Abstract: Electrically driven railway point operating apparatus having a biasing device whereby, without damage to the operating mechanism the point can be forced open against its closing bias by the wheels of a vehicle. The point operating slide is moved by a lever which in turn is moved by a driving member which is driven in either of opposed directions by a reversible electric motor. The driving member carries a roller which is located in an aperture in the lever, so that relative movement of the lever and the roller is permitted. The roller is returned by the motor to an intermediate position, when a switching operation is complete, so that the lever can move relative to the roller if the point is forced open.