Folks:
I don't know why I haven't thought of this before. Remember the MR "Kinks" feature? This is the perfect place to do something like that!
So if you have any cheap and maybe unique little ideas for the rest of us (similar to what the Kinks feature would have run, or to the ideas from "764 Hints"), post 'em here. I'll start off.
**-You can clean truck wheels easily by removing the truck, and running it down a piece of scrap track with a solvent-soaked Q-tip held against a wheel tread. Press firmly so the wheels don't slip. For very badly-gummed wheels use a wood or plastic scraper. This doesn't actually take three hands to do, just a bit of practice.
Cordially yours: Gerard P. President, a box of track, a wet basement, and some plans.