This paper presents the development of material for train overhead contact wire. In view of therncurrent Addis Ababa Light Rail Train overhead contact wire with high material cost and lowrnwear resistance ; the copper alloys which has better mechanical wear and corrosion resistancernwith moderately low cost, are developed. The mechanical properties and electrical conductivitiesrnof the prepared copper alloys were investigated by using lab testing machines. Wear tests werernconducted by a pin- on-disc Tribometer which simulated the tribological conditions of slidingrncontact strip on overhead wires in the railway system. The copper-alloys in the form ofrncylindrical pins were forced to slide against a stainless steel disc with a sliding velocity of 80rnkm/h at room temperature under unlubricated condition and normal load up to 11N withoutrnelectric current. In addition to this, the electrical conductivity of the copper alloys wererninvestigated by multimeter . Among the alloys investigated, CuNiCr, which possesses quiterngood electrical conductivity and relatively high wear resistance (2 times that of Cu Ag)rn.Also in order to simulate costal and acidic environment, corrosion test is conducted in acid rain,rnsalt solution and in distilled water. The corrosion from the specimens was studied by weight lossrnmeasured by analytical balance among the copper alloys Cu Ag is highly corroded and wornrnsurfaces of the copper alloys pin were analyzed by optical microscope from these parallel andrncontinuous scratches in the direction of motion observed. From this experimental investigationrnthe dominated wear mechanisms are abrasive and adhesive wear in mechanical sliding frictionalrnprocess. Finally the cost analysis of copper alloys per each pin performed and Cu- Ni -Cr takesrnless cost from others. By considering wear resistance, corrosion resistance, electricalrnconductivity and cost, Cu Ni Cr is appropriate for Addis Ababa light rail train and future nationalrnrailway overhead line contact wire.