Greg, I would suggest..........

............blasting the paint off in a media blasting cabinet using either glass beads or aluminum oxide powder.  I think the CA will hold up to the blasting.  Maybe a friend has one.  The other thought is some of those "green" paint removers like "Chameleon" (no longer made)or Testors ELO.  Research any non flammable stripper and it ought not attack the CA.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1273806

Good luck,

Peter

CA ok

Nothing will really touch the CA.

I use baking soda in my sand blast cabinet ......it works good for removing paint from just about anything.........I can run anywhere from 40 to 80 psi without any issues.

CA can be disolved with...

...Acetone, no problem.  I have done it many times.  However, be very certain the Acetone does not come in contact with plastic of any type - it will melt the plastic.  The Acetone may work slowly on old CA and will evaporate quickly,  So, be patient with it.  It won't harm good paper towels nor Q-tips, but, keep plenty of fresh air flowing.  You, also, should wear protective gloves and keep your head back from the vapors. Good idea to use safety goggles as well.

Lacquer thinner will melt plastic, also.  It will remove oil based paint or from metal and/or glass surfaces as will Acetone.

If you are concerned about reactions between CA and Lacquer thinner look for "material safety data sheets" on the net and follow them religiously. (no pun intended)

Use my above safety tips for Lacquer thinner, as well.

Let me know how you make out.

G.T.

G.T., I don't think the goal is to remove the CA...

The goal seems to be to remove the old paint but leave the CA (which is holding the loco together) intact, unharmed.  For those of us who are soldering-challenged, CA seems a useful alternative.  You just want to be able to work with paints and paint removers that won't undo all your work or weaken joints enough that you loco may shed parts as it makes its way around the layout...

Brake Fluid?

Last time i stripped a white metal model I used brake fluid. Is this no longer used? Seems like it might attack CA less than lacquer thinner.

DrJolS

An older method to remove...

...paint (oil based) was to use brake fluid.  I know of some modelers who still use it because it won't harm plastic.

Test a small area, first with a Q-tip  to see if the paint will soften up.  If it does, that may be a better method.

Again, check out the "material safety data sheets" when doubt.

G. T. 

I have a Paasche Air Eraser

I may try my Paasche Air Eraser, but the last time I tried it seemed to take forever to get some paint off. Maybe a cheap sandblaster kit from Princess Auto might work better. I have a fairly hefty air compressor.