Are they really that bad? I bought a hornby Flying Scotsman (about £50 version) and I can't send it backwards over points at any great speed (even if the points are straight). The train will derail or cause the points to open and send current down a siding with a stationary train on it. I also find that on the same point on my track the Scotsman will short the track over that point. I think it's because of the set of wheels near the rear of the loco that don't "hug" the track (They don't have rims) - they move around too much.
Is Peco the way to go with points?
-- The Zero ST