Atlas track question ???

The black is just black oxide. It rubs and wears off, and some of us intentionally use a scotchbrite mild abrasive pad to polish the black off for better conductivity to rollers.

The back oxide- in my experience, doesn't work well with all rollers and can cause sparking or loss of power and other problems with example-DCS signal.

Vernon Barry is correct. It’s okay if it’s worn off. Iv used Atlas O for years and it’s great for even outdoor applications. I also have worn the Black finish off.

Thanks for the reply - so when you clean / polish  the black center rail some track is “silver” and some track is “copper” colored ???

@dorfj2 posted:

Thanks for the reply - so when you clean / polish  the black center rail some track is “silver” and some track is “copper” colored ???

Yes, depending on how far you polish it.

The layers- raw rail, copperish thin layer, black oxide.

You are showing examples of all 3 states.

Also, possible that Atlas over time and manufacturing runs changed their process. Most people have some used, new, and older track all mixed in when building a layout. Unless you just have that kind of cash and bought all new, all at the same time, same batch.

So it's possible some may not have had the copperish layer after the black was polished off.

Some atlas O track is all nickel rail ( even the middle rail ) and some is nickel rail on the outside rails, copper plated in the middle, …all if the middle rails are black oxide finished, ….as Vernon states, it’s pretty lousy for conductivity, …….I also had to knock off the oxide on the tops of my middle rails…..

Pat

See this topic if you want to go that deep. Again, it was polished off, so I would not get wrapped around the axle over it being slightly different- but that's just me.

https://ogrforum.com/.../atlas-o-center-rail

Another one https://ogrforum.com/...-rail-on-atlas-track

@Vernon Barry posted:

See this topic if you want to go that deep. Again, it was polished off, so I would not get wrapped around the axle over it being slightly different- but that's just me.

https://ogrforum.com/.../atlas-o-center-rail

Me too Vern, I’ve got it mixed all over my layout, …..I got my track second hand, so it was all mixed up, ……ask me if it bothers me, ……😉

Pat

Thank you everyone - for me mystery solved 👍🏼

I have a ton of this track to get rid of - it’s in great shape just wanted an explanation if anyone would ask

@dorfj2 posted:

Thank you everyone - for me mystery solved 👍🏼

I have a ton of this track to get rid of - it’s in great shape just wanted an explanation if anyone would ask

If you don’t mind, I have a buddy of mine who’s just starting to build his layout, …he really could use a mountain of track,….would you mind contacting me, and I’ll put you two together?..

Pat