I am probably the only one this is happening to, but, I am unboxing track from my last set up. Upon installing some of it, I am finding that the grey plastic tabs on the end are breaking. Some upon connection, some upon disconnecting. I use the "approved" method on installing (the V) and find that it still causes breakage. A utility knife, scrapping the plastic, finds a hard surface that tends to powder.
I am not alluding to any MTH problem, some of the track is over 20 years old (older Lionel O31 also suffers from rust, and dried out insulation tabs when stored - sort of expected.) so I can't really hold them responsible, but it is a little troubling. Once most of you lay track, you probably have no reason to pull any up.
But for carpet/floor builders, and seasonal runners like me, am I the only one seeing this? Could be just the fact it was stored for years, but I bet many of the aforementioned users put it in attics or basements. For now, I have enough that work for me. It is no problem to get the broken track to connect, it just would be stronger if the tabs stayed on.
I am finding the same thing with switches/turnouts. When the motor is installed, sometimes the connector inside the switch wants to move around. It is hard enough to connect some of the motors when it does not move.
Opening a switch up and you find a small, slotted plastic piece holding the connector. If loose, the plastic piece has broken off from the base. Epoxy is a good fix, back to like new.
Greg
