Damp rag

I would start with a damp, soft rag, don't scrub.  To me it looks like they are all stock lettering with the possible exception of the CNW and the MDT car (which may be cardstock or metal sides on a wood frame.)  If there is stubborn dirt use a damp/wet cotton swap and gently clean the cars, not scrbbing.  Do NOT use alcohol or strong cleaners.  Do NOT soak the cars unless you know they are 100% plastic  and don't have metal parts (axles, couplers, grabs.)  Do NOT use hot water.

also..

The yellow CX "Colorado & Southern" may be wood also,..

The rest look 'vintage Athearn' to me..

If it's just 'clingy dust', compressed air is an option as well.

dust

A  good brushing with a soft brush first will help to keep grime from washing into awkward corners.

....

If it looks naturally dirty, it's called Weathering and you don't remove it.  You run it dirty.

The Colorado and Southern and

The Colorado and Southern and Chigago and Northwestern 400 , appear to be paper side cars. The rest look like plastic Athearn/Roundhouse blue box cars , The plastic ones I would just run a vac with a brush ..or rinse and scrub with a 1-2" paint brush. You could also just blast them with compressed air or keyboard duster can.

The plastic ones you can't really hurt as long as you don't use a solvent or alcohol . 

just leave as is. looks more

just leave as is. looks more like the real thing.

but great score. most everybody here wishes they could be so lucky.

Yea I agree, I did lightly

Yea I agree, I did lightly brush off the real loose dirt

A few more

I picked these up a day after I bought the others, same thrift store. I passed on them when I bought the others in other pictures. Cost me another 12.00. 

Those are some bargain runners

For essentially the price of the Kadee couplers on all those cars, you've scored yourself quite a few runners to fill out your fleet.  I've been satisfied with Athearn blue box cars.  Have a couple other ones, including a couple semi-craftsman kits for rolling stock, but the vast majority of mine are Athearn with Kadees.

Janet N.

Yea, I think I have enough

Yea, I think I have enough now, but if I see more.....you know how that goes.lol

For the most part they seem

For the most part they seem reasonably healthy....no X2F infections.