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The Purbeck Mineral & Mining Museum
Progress Photographs

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Foreman's Office

Foreman's Office when donated to PMMMGThis was the condition of the building before it was moved in May 2004  New timber scarfted into existing and new mortise joints  Mines Office under restoration by "the team" 2004 Restoration nearing completion - May 2005 Security Sheild installed over front window - May 2005 Interior almost complete - May 2005 Site of Foreman's Office (or new pond) 21st April 2005The Foreman's Office hangs in midair, below and behind is the new Museum hack. 25th August 2005 Foreman's Office safely on the deck. 25th August 2005 It is here at last - Copyright Andrew P M Wright 4th September 2005 Forman's Office open for display. 11th September 2005  Eldon sidings at Steam Gala Open Days. 11th September 2005 Temporary power has arrived. 19th November 2005 Fitting the final "cut down garage door" security shield - 2nd July 2006A 3 year old playing with the model railway and learning what Norden looked like in 1960's. 2nd June 2008 A glimpse of the Model of the "Norden in the 1960's" built by Peter Hollins.  Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery - John Thorne has included the Foreman's Office in his model "Purbeck" A newley erected telephone pole (based on the model) bringing a line to the office. 24th September 2009 Almost connected - Insulators made of Ball Clay. 24th September 2009
                                                                

Museum Entrance                    

  Click here for short movie

Main beams installed for Foot Bridge - May 2005 Footbridge under construction - June 2005David and Joshua adding side rails - June 2005 Bridge "Flat packed" ready for treatment at Timber Yard. June 2005Path building 10th July 2005Museum Entrance awaiting Foreman's Office July 2005Laying first Tramway panel 17th July 2005 Joshua - our young caver at work in the workshops 11th August 2005 Joshua - a wet carver poses next to his handywork 24th August 2005  The details of the carved signpost in position 24th August 2005 It has arrived !! 25th August 2005 And to join the Foreman's office, 140 year old No.28 wagon. 25th August 2005Testing the bridge after having moved it - Copyright Andrew PM Wright 4th September 2005 Yet another little task completed - Copyright Andrew P M Wright 4th September 2005   Wagons 11 & 16 back home at Norden 26th September 2005  Wagons 11 & 16 back home at Norden 26th September 2005 Primroses bloom to show spring is here at last 9th April 2006  Mine tubs moved to new display area and path tarmac up to bridge. 26th November 2006 Pathway low level lighting installed. 11th February 2007 "The Train now leaving" - last day of 2008. 31st December 2008 No visitors today - too cold, but work iside the transhipment shed continues. 7th January 2010

Clay Trailway

Temporary Clay Trailway installed May 2005      One of the trailway arrows - May 2005 Information board for Skew Arch Bridge - May 2005 Norden Works board on Scotland path - May 2005 Engine house board - May 2005 At last the slope at the end of platform is underconstruction. 10th May 2007 Sub base to the path being installed. 17th May 2007 The 1952 Pavement Roller in operation on the new permissive path to Corfe which will be part of the trailway. 3rd June 2007 For those of you who want to know more about the Roller. 3rd June 2007 The Team laying the top surface to the Permissive Path. 3rd June 2007  The start of the day's work on the new path. 10th June 2007 and the result - top soil laid alongside the path. 10th June 2007 Pailings being added to the posts and rails. 8th July 2007 Wonderful new fence. 8th July 2007Fencing finished 15th July 2007 The team with "Bonzo" - the 3 wheel tipping truck adding top surface. 22nd July 2007 The finished job with the sign post to be erected when path is opened. 22nd July 2007

