Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC) Posts: 9,277
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I did watched a video in the Youtube about power consumption of the two rail. It seems nickle silver are sensible when i can see some wear on the surface of the rail. This happens too for the digital locomotive which also have wear on one side of the wheel where it has contact on the + rail side. I was surpriced to see the result of the damage on the rail and the wheels. Is there any one here of the forum who has friends that have rail problems by use two rail tracks? |
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 1 user liked this useful post by Goofy
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Joined: 10/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 3,893 Location: Michigan, Troy
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Nope. I used Atlas code 83 track. Been on the same layout module since 1990. I run Hamo SBB croc, RE/420, DB br 03, Fleischamnn ICE-1, 610 pendolino, Piko br 612 regioswinger, Roco DB br E-08/10, E-91, Br E-103, and various American diesels.
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Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC) Posts: 9,277
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Originally Posted by: marklinist5999  Nope. I used Atlas code 83 track. Been on the same layout module since 1990. I run Hamo SBB croc, RE/420, DB br 03, Fleischamnn ICE-1, 610 pendolino, Piko br 612 regioswinger, Roco DB br E-08/10, E-91, Br E-103, and various American diesels. Looks nice! Does your track also have nickle silver on the rail? |
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 1 user liked this useful post by Goofy
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Joined: 10/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 3,893 Location: Michigan, Troy
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Yes Goofy. The rails are solid nickel silver and non magnetic 🧲. Unlike Marklin C track.
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Joined: 07/01/2015(UTC) Posts: 729 Location: England, Suffolk
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never heard of this problem on 'at home' layouts. It could possibly happen at huge open to the public layouts where trains travel at least 8 hours a day every day. This is a non problem IMO and YT is full of lies :-)
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 2 users liked this useful post by ocram63_uk
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Joined: 01/02/2004(UTC) Posts: 7,453 Location: Scotland
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Not heard of this ever being a problem. Had C track for many years and not as yet seen any wear. As said maybe if you run 8 hours a day every day you will get wear but I doubt anybody on here will be doing that. |
Take care I like Marklin and will defend the worlds greatest model rail manufacturer. |
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Joined: 05/12/2008(UTC) Posts: 1,802 Location: Crozet, Virginia
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Same here - C track since it came out and never any detectable rail wear.
Sounds like some more YT clickbait silliness to me. |
Regards,
Jim
I have almost all Märklin and mostly HO, although I do have a small number of Z gauge trains!
So many trains and so little time. |
 1 user liked this useful post by dickinsonj
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Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC) Posts: 9,277
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I did watched this video over again and it was a german Märklin railfan who did present close up pictures of the two rail with extrem macro lenz. Thanks for the comments and have a nice saterday! |
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Joined: 23/04/2019(UTC) Posts: 497 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
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Why not put a link to the video?
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 2 users liked this useful post by Copenhagen
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Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC) Posts: 9,277
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Joined: 23/04/2019(UTC) Posts: 497 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
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Thanks for posting the link. The video is mostly about different wheel nem norms and the difference between AC and DC wheels. Wear and tear is just briefly mentioned towards the end in the Radreinigung (wheel cleaning) chapter. There is one picture of new and old wheel surfaces that doesn't really show how much material has been worn off. And then there is another picture where he has grinded or sanded (angeschliffen) the surfaces of a wheel and of a piece of track to show the underlying metal.
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 3 users liked this useful post by Copenhagen
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Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC) Posts: 9,277
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Originally Posted by: Copenhagen  Thanks for posting the link. The video is mostly about different wheel nem norms and the difference between AC and DC wheels. Wear and tear is just briefly mentioned towards the end in the Radreinigung (wheel cleaning) chapter. There is one picture of new and old wheel surfaces that doesn't really show how much material has been worn off. And then there is another picture where he has grinded or sanded (angeschliffen) the surfaces of a wheel and of a piece of track to show the underlying metal. The video shows damage on the rail that tells difference dc and ac. Märklin use rail as a return line which does not wear out in the same way as a feed line. It is power consumption that causes wear on the surface of the rails due to metal contacts from the locomotives and carriages with lighting. The more locomotives and carriages that are on the rails, the more wear there is on the surface of the rails. That is what wears down the rails and where is dust and other dirt, it gets worse. I decides to stop use two rail system. |
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Joined: 23/04/2019(UTC) Posts: 497 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
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With all respect: Goofy wrong.
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Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC) Posts: 9,277
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Originally Posted by: Copenhagen  With all respect: Goofy wrong. Wear and tear are result when the metal have contact with the power consumption. In fact does even this happens with Märklin tracks too but in this case stud contacts. Two rail are more sensible cause of the nickle silver and depends how much power consumption you use on the tracks. That´s way people recommended you to clean the tracks and the wheels. I found on my two rail Tillig elite code 83 some wear and tear on top of the rail. |
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Joined: 30/12/2023(UTC) Posts: 80
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I've read many posts on 'track-cleaning' over the years. Whilst the topic here is different, I arrived at one conclusion.
Marklin (and other manufacturers) probably do more research on this issue than any of us possibly can do.
I'm happy to accept that Marklin's C-track will provide the 'optimum' solution with respect to wear; and to cleaning. It might need to be 'wiped-down' occasionally. If it wears out, then replace it. If we're looking at 'wear and tear' here, nothing lasts for ever, if it's used.
