On Thursday 29th January 2004, the Purbeck Mineral & Mining Museum Project Group received full planning permission to develop the museum on the Norden Park and Ride site. The Planning Board of Purbeck District Council voted unanimously for approval. 

The group has also been given the opportunity to display the Furzebrook Railway locomotive Secundus, the engine a Bellis and Seeking 0-6-0WT of 1885 from the Birmingham Museum of Science and Industry. This is conditional on the group providing secure and dry storage, and on 22nd January 2004 Secundus was transported from Birmingham back to Purbeck, and is now displayed in the Corfe Goods Shed Museum until suitable accommodation can be provided at Norden. See (SR report 1) and (SR report 2)

The group are relocating the redundant ECC Norden No 7 mine (drift type) complete with operational winch gear and a rake of underground tubs, from its original position on the west of the A351 to the bank on the north side of Norden Station. This will provide a central focus for the Mineral Museum. This mine building would incorporate an educational/visitor centre and would compliment the outdoor exhibits. It will also be the entrance to the "Underground Experience" where members of the public will be able to experience the underground conditions.

Equipment on free loan from High Level Platforms helping with the heritage construction. © John Rowley

The old Foreman's Office (circa 1920) has been rebuilt and is now alongside the approach footpath to Norden Station together with a Furzebrook Wagon which is believed to have been built in Purbeck in 1865 and 2 original Norden V-Skips. These are 2 of the four ex Norden skips returned from an North Dorset orchard.   The Foreman's Office holds a display of items, models and photographs of the Purbeck Ball Clay Mining and is OPEN most Sundays and occasionally during the week. This is dependant on volunteers being available.  

The Foreman's Office and Pikes Wagon © John Rowley
                
A short term aim of the group was the creation of a clay mining trailway using the existing footpaths around the site. A provisional trailway was successfully installed in 2004. It was regrettably closed after a few months due to dangerous steps on the route. These have been replaced with a slope from the platform leading to a picnic area. Now this is complete the trailway has been reopened. The trail starts at the PDC administration building with information boards along the trail and takes about half an hour to complete. 

The group are currently undertaking regular working parties and to date have made good progress at Norden on completing the foundations, drainage and utilities for the Transhipment shed and now the reconstruction of the building is now well underway with sheeting added to the building. Steelwork is being altered to create a safe public viewing area of the winching operations. When this is complete, the rest of the building will be erected. The sides of the ramp are being lined with timber.

A couple of ex-Norden V-skips and a substantial amount of ex-Norden rail have returned from the Seaton Tramway. Four other ex Norden V-Skips have returned from a North Dorset Orchard.

A Ruston 48DL Diesel locomotive has been purchased as the groups first operational locomotive. It is has under gone a thorough overhaul and is awaiting short term storage space at Herston until the Railway facilities have been installed. Please look at the appeal page for more information.

A stock of 35lb rail has been secured and is in store ready for laying when the buildings are complete.

Progress on researching the National Archives and local history centres for Purbeck clay mining activities has been continuing in the background and has discovered many interesting facts. One recent discovery is that the 2 brothers that brought the first Steam locomotive and Secundus to Purbeck are lying side by side in Church Knowle Graveyard, less than a couple of miles away from both the Museum and Secundus.