I believe the major cause of pick up roller wear is the gaps between track sections, at least for 027 track. I know the Super O track has a thin center rail verses the two tracks and do not know if it has gaps like the other types of rails. It believe the thin profile of Super O center rails may lead to deeper curves on the Super O pickup roller.
For O and O27 track - The reason pick up rollers can show the wear more than wheels is the small circumference of the roller verses the train wheels circumference. That means the wear on the pick up rollers will be many more times than a train wheel. The wear should be increase by the ratio of the two circumferences. The hardness of the metals will also make a difference. The wear on a pick up roller will be more on a track gap than a train wheel as the collision of the smaller diameter pick up roller will go deeper into the gap and a train wheel will ride over most small gaps.
I have added pieces of metal, about the thickness of 027 track, and cut them to the width of the joins for all gaps in three rail and put them to fill in the gaps. I install them with a pair of small nipper pliers. Most of the time I use aluminum flashing which is easier cut and form in the gaps.
Marx Brass Slide Pick Ups - I have worn through the brass etal on a few Marx brass slide pick ups and have soldered small pieces of steel tin can over the whole profile of the pick ups and curve the front and back to not catch on the gaps.
I also solder on pieces of tin can on my homemade slide pick ups shoes I make from thin brass shim metal.
Charlie
