#4531 Manual Points

A set of left and right points. Each point is equivalent to 2 straights in length, i.e. they are 32 studs long. The branches are unusual in that they curve out in one direction and then start to curve back the other way. Two standard curves are included that bring the branches all the way back parallel to the main track. The resulting siding is offset exactly 16 studs and leaves an 8 stud gap between the siding and main line.

Operation is manual. A small yellow lever moves just one small part of rail from one direction to the other. The lever is cleverly designed so that if you tread on it, sit on it or whatever, it just pops out, no damage done. Another good feature is that trains can pass through points even when they are set against them, the moving part of the mechanism is spring loaded so that the train wheels just push it out of the way as they pass through.

Each point electrically isolates the track that is set against it, this allows a train to be stopped in a siding while another train passes on the other track.

Points cannot be clipped onto baseplates like the straights can but most of the sleepers can still be attached to LEGOŽ bricks which is useful for making pylons for raised junctions.