Ideal/Harris Cast Iron Floor Train: Loco with "150" Tender & Passenger Coach Car

Description

These two little cast iron trains look great together, even though they were produced by different manufacturers. According to
Ralston's
Cast Iron Floor Trains
, t
he 2-2-0 locomotive with tender "150" shown here is cataloged as
No. 627 and attributed to Ideal, while the open-platform 4-wheel coach (No. 1282) is attributed to Harris.
Combined sets like this one were probably common when these trains were produced 120 years ago, because manufacturers shared patterns and parts in those days, and I reckon kids have always lobbied parents to replace lost and broken pieces.
As for combinations, this is a good one: The nickel-plated finishes on the locomotive and coach aren't identical, but they match well. Likewise, the wheels match well and the overall sizes match well.
The differences are minor: The rivet heads on the loco's pilot and trailing wheels are slightly larger than those on the coach and its coupler is shaped differently. It also sits
a bit lower
.
This nifty little set is only 10-1/2" long. The nickel plating is excellent on both pieces, although the floor of the tender shows rust.
The only condition issue is that the two loco castings are slightly loose and have slightly separated at the front. In my opinion, this is a factory flaw that adds to the loco's story, because there's no rivet in the boiler to hold the castings together.
Carefully examine the photos, consider them part of the description, and use them to judge this set's condition for yourself.
Please check my other auctions for more ca. 1900 cast iron trains. Combined shipping can a sometime reduce the cost.
Feel free to ask questions before you bid.
Thanks for looking!