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.
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Country Germany
Since 1949

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



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
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

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PIKO - Latest catalogs:

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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

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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

SBB CFF FFS - RABDe 510 multiple unit

Article number: 97255

Recommended price: 909.00 €

Available since: 1st Quarter 2026

SBB CFF FFS - RABDe 510 multiple unit

Article number: 97254

Recommended price: 799.00 €

Available since: 1st Quarter 2026

SBB CFF FFS - RABDe 12/12 multiple unit

Article number: 97253

Recommended price: 919.00 €

Available since: December 2025

PIKO - Latest announced miniatures:

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

Manufacturer: PIKO

Article numbers: 05.97490, 05.97492, 05.97493

Expected availability: September 2026

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

Manufacturer: PIKO

Article numbers: 05.97494, 05.97495, 05.97496

Expected availability: September 2026

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

Manufacturer: PIKO

Article numbers: 97580, 97582, 97583

Expected availability: 4th Quarter 2026

SBB Cargo - 2x Shimmns freight wagons set

Manufacturer: PIKO

Article number: 28304

Expected availability: April 2025

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