Transhipment Building

Transipment shed before dismantlingRollering surface of new access road April 2005 Spreading surface for new access road April 2005 Speading surface on top of rubble - New access road April 2005 Smoothing the road with restored 1950's roller Excavator and first 2 supports for retataining wall - June 2005Excavated base for Transhipment Shed - June 2005 Steel inserted in 9ft deep hole full of concrete. Constructing the steelwork retaining the embankmentRetaining sleeper wall 1st August 2005Final wall panels being installed 7th August 2005 Who put that up there? 7th August 2005Bricks buried to show level to be excavated 10th August 2005 Transhipment shed site excavated awaiting hardcore. 13th August 2005 Speading 5 lorry loads of hardcore. 18th September 2005With the blinding in place the shape of the building can be seen. 2nd October 2005 Wagons Roll - Rolling the binding 9th October 2005Comencement of shuttering installation. 9th October 2005Reinforcing in place for Main Building Foundation 27th October 2005Reinforcing in place for Main Building Foundation 27th October 2005 Main Building Foundation awaiting concrete 27th October 2005 Concrete (3 lorry loads) arriving on site 28th October 2005 Moving the concrete from lorry to foundation via digger. 28th October 2005 Unloading concrete. 28th October 2005All hands to the pump. 28th October 2005Spreading the concrete. 28th October 2005Tamping the concrete 28th October 2005 Contruction of the dual gauge rail - 2ft and 2ft 8ins. 20th November 2005 Disc grinding and needle gunning the rails prior to welding. 20th November 2005Two basic carpenters doing Basic Carpentry. 20th November 2005"Now look here, this is where it should be" Positioning the dual gauge track in the foundation floor. 27th November 2005Disc cutting wheel channel angles 27th November 2005Welding the wheel channel angles in position 27th November 2005 Final work and tidying before final concrete to be poured on Friday (9th December) 4th December 2005 The rails (dual Gauge) for Secundus in position - 15th December 2005 Hand finishing the drain pipe trench - 18th December 2005Installing the stormwater pipe - 18th December 2005Overall shot of drainage work - 18th December 2005 A cold wet day using an electric lift to continue dismantling process. 8th January 2006Loosenig Nuts - 22nd January 2006 Loading the old skips onto Lorry - 22nd January 2006 The first steelwork arrives on site - 29th January 2006 General dismantling at Norden Mines. 5th February 2006 Next tower being lifted from Norden Mines. 5th February 2006 Then there were 2 towers - 6th February 2006 The front steelwork awaiting to be bolted on. 6th February 2006 Looking down the length of building - 6th February 2006 Overall view of site - 6th February 2006 Joining the 2 towers together. 12th February 2006 Moving Steelwork Bay into position - 5th March 2006 Bolting up and pouring drain culver concrete - 5th March 2006 Moving foundation spoil to allow space for ramp construction. 9th April 2006 Ramp steelwork arriving on site. 9th April 2006 Spring is in its full flush, and the mine building continues to make good progress. 23rd April 2006 Placing Cement into the Steelwork supporting pad hole -23rd April 2006 Digging the 5th of six steelwork supporting pad holes - 23rd April 2006 Mixing Cement for Steelwork supporting pads - 23rd April 2006 Final few shovel fulls go into a Steelwork supporting pad- 23rd April 2006 After chipping the rust off the protective paint is being applied to the Steelwork. - 25th April 2006 Winch being prepared for removal from the old mine building. 14th May 2006Winch being dragged out of Mine building on rails. 14th May 2006 Winch in the open. 14th May 2006 Winch, motor, & electrical supply cabinets moved out of Mine building. Building now ready for final lift.. 14th May 2006 Grave Diggers - When it is raining and you are shoveling sticky clay - smile. 21st May 2006 An extremely useful tool on free loan from High Level Platforms (Mr P. Ainsworth) 01929 555055. 21st May 2006 Breakout - Removing roof sheets to make a hole for lifting straps. 21st May 2006 The arrival of the last piece of Mine Building makes a big impact on Park & Ride. 22nd May 2006 Final 5 tons arrives on the end of 60 ton Crane from a 40ft lorry. 22nd May 2006The building is coming together bit by bit. 24th May 2006 From this view, it looks as if the building has always been here, instead of just 2 days. 24th May 2006 Measuring the floor beam for insert a small make up piece, prior to lifting into place. 