The PIKO G-Track system offers 4 basic curve radii. The smallest curve ‘R1’ matches exactly with LGB R1. The larger radii each increase with a parallel spacing of 321,54 mm (nominally 320 mm) or 12.64 inches.
These 4 radii are available in curved track sections, as well as switches.
| Radius (mm) | Radius (ft)* | Diameter (mm) | Diameter (ft) | Name | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600 | 1.97 ft | – | G-R1 (600) | curves + switches | |
| 921,54 | 3.02 ft | – | G-R3 (920) | curves + switches | |
| 1.243,08 | 4.08 ft | – | G-R5 (1240) | curves + switches | |
| 1.564,62 | 5.13 ft | – | G-R7 (1560) | curves + switches |
*converted from mm, rounded to two digits
While PIKO’s curve geometry is really easy to understand, the naming convention perhaps makes it confusing for those who are used to LGB’s track geometry. PIKO’s R5 is very close to LGB R3, while PIKO’s R7 has a smaller radius than LGB’s R5.
PIKO designed their track system with a 60 cm module length as the starting point. So there’s a straight track of 600 mm, and two shorter pieces of 320 cm and 280 cm which form the basis for many track layouts in combination with the 4 curve radii. In some cases, 160 mm or 140 mm tracks are required to make the geometry fit.
Link: PIKO G Track Flyer (PDF – EN – 13 MB)
Summary: The concept of PIKO’s track geometry is easy to understand, and the 4 offered radii will certainly fulfill the needs of many people.
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