MELGAR posted:Arnold D. Cribari posted:rtr12 posted:Super O Bob posted:.....
Copper is much softer than steel...
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U just cant cut hardend steel with soft copper!
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I'm late to the party here and I have no experience with Super O or Snap Track, but I did work with copper and steel during my working life. I agree that it would be difficult for copper (much softer) to groove, destroy or whatever happens to the rollers (steel, much harder).
I can't say it's impossible, but I would be really surprised? Also, it would be very interesting to know why, how, etc. how that could happen. If the cause was not arcing that is. At least it would be to me anyway.
When I met my train doctor today, I brought up the subject of Super O track. He only has a few pieces in his collection, so he is not that familiar with it. But, he immediately said it is known to wear out rollers, and that the middle rail is like a knife because it is so much thinner than tubular track rail...
I believe the softness of the thin copper middle rail mitigates roller wear.
That should be the case. But it means that the wear is occurring on the copper rail.
MELGAR
I have examples where the copper bus clips eventually wear away. The corners usually start if they are a little high. Keep in mind this is usually on the hand made track where things are not fitting perfect. Here is a pic of a random section of hand made wider radius curve. The corner has worn off. I have better examples to find, but my finding its the soft copper that goes away.
The center rails also get really smooth as you run your hands over them after a period of use.
This track is ready for cleaning. You can see the trail of grime on the center rail.
Melgar...Saw that you are an Aero Engineer!... So am I. I worked on designing Jet Fighters though...
