Red Comet

Typically the set as sold would have similar cars, ie: 600/601/602 versus 2600/2601/2602.  Keep in mind there were 600's with the early simple latch type couplers and then later the manual box couplers and then later  electric box couplers(2600).

Just to be clear, the cataloged red comet sets came with 603/604 cars, not 600/601/602.  I do think there was at least one uncataloged set with the red 264E and 600/601/602 cars, but someone else can verify.  I think I have seen claims that the Red 264E was also sold with the Red with silver roof 610/612 cars as well (uncataloged).  Certainly the 264e looks good with all those car series, but only the 603/604 were actually cataloged sets as far as I can tell.

Below is the 1935 version with the smaller 261t tender.

I think you have to move up a member level to have access to PM etc.  Slight cost but worth it.

Mine is 2600, 601 and 602 with box couplers.  Yes, the 2600 is electric couplers - looks good, but bulky magnet coupler - never saw anything like it.  This probably was a made up set, though it looks good.  Unless there is another perspective.  I guess I can check Doyle's also.    Thanks.

Manual box started in 1936 or so and the electric versions in 1938. You can see that in the catalogs.  Which tender does your 264e have with it? The small one, or the larger waffle top? Keep in mind, they never put either of the box couplers on the smaller 603/604 cars. That, and the Red 264E was only cataloged in 1935-36. The common theme of department store specials and or using up obsolete stock very well may apply. 

The tender is waffle type.  So you are saying, it may have been a set made up at a local department store or hardware store, or even more recently by the former owner.  Interesting.  I bought it recently from an antique (so called) store...I like it anyway.  By the way, where does one find the matching cars that went with engines - in other words, included in sets?

Ahh, that's easy,  you just figure out which cars (numbers) and learn the variations of those cars and then you just look for em , maybe find em at hobby shops, antique stores, auctions, ebay, the forum, etc.

The 600/2600 cars came with mixed couplers from time to time. Especially in 1936.  I have a Gunmetal 265E/265w set that has blue/silver 600's.  The pullman has box couplers, the other 2 cars have latch couplers... the tender is box coupler.  This set is from the original owners, and I have the whole story behind the piece. the 603/604/607/608  cars were never cataloged with the box coupler, as Dennis states correctly. If your cars are 2600 series then you have a put tether train, not a "set" per se. Run them and enjoy them !!