Just a general observation; the usual Romford wheel to use here was the 26mm, because the flange depth was greater on these and the best way to ensure clearance between the wheel flanges was to go down by 1mm diameter. The RP25 flanges on the Markits wheels being shallower meant that 27 mm became practical. The Royal Scot and all the other 3 cyl 4-6-0s also had 6'9" diam wheels incidentally, so the same criterion applies there. Only the Princess had 6'6" wheels for which 26 mm was the correct diameter.

Just as an aside, there were 3 issues I had when I built a batch of 3 DJH Duchesses.

1 The join between boiler and firebox had to be made very carefully to achieve a good visual appearance. The top of the firebox should slope very gently down toward the cab.

2 As supplied, the cab will sit too high in relation to the firebox, so some judicious fettling is necessary here to lower the cab. Check with photos.

These 2 issues I managed to sort to my satisfaction, the 3rd one I didn't!

3 As supplied the smokebox door sits too far forward by the thickness of the casting. The smokebox/boiler casting is the correct overall length, so when you solder/fix the smokebox door casting on the front of this, the whole assembly becomes about 1.5 mm too long. I didn't realise until it was too late, but I have decided to live with it!

Good luck with the valve gear; I confess to using brass plated steel pins to solder the gear together, rather than the rivets supplied.

Terry D

Terry

Thank you for such a detailed reply.  It has helped me to understand exactly what to order as I admit to being somewhat confused when I started to write down the order.  27mm Markits it will be, so three more insulated driving wheels are needed.  Your point about the various 6'9" drivers is well taken - I had begun to assume that the Coronation wheels may simply have been heavier than the others.

Your three extra points are also extremely valuable at this time.  I will be taking your experience and advice into account when the time comes.

Paul

Sounds like most DJH 4mm kits, I never found one that was the correct dimension.

I imagine that such dimension errors are quite common among all white metal kits regardless of kit maker.  My Comet Caprotti Five is stalled because when I mounted the boiler on the footplate the "gorilla" steam pipes were laterally offset by about 3mm.

By contrast my Connoisseur Gauge 0 brass etch kit went together with minimum fettling.  I am inclined to focus of brass etch kits for all new purchases.