Piko A-Gleis or Roco geoLine: the differences side by side
Benjamin | TrackDrawer.com · published 4 November 2026
Piko A-Gleis and Roco geoLine are two H0 systems for two-rail DC with almost the same tightest curve (360 against 358 mm). Piko A has more curve radii, slim 15 degree turnouts, a Y turnout, crossings and flexible track; geoLine has a fixed roadbed, shorter 22.5 degree turnouts and a smaller range. If you are planning a permanent layout with many tracks, Piko A gives you more choice; if you want a compact layout on a table quickly, geoLine serves you well.
What they have in common
Both are H0 on 16.5 mm, two-rail DC. Your trains run on either. Both have straights, 30 degree curves, left and right turnouts with a matching curve, a three-way turnout and a double slip. Still, they are two separate systems: the dimensions above the tightest curve and the turnout geometry differ, so you cannot mix them piece by piece.
The differences in one table
| Feature | Piko A-Gleis | Roco geoLine |
|---|---|---|
| Curve radii | R1 360, R2 421.88, R3 483.75, R4 545.63 mm | R2 358, R3 434.5, R4 511.1 mm |
| Track spacing | 61.88 mm | 76.5 mm |
| Standard turnout | 55220/55221: 239.07 mm, 15 degrees, diverging radius 907.97 mm | 61140/61141: 200 mm, 22.5 degrees, diverging radius 502.7 mm |
| Matching curve | 55219, R9 over 15 degrees | 61128, 502.7 mm over 22.5 degrees |
| Straight make-up | G231, 230.93 mm | G185, 185 mm |
| Turnout plus matching curve moves forward | 470 mm | 384.75 mm |
| Y turnout | 55226, 2 x 15 degrees | none in our catalogue |
| Double slip | 55224, 15 degrees | 61164, 22.5 degrees |
| Crossings | K15 (55240) and K30 (55241) | none in our catalogue |
| Flexible track | G940, 940 mm | none |
| Shortest straight | G62, 61.88 mm | G76.5, 76.5 mm |
| Short curves | R1 and R2 at 7.5 degrees | R2 and R3 at 7.5 degrees |
| Transition tracks | to old Piko track and to 2.5 mm rail profile | none in our catalogue |
| Items in our catalogue | 23 | 15 |
Roadbed and use
geoLine is built around a fixed roadbed: the pieces click firmly together and stay put on a table or carpet. The range is deliberately small, with few different pieces. That keeps things simple for a first layout.
Piko A-Gleis has a wider range, with crossings, a Y turnout and flexible track. That suits a permanent layout on a baseboard, where you also want to lay free shapes. A comparison of geoLine with the other Roco system is in Roco geoLine or Roco Line.
Turnouts: short or slim
The geoLine turnout diverges by 22.5 degrees at 502.7 mm. After the matching curve, the second track is already 76.5 mm to the side after 384.75 mm. A passing loop therefore costs about 38.5 cm at each end.
The Piko turnout diverges by only 15 degrees, with a 907.97 mm radius. It runs more smoothly, especially with long coaches, but turnout and matching curve take 470 mm together; the second track is then 61.88 mm to the side. Per end of a passing loop that is 8.5 cm more than with geoLine, or 17 cm for a complete passing loop.
You see that in the width. With Piko A the TrackDrawer Auto-designer found the first loop with a passing loop on 185 x 90 cm, with geoLine already on 165 x 90 cm; for all sizes see how much space for Piko A-Gleis.
Curves and double track
The tightest curve is nearly identical: a circle on Piko R1 or geoLine R2 needs about 76 cm outside width. Above that the systems diverge. Piko spaces its radii 61.88 mm apart, geoLine 76.5 mm. Double track in Piko A is therefore narrower:
| Double track | Outer curve | Outside width (track width from our catalogue) |
|---|---|---|
| Piko A R2/R1 | 421.88 mm | 886.8 mm |
| geoLine R3/R2 | 434.5 mm | 907.5 mm |
| Piko A R3/R2 | 483.75 mm | 1010.5 mm |
| geoLine R4/R3 | 511.1 mm | 1060.7 mm |
On a 240 x 120 cm board the Auto-designer laid double track R2/R1 with a passing loop and a yard with Piko A, 68 pieces and 13.34 m of track: the most of any H0 system in our measurement. With geoLine it was double track R4/R3 with a siding and a yard, 59 pieces and 11.48 m. More in an H0 layout on 240 x 120 cm.
What the larger range gives you
The difference in item count (23 against 15) shows mainly in the freedom you have when planning:
- Crossings. With Piko's K15 and K30 you can lay a figure of eight or let two lines cross without a turnout. Our geoLine catalogue has no separate crossing; there you only cross via the double slip.
- Y turnout. Both roads of the Piko Y diverge by 15 degrees. That gives a symmetrical split, handy at the throat of a station or a fiddle yard.
- Straight lengths. Piko has six, from the 61.88 mm G62 (exactly one track spacing) to the 239.07 mm G239. geoLine has four, from 76.5 to 200 mm.
- Flexible track. With the G940 you can bend any radius above your minimum with Piko, for example a broad curve along a wall. geoLine works only with fixed pieces.
- Transitions. Piko has transition tracks to its older track and to track with a 2.5 mm rail profile, useful if you want to reuse old stock.
If you plan a small layout without crossings, you will miss little with geoLine. If you want a station with many tracks or a figure of eight, Piko A gives you more building blocks.
Which one when?
- Quick set-up, first layout, few different pieces: geoLine.
- Permanent layout with crossings, Y turnouts and free curves: Piko A-Gleis.
- Smooth running through the turnouts: Piko A with 15 degrees.
- Short station in little length: geoLine with its compact turnout.
Frequently asked questions
Can I combine Piko A and geoLine?
Not piece by piece: the radii above the tightest curve, the track spacing and the turnouts differ. There is no transition track between the two in our catalogue. Keep them in separate parts of the layout.
Which system has the tightest curve?
They are 2 mm apart: geoLine R2 at 358 mm, Piko A R1 at 360 mm. For the size of your baseboard that makes no practical difference.
Your plan
Choose Piko A-Gleis or geoLine in TrackDrawer, enter your stock and let the Auto-designer lay a plan that fits your baseboard.