One of the “greatest” riddles with Märklin ICE 2 power car is how to add a front coupling. Unlike the ICE 2 driving trailer (dt. Steuerwagen) where the body shell could remove, add an adapter and put the shell back. There is a slot on the front that allows the side movements of the adapter. However, this is no possible with ICE 2 power car (dt. Triebkopf). The front is one piece metal chassis and there are no slot on the front.

ICE 2 driving trailer with special adapter for front coupling and slot for side movements.

ICE 2 power car with no slot for side movement or possibility of installing a front coupling.

There is a 2-part solution to solve this:

Part 1: Coupling Adapter from the Bottom

I removed the grey cover underside and fastened the special adapter from Ebay-Mobadapter. The adapter therefore appeared under the front compared to the proper slot on ICE 2 driving trailer.

As the position of the front coupling on ICE 2 power car is below the NEM height, it could couple with other rail vehicle with a correct NEM height (italics added)

You will notice that the front coupling on the ICE 2 power car bends upward to match the height on the Köf II. It would work but need to watch out during the running, if there is any possibility of decoupling.

Part 2: Special Merte-Adapter on the Towing Locomotive

If the ICE 2 power car is towed from the front, as it would be in my RailAdventure case, then the special Merte-Adapter, named after the designer Jens Merte, would be attached the towing locomotive as shown.

This was the front coupling on the ICE 2 power car stays level and does not bend to match the coupling height on the towing locomotive. This could work as a special coupling adapter (note: does not exist in real world RailAdventure). The adapter is just ca. 1mm or so above the rail and contact points especially on turnouts. So, you need to make sure that this special adapter remains straight and does not touch any rails or contact points (dt. Puko (Punktkontakt))

Updated on 22.02.24

I made an adjustment to the adapter but had a huge impact. Using a 0.5mm styrene shim, I placed it between the adapter and the screw. This shim acts to close the loose gap between them as well as making sure the adapter stays upright.

With their update, there is no need to use Merte-adapter anymore as the magnets will pull the couplers together.

Top: Before adding the styrene shim. Bottom: After.

Now, all the possible riddles have been solving and I am looking forward to testing them on full speed soon.