Does denatured alcohol+Emery Cloth=Fire?

I doubt that will be the issue.  But emery cloth,even double fine (FF) is still pretty scratchy, and that can kill old tinplate track at least.  I'd avoid it.  

I have cleaned even really dirty track with a Brightboy track eraser or abrasive non-metallic scouring pads and alcohol plus elbow grease.  In really bad situations where there is trace rust, I use #1000, 1200 or even 1500 wet-dry sandpaper (so smooth it feels like normal paper).  It is much finer than emery cloth and won't scratch.   why not use a track cleaning bright boy, or one of these dudes instead. ( If that won't gentley remove the rust, I figure the track is done for and just pitch it).

I use ScotchBrite pads for track cleaning, I've never needed anything stronger.  For a first pass, Isopropyl Alcohol on a rag gets all the grease and dirt off as a rule.  I put the ScotchBrite pad on the Trackman 2000 track cleaner.

Won't the emery cloth remove the tin plating in the process?

Any and all abrasives with do that in varying degrees dependent upon the coarseness of the material being used.

Rust would imply that the tin plating has already failed and been compromised anyway....

if you do not want the track why not sell it forum sponsor tinman3rail

Easy way to clean rust off of the top of the rails is to make a layout with it and run the train on it.  If it has some places that are rusty enough that the E unit drops out, set the E unit for forward only until the rust is polished off enough that the E unit doesn't drop out any more.  Then keep running the train until there is a very narrow shiny stripe on the top of each rail.  You don't have to clean all the rust off of the track to make it usable.  I would rather run the trains than polish track by hand.

Servoguy is correct; running your layout/track is the best way to keep it serviceable.

All most regularly run track needs by way of cleaning is an occasional wipe-down with a

rag/sponge and mineral spirits. Not alcohol; too much like water.

Mineral spirits is petroleum, and our little trains live in a petroleum-lubricated world.

Rust is inhibited by petroleum, not alcohol.

If the track is so rusty/dirty that it needs a jump start, just use a Fine sponge sanding block from the hardware store.

Forget the Emery cloth. 

Be careful with Denatured alcohol. Wear some thick rubber gloves and work outside.

?????

denatured alcohol msds

 some household cleaners are much worse.

floor cleaner and toilet bowl cleaner to name a couple.

Thank you for your replies.  I am not dealing with rust, just track that is a bit dirty and needs a good cleaning.  I get the vibe that a scotch brite pad and some mineral spirits is a better way to go than emery cloth.