It's always amusing to see ebay sellers (and others) showing the slider in their photos as an example of 'use'. It's easy enough to put in a new slider...
I don't think Goofy is 'wrong' - but it really is a moot point. We're talking consumables here and track ends up being 'consumable'. Are our modern-day trains still running on track laid 100 years ago? Think about it... |
Fine, young, Tweed salseman that y'are
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Joined: 23/04/2019(UTC) Posts: 497 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
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As I see it the video isn't about wear and tear. The picture of the top layer of metal gone and exposing the underlying metal is because the maker of the video has manually ground the surface of a wheel and of a piece of track. I don't recall seeing posts or videos from "DC" users complaining about wear on wheels and tracks. I have found, by searching, that Miniatur Wunderland is replacing (or has replaced) lots of K track in favor of two wire. Link: https://www.miniatur-wun...jetzt-fliegt-alles-raus/And that they also use (or have used) several track systems: https://www.miniatur-wun...l-railway/track-systems/Edited by user 18 April 2025 17:26:39(UTC)
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 1 user liked this useful post by Copenhagen
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Joined: 08/11/2005(UTC) Posts: 3,528 Location: Mullerup, 4200 Slagelse
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Originally Posted by: Copenhagen  I have found, by searching, that Miniatur Wunderland is replacing (or has replaced) lots of K track in favor of two wire. Maybe Goofy knows more about wear on tracks than Miniatur Wunderland - after all, he has seen a video on Youtube Per. P.S: Serious wear on two rail track:  |
If you can dream it, you can do it! I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. This applies worldwide. In case this is not legally possible: I grant anyone the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law.  |
 5 users liked this useful post by Purellum
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Joined: 10/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 3,893 Location: Michigan, Troy
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Ooowwhh correct 💯 Per. If one thinks for a moment, the total trackage of a small layout gets ran on more in less time. So even running several trains at once, given the size of an exhibit like M.W.L., which has several different routes, it's still less. Remembering when my layout was smaller, I had to clean the tracks more often from the traction tire residue and black dirt.
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 1 user liked this useful post by marklinist5999
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Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC) Posts: 9,277
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I did photo a track name Tillig elite. When i did bought the track the top of the rail was brownish like side of the rail. After few hours used you can see that the top of the rail has become more glossier. This is what it happens when you supply voltage and power consumption. Have a nice day!   |
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 1 user liked this useful post by Goofy
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Joined: 23/11/2004(UTC) Posts: 20 Location: Copenhagen,
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Besides the angle the two photos is taken, I can’t see any difference! Could You mark the areas to compare please? |
Cheers,
Bent |
 1 user liked this useful post by Bent
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Joined: 08/11/2005(UTC) Posts: 3,528 Location: Mullerup, 4200 Slagelse
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Originally Posted by: Goofy  When i did bought the track the top of the rail was brownish like side of the rail. After few hours used you can see that the top of the rail has become more glossier. Exactly the same thing happens in our live steam club, where no electricity is involved: https://www.facebook.com/groups/205373204638300Just as it has always been since the first real train ran on steel track in 1825 - without any power coming from the tracks.  Per. |
If you can dream it, you can do it! I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. This applies worldwide. In case this is not legally possible: I grant anyone the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law.  |
 3 users liked this useful post by Purellum
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Joined: 05/12/2008(UTC) Posts: 1,802 Location: Crozet, Virginia
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I agree on the rail wear Per, no electrical charge is required. Thanks for posting that picture btw, which inspired me to check out the Western Maryland 1309, which I was not aware of. I think I really need to visit them, since it is only 285 km from my front door! Even better I can take a dinner cruise in a heritage dining car through the beautiful mountain scenery. |
Regards,
Jim
I have almost all Märklin and mostly HO, although I do have a small number of Z gauge trains!
So many trains and so little time. |
 1 user liked this useful post by dickinsonj
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Joined: 23/04/2019(UTC) Posts: 497 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
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I saw a youtube video originally from a television broadcast about maintenance on a Danish railway track with heavy traffic. There was a German crew with specialised equipment not only grinding the track but actually milling it where needed because af cracks and irregularities (like small chunks of surface metal missing). Without maintenance the track would deteriorate faster. This had nothing to do with electricity (and two rail...) but just a result of the ordinary traffic.
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 1 user liked this useful post by Copenhagen
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Joined: 09/08/2008(UTC) Posts: 1,919 Location: Auckland,
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I can’t believe this thread is still going!
1. track wears when trains run.
2. damage to rail can occur when electricity is fed through it, pitting from electricity occurs when excess current is going through the track. This can happen when idiots build high power boosters capable of delivering high current. Then they get arcing, followed by pitting. Really simple.
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 2 users liked this useful post by mvd71
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Joined: 23/04/2019(UTC) Posts: 497 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
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To stay in the jargon: is it fair to say that the discussion was off track from the beginning?
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 3 users liked this useful post by Copenhagen
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Joined: 01/02/2004(UTC) Posts: 7,453 Location: Scotland
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I cant think why but I just looked at my C track to see if it had any wear. Funny how some threads on here make you do odd things. |
Take care I like Marklin and will defend the worlds greatest model rail manufacturer. |
 4 users liked this useful post by David Dewar
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