Thanks for all of the suggestions.
Well, I think I'm inclined to go the power washer route...later in warmer weather (23 degrees F outside today!). Since starting this thread I've further disassembled the locomotive, thoroughly cleaned the loose parts...pilot/trailing trucks, smoke unit (excellent original pill heater element...works!) and puffer, drive/main rods, E-unit, boiler, etc..
As for the remaining motor/driver block, I removed and cleaned the two motor armature plates, but the armature itself won't come out unless two sets of drivers are removed...and that's not gonna happen w/o proper tools. So, I believe the remaining block assembly...drivers, frame, field coils, loose armature assembly, center rollers/plate...is ready for power washing.
My plan is to first liberally spray the assembly with degreaser, let it stand for a while, then starting with the lowest power washer setting, increasing as necessary, aim the wand downward through the assembly. I plan to use plastic tie-wraps to hold the block to a screen-top table while power washing to keep the motor block from flying across the driveway/lawn. If I'm lucky to have a nice warm sunny day, I'll let nature dry her out. If not, I'll use the oven @150 degrees.
I'm encouraged this beastie will again race the rails. I'm pretty sure I found the main reason it was too stubborn to run: Wool fibers had jammed one of the two brushes so that it wouldn't freely make contact with the commutator. The brush spring just didn't have enough oomph to overcome the wedged woolies! Like I said, someone had really done a deed on this poor engine!!
I think it's going to work well...I'll let y'all know.
Later.
KD
Dave: Crossed my mind when first I saw the mess! But, after a lifetime in the hobby, it's not in me to relegate these things to a landfill.
