The pickup rollers on my Williams and Lionel engines that I run non stop at train shows are wearing rather fast on tubular track. They seem to wear less on track that has a flat top center rail. There has been arching on some trains and it burns the surface where it touches the rail and loose contact. They are not as much dirty as burnt and worn. The trains run down the track sparking and eventually stall out, tripping the reverse unit in some. I have added a trailing car with electrical pickup to the Lion Chief engines that helps or 2nd diesel or car with pickup rollers wired to the Williams engines.
Would sanding or dremel sanding damage or buff up the surface enough that I could restore the electrical contact? I keep the tracks very clean. Replacement is an option but expensive and time consuming.
