Thanks to Bernard....

[scott]

...and his detailed "how-to" photographs, I was able to take Anders's Christmas-present 500 apart, find the problem (a drive shaft that wasn't properly connected to the motor) and restore it to normal operation. The train had stopped working on Christmas day, which was a bummer, and the kid's happy to have it going again. 

[Bernard]

:color: (That's supposed to be blushing) Scott - Thanks for the compliment but you would have figured it out. It's a little tricky at first until you realize that there is an under-plate to the Shinkansen's chassies. I'm glad you were able to fix it without a problem and that Anders was able to run it soon after. The 500 is a great train, he'll enjoy it.

[scott]

I don't think I would have figured  out how to get the white seat/wiring plate off the motor on my own--which is why I stopped before I broke something...