Just get a can of carb cleaner or MAF cleaner from the auto store and blast the **** out of it - the stuff comes out with good velocity and should carry away the particles. Do it over a large foil pan or in an old pot, but use eye protection. It will degrease the whole loco and probably powerful enough to blow out the steel wool. The solvents will dry out in a short while. Then relube everything.
I would not use water on it.
