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28.03.2018 Press information: Roll Out PIKO G-scale model steam locomotive BR 95
On march 28th 2018 the celebratory Roll out of the new PIKO G-scale model of the steam locomotive BR 95 took place in the German Steam Locomotive Museum in Neuenmarkt.
The museum in Neuenmarkt harbours numerous impressive steam locomotives, including the legendary “mountain queen” BR 95. Due to that, the Sonneberg based model railway manufacturer PIKO used the location for the roll out and presentation of its new G-scale model of the BR 95. Together with its big sister, the 95 016, it was presented to media representatives and regional dealers for the first time.
There, the numerous guests could examine the well-known realistic and detailed implementation of the new PIKO model.
The steam locomotive of the series 95 is one of the highlights of Prussian locomotive building. For the first time it was built in 1922, at the time labelled as T 20. The German Reichsbahn needed the heavy machines as stabling and banking locomotives on steep tracks in the German central highlands and as replacements for their old rack railways. The locomotives, which were labelled 95 001 to 95 045, were amongst others used on the railway lines Arnstadt - Suhl, Probstzella – Rothenkirchen and near Neuenmarkt-Wirsberg. Towards the end of its service time, the BR 95 was only used in the Thuringian Forest until its era ended in 1980/81 due to changes in the train schedule. Today, the museum locomotives 95 009, 95027 and the 95 016 in Neuenmarkt still remind us of those times.
Together with the announced model of the electronic locomotive of the series 103, the BR 95 is one of the highlights of this year’s G-scale range by PIKO which creates a worthy monument to this important German class. The models will be delivered to dealers by the end of march so they are timely available for Easter and for the start of this year’s G-scale season. The recommended retail price of the PIKO BR 95 steam locomotive will be € 899,00.
Since PIKO has first started its range of G-scale locomotives and cars 12 years ago, the model railway manufacturer developed into a full-range supplier in this scale, offering a complete assortment of locomotives, railcars, passenger and freight cars as well as its own track system, digital control systems and attractive building models, all built at the PIKO headquarter in Sonneberg in southern Thuringia.
Besides the G-scale products, PIKO also offers a vast range of products in the three scales H0, TT and N.
PIKO and its distributing and production companies employ around 500 people worldwide, of which 160 are working in Sonneberg and around 350 in its own production site in southern China.
In the context of the Roll Out, PIKO owner Dr René F. Wilfer talked to the present guests about last year’s business performance and the positive start into the year 2018.
PIKO managed to slightly exceed their planned objectives for 2017 with a sales growth of 6% compared to the previous year. This way PIKO continued the positive development of the last years.
In Germany, the largest market for PIKO with a revenue share of 69%, the positive development of the last years continued with a growth of 7% compared to the previous year. PIKO’s export business also showed an increase of sales by 3% in 2017.
Especially the Polish, the Dutch and the Austrian market, which are directly supplied by PIKO, showed a very positive development and a growth in sales. PIKO managed to strengthen its position on these markets through intensive support as well as through attractive marketing and innovative new products. The company’s own sales organisations in the US and in China had a positive and strong year 2017 as well.
With this performance and due to its reliable and punctual supply of goods to specialized dealers, the company from Sonneberg managed to strengthen its position as the third-largest manufacturer of model railways in continental Europe. This reliability is rewarded by dealers, who present and sell a constantly growing range of PIKO products in their shops.
With almost 400 new products in the four scales G, H0, TT and N, PIKO again offers an attractive range of products and starts positively into the year 2018.
Because of its strong placement at retailers and the attractive novelties for the different markets and scales, PIKO plans a slight increase in sales of around 2%.
Sonneberg / Neuenmarkt, 28.03.2018
PIKO owner, Dr. René F. Wilfer, proudly presents the latest garden railway steam locomotive to the numerous press representatives attending the roll out ceremony in Neuenmarkt.
During the rainy roll out festivities the brand new model of the steam locomotive BR 95 impressively proves, that the weatherproof PIKO garden rail models are ideally suited for outdoors.
A dry place for our G model on the big sister's driving rod.
FOTO: Michael Zapf, MEC Bayreuth