Well, guess what? I put this engine on a track powered by the ZW-L and the firing mechanism consistently works without a hitch. The amp meter on the transformer jumps up to about 1 amp when the firing coil is energized but I can't see that's excessive. Admittedly the track is an isolated section with power from the A-U terminals but it's several feet long. I think that this narrows down the issue to the power necessary to get the mechanism to trigger and I don't think I have anything to gain by opening up the engine to try to fine tune the mechanism. I can create a siding when I want to "launch" an assault on some target for the benefit of my visitors.
The engine still runs like a dog with no real slow speed control and it derails all too easily. But I guess with the Pullmor motor and the mounting of it on the front truck that's just the nature of the beast.
Thanks again to everyone who responded.
