Abstract: A rail vehicle front end has a center buffer coupling with a free coupling end section such that the free coupling end section is connectable to a further center buffer coupling of a further rail vehicle front end. The center buffer coupling extends along a longitudinal axis in a rest position. The center buffer coupling is mounted in such a way that the free coupling end section can be pivoted with respect to the longitudinal axis. The rail vehicle front end has a front panel that radially surrounds the center buffer coupling at least in sections such that a front opening pointing substantially in the longitudinal direction is defined between the front panel and the center buffer coupling. A cover device for covering the front opening extending between a front panel and a center buffer coupling of a rail vehicle is also disclosed.