Arcade/Ideal Cast Iron Floor Train: Loco w/ "150" Tender + 2 Passenger Coaches

Description

Sets like this one were a dime a dozen when they were first produced, more than one hundred years ago. These little cast iron trains
sold for pennies and were
offered by many manufacturers
.
This set, for example, was produced by both Arcade and Ideal, according to Ralston's
Cast Iron Floor Trains,
where the locomotive with tender "150" is catalogued as No. 629 and the open platform 4-wheel coaches as No. 1284.
Two things make this otherwise common set special.
1. It's complete and original.
These three pieces have been together since day one. You can tell by comparing their undersides (last photo) — they match perfectly.
2. This set's patinated finish beautifully shows its age:
When it was new, this cast iron train gleamed bright silver. Now, much of its original nickel-plated finish has worn off due to playful use and exposure to light and air, and the unprotected iron surfaces have turned an attractive deep gray color. Such evidence of genuine, natural aging is, for me, the main reason this set stands out.
Carefully examine the photos, consider them part of the description, and use them to judge this
charming little cast iron train
's condition for yourself.
Feel free to ask questions before you bid, and please check my other auctions for more hard-to-find cast iron floor trains. .
Thanks for looking!