39710- a review of a 20 year old ICE

Well I got this train set from Germany, second-hand, 20 years old.
It is my first ICE train.
Now I have seen these in action in Germany and I have travelled in them.
Excellent efficient trains I must say.

But when it came time to buy a model I have hesitated for two reasons.
1. As a model, a bit like in real, they are so sleek, smooth, fast and seem effortless that there is nothing else to impress. By contrast there is something impressive about a steam engine struggling up a grade.
2. My layout with modelled legacy infrastructure does not have the routing built especially for these ICE.

Anyway this model (39710) is apparently a bit special so I decided to buy it.
Produced in year 2000, it was ostensibly only produced as a run of 2,000.
It has a C-sine motor.
And it was originally put together by Siemens and Adtranz as an experimental train to prove certain advances in technology.
(I am guessing that it used the existing ICE trains as a basis).
So the train was ever only 5 cars, but has 5 pantographs so that interested me.
The whole train is powered for lights so all couplings are current conducting.

To test the model I put the power car on the track (the other end is a driving trailer)
I scrolled through the MS1 (still works perfectly) database looking for model 39710.
There it is, all good - select.
The engine makes a click noise, but does not budge.
So I removed the body and checked the circuit board from the user manual noting at the same time how compact the motor is.
Yes - correct DIP switches set.
Tweaked the maximum speed and acceleration pots while power was on, and still nothing.
Hooking up one of the carriages made no difference.

So I opened the driving trailer and noted there was more circuitry and some mechanical device on one axle which is probably a switch for direction of travel lighting.
This made me realise that with the two end units hooked together, it may run.
This I did, and it ran so beautifully it really does replicate the real thing..
There was nothing in the user manual to say that the whole train or at least the two end units must be coupled for it to work.


I realise now why these models appeal.
My wife tells me I am easily impressed and OK I get that but yes this model is great.

Kimball

It has two powered end cars of class 410.1, much like those used by ICE 1 and ICE 2.
And the three cars in the middle are prototypes for the new ICE 3 train with propulsion distributed all over the train.
I see five pantographs.

The train now has 3 cars only, the car in the middle is not powered.
I run a three-piece consist with an ICE 2 coach in the middle. I didn't add the extra bits on the roof, like lamps and cameras, to correctly replicate the three-piece version. This could be a future project.

The real thing:

Hello all,
The ICE trains are a bit of a mystery for me (both model and real), so thanks to all for filling in some of the blanks to my knowledge.
And I will definitely follow up on the article links on the internet to further my understanding.

Yes I have the certificate which came with the set and it states 1810 of 2000. and the Insider member name.
The number 1810 also shows on the left end of the box lid (if box picture upright).
Maybe Märklin issued the certificate only for the first 2,000 produced.
In which case the production above 2,000 did not get a certificate.

My grand-daughter just travelled from Frankfurt to Aarhus (Denmark) changing at Hamburg.
She did not tell me which ICE type she travelled in, but she did say that the DB were very basic compared to the DSB where the seating is generous.
(The DSB Lyntog were made in Randers, Denmark in 1989).
I think the Danish loading gauge may be larger than that of Germany probably because there were never any tunnels in Denmark prior to about 2000.

DBAG ICE


DSB Lyntog (Lightning Train)


Kimball

I just ordered a set! Had to have one after finding out about this set through this review. I find the whole story behind it fascinating, besides, it was made right on my birth year
Like I said earlier, I have never been much into ICEs but this set truly seems special. I have also recently sold 2 Roco locos so this can act as a replacement for them:)

Here's a cutout from the 1999 Märklin catalogue, if anyone is interested!




That was a good tool to use, thank you! I checked the previously sold items and the price seemed very reasonable, plus the seller had 100% positive reviews!