einsatz | Jetzt verfügbar

13/04/2026

PIKO H0 Sonderwagen Feuerwehr 🚒 | 5 € Spende pro Modell

11/04/2026

🐰🚂 Noch 2 Wochen bis Ostern – Osterwagen im Einsatz

22/03/2026

🔧🚧 Produktionsstart für das TOFT-Sondermodell 2026

15/03/2026

PIKO | Faszinierende Modelle - H0 Expert Diesellok BR 215 DB IV #22060ff

14/03/2026

PIKO | Faszinierende Modelle - H0 Expert Diesellok M44 MÁV III #52380ff

08/03/2026

Model Expo Italy 2026: Piko

07/03/2026

PIKO G Messwagen – Perfekt zum Frühlingsstart der Gartenbahn 🌱🚂

01/03/2026

PIKO Models in Focus | H0 Expert BR 215 DB IV

19/02/2026

Behind the Scenes at PIKO 🚂 | How the BR 215 is Made

17/02/2026

PIKO | Fascinating Models - H0 Expert Diesel Locomotive D.445 FS V/VI

12/02/2026

PIKO | Fascinating Models - H0 Expert Conversion Car 4yg DB IV

08/02/2026

From Sonneberg with Love – This is how the PIKO 'Valentine’s Express' is created

30/01/2026

PIKO H0 Conversion Car | From Blank to Model

15/01/2026

PIKO Review 2025 | H0 Diesel Locomotive D.445 FS

29/12/2025

PIKO Review 2025 | H0 Steam Locomotive BR 91.3

27/12/2025

PIKO Review 2025 | G Chemical Tank Car VTG

25/12/2025

All videos

PIKO - Latest official videos:

PIKO H0 Neuheiten 2026 – Weitere Highlights im Detail | PIKO kurz & kompakt. Fröhlich erklärt. #2

PIKO [W052] Vlog Dr. René F. Wilfer - Blick in die Produktion der TT BR 91.3

PIKO [D139] Digitalseminar xxx

PIKO H0 Neuheiten 2026 – Das steckt wirklich dahinter | PIKO kurz & kompakt. Fröhlich erklärt.

PIKO [V176] Start in die Gartenbahnsaison 2026 – Neuheiten & Highlights von PIKO

PIKO [D138] Digitalseminar Fragen und Antworten Teil 15 - Teil 2

PIKO [D137] Digitalseminar Fragen und Antworten Teil 15

PIKO [V175] H0 Expert Diesellok BR 215 DB IV #22060ff

All videos

PIKO - Recently featured in the following photos:

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PIKO - Now available miniatures:

SBB CFF FFS - RABDe 510 multiple unit

Article number: 97256

Recommended price: 919.00 €

Available since: 1st Quarter 2026

PIKO

PIKO - Latest catalogs:

PIKO - Recently featured in the following videos:

PIKO - Latest official shorts / reels:

PIKO - Latest official videos:

PIKO - Recently featured in the following photos:

PIKO - Now available miniatures:

SBB CFF FFS - RABDe 510 multiple unit

SBB CFF FFS - RABDe 510 multiple unit

SBB CFF FFS - RABDe 510 multiple unit

SBB CFF FFS - RABDe 12/12 multiple unit

SBB CFF FFS - RABDe 12/12 multiple unit

SBB CFF FFS - RABDe 12/12 multiple unit

CFR - 26-26 double-decker passenger coach

CFR - 26-26 double-decker passenger coach

DB - "Metropolitan" passenger coaches set

DB - "Metropolitan" train set

DB - "Metropolitan" train set

RailAdventure - Class 365 diesel locomotive

RailAdventure - Class 365 diesel locomotive

RailAdventure - Class 365 diesel locomotive

DB - Class 187 electric locomotive

DB - Class 187 electric locomotive

DB - Class 187 electric locomotive

SBB CFF FFS - Ae 6/6 11409 electric locomotive

SBB CFF FFS - Ae 6/6 11409 electric locomotive

SBB CFF FFS - Ae 6/6 11409 electric locomotive

DB - Residential / workshop cars

DB - Residential / workshop cars

SBB Cargo International - G1206 "ChemOil" diesel locomotive

SBB Cargo International - G1206 "ChemOil" diesel locomotive

PIKO - Latest announced miniatures:

SBB CFF FFS - Re 6/6 11601 "Wolhusen" electric locomotive

SBB CFF FFS - Re 6/6 11602 "Morges" electric locomotive

SBB CFF FFS - Ee 3/3 II 16515 electric locomotive

SBB Cargo - 2x Shimmns freight wagons set

CFR - 26-26 double-decker passenger coach

CFR - 26-26 double-decker passenger coach

SBB CFF FFS - RABDe 12/12 multiple unit

SBB CFF FFS - RABDe 510 multiple unit

SBB Cargo - Class 193 "Vectron" electric locomotive

Captrain - G6 diesel locomotive

Railpool - Class 186 "MFD Rail" electric locomotive

DB - T3000e "DHL" freight wagon

DB - Class 212 diesel locomotive

Captrain - Class 187 electric locomotive

DB - Class 249 "dual mode" electric & diesel locomotive

Mercitalia - E.483 electric locomotive

Vossloh - DE18 diesel locomotive

KEG - V 75 diesel locomotive

SERSA - Am 847 diesel locomotive

RailAdventure - Class 365 diesel locomotive

BLS - But EW II & EW I NINA 1st / 2nd class passenger coaches

SBB Cargo International - Class 193 electric locomotive

SBB Cargo - Ae 610 519-1 "Giubiasco" electric locomotive

SBB CFF FFS - Ae 6/6 11409 electric locomotive

European railways

Miniature models

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