Cheap, easy to find solution to dirt!

[RR Redneck]

Tired of black wheel treads that are supposed to be shiny silver metal? Tired of nickel silver rail that looks like the lining of a tunnel in the early 1900s? If so, then run down to your nearest store, or raid your teenager's room or bathroom and swipe a few acne pads. They are non-corrosive, and non-abrasive textured pads soaked with alcohol and work wonders on dirty track and wheel sets and unlike abrasive track cleaning blocks, the dont screw up the weathering on turnout frogs.

[ezielinski]

I work in the healthcare industry, and obtain boxes of Isopropyl alcohol wipes from an "undisclosed location".  These wipes, like your "pimple pads" make quick work of cleaning locomotive wheels and turnouts.