Continuation of BigLobe Plarail Museum

Phantom Gem 69: First Generation U-Turn Rail

This is one of the most forgotten rails today, now being ancient and exceptionally rare. They were featured in the C-58 Set and the Benkei-Go Set, as well as having a single item release in 1972 but was discontinued 2 or 3 years later. The original single item packaging are more rare than the rails as most of the rails come in the 2 sets mentioned earlier. The size difference of the newer red U-Turn rails and this rail are significant, where the red U-Turn rail is narrower to fit today's double track pieces, and the old U-Turn is wider to fit the old Y rails. A raised surface is on the furthest end of the loop, so trains running across can be seen tilting like in real life. This rail takes advantage of physics to suit high speed vehicles. 

There were 2 types of old U turn rails, the one above is the latter mold (single item only) and the initial mold is only a set product.
You will find the early type in the Benkei Set and the C58 Turntable Set, and the latter type as a single item only.
The early type was manufactured for only 1 year in 1972, and the latter type was manufactured from 1973 onwards (discontinuation date unknown) and quickly became out of print before anyone knew it. 



The latter type was slightly narrower, so it was forcefully split to fit the old Y rails and the converging rails. It also had a limiter at the middle of the curve but the initial type does not have the limiter.