Pike is an abbreiviation of turnpike... "A toll road (or tollway, turnpike, pike, toll highway or an express toll route) is a privately or publicly built road for which a driver pays a toll (a fee) for use".
I think they are Talking about a Track set up that Climbs upward . My Grandfather had some of them Trains and a Track set-up that he had Boxed up and would not Let us see . When he Past away My Cousin Latched onto them . I do Remember seeing one and it was a nice Heavy weight Toy .