2nd July 2006 Welding the insert to the floor beam. 2nd July 2006 SR Management review of progress. 23rd July 2006 Installing the wooden beams to take floor boards and Winch. 23rd July 2006 Splicing a beam that had been cut during transportation. 23rd July 2006 The floorboards arrive by trailer at the top level. Now the jigsaw problem to lay them as they were. 30th July 2006   The floor is laid (but not nailed) 20th August 2006 Lifting skip bay steelwork into position. 10th September 2006 Skip bay steelwork. 10th September 2006 Skip arrived on site. 10th September 2006. Wire brushing the skip for painting. 24th September 2006 Welding the ramp to the main steelwork. 24th September 2006Taking time out for Press Photos. 24th September 2006    Ramp feet protection walls being built. 12th November 2006 Ramp feet protection walls. 12th November 2006 Work continues on ramp feet protection walls. 26th November 2006 Utilites trench being dug. 7th January 2007 Utilities trench being dug by hand uphill by 3 hard working volunteers. 7th January 2007 Utilities trench being dug the easy way. 7th January 2007 Look what we have done - 2 side frames. 4th February 2007 Inserting the middle bar to framework. 4th February 2007 "It is difficult to see the wood from the trees" 11th February 2007 Bit by bit the jigsaw of the wood framing is being put together. 11th February 2007 Filling in the utilities trench. 18th February 2007 Two handed saw team work! 18th February 2007 Workshop for woodwork adjustments. 18th February 2007 Sorting the wood framing into shapes and lengths. 11th March 2007 The framework extends forever eastwards. 25th March 2007 The centre section of the building frame grows. 25th March 2007 Wood work continues. 22nd April 2007 Soil removed from around building to allow hardcore to be installed. 22nd April 2007 Land drain installation. 8th May 2007 Groundworks alongside ramp. 8th May 2007 Scalpings on the move after a very wet morning. 13th May 2007 Scalpings awaiting spreading and compacting. 13th May 2007 The new power distribution panel. 13th May 2007 Another land drain to catch the drips from the roof installed. 20th May 2007 All the sheeting was brought on site, sorted and stacked for easy access. 20th May 2007  Before the skip can be moved the underside has to be derusted (not many volunteers for that job) and painted. 3rd June 2007 The end result of 4 man days work. Ready to be moved and placed upright for further work. 10th June 2007 Any volunteers? Roof removed and repostioned on the ramp. 8th July 2007 Slope now has a roof. 15th July 2007 With some panels installed the Mine feeling is beginning to return to the building. 22nd July 2007 Workers taking a break to admire their work. Trench bottom followed a laser line. 22nd July 2007 Drain constuction to catch drips of the roof. 5th August 2007 Wheelbarrowing stone from dumper to drainage trench. 12th August 2007 Removing clag dug from trench. 12th August 2007 Finished drainage trench awaiting track to be laid on top. 12th August 2007.Drain for building downpipe installed. 9th September 2007 This is the start of something for the Railway Buffs. 9th Semptember 2007 Rail layout setting out. 30th September 2007 Levelling and setting out track bed. 7th October 2007 The first of the New sheeting is nailed into position. 13th November 2007 Nailing the first new sheet. 13th November 2007 As the sheeting goes on, the boss keeps watch. 13th November 2007 A row of sheeting completed. 13th November 2007 End wall installed 2nd December 2007A small wall with a roof installed. 2nd December 2007 The roof goes on. 9th December 2007 and in the other direction - more roof. 9th December 2007 The skeleton gets its skin. 9th December 2007 Equipment on loan from High Level Platforms allowing access to the high parts of the cladding. 7th January 2008 Ramp with its new cladding. 24th February 2008 Welding the new column extensions for public observation platform. 24th February 2008 The first fully repainted window frame is installed. 9th March 2008 My what a nice view! 9th March 2008 Preparing steelwork for welding. This will tie the new observation platform into the main building. 9th March 2008 Looking like a james bond movie, the second window hole being cut. 16th March 2008. 2nd window frame installed. 16th March 2008 Brackets under construction for new public observation platform. 8th June 2008 Winchman's Office under construction. 8th June 2008 Adding support brackets for New steelwork beams. 22nd June 2008 New uprights and diagonals and support pads installation complete and awaiting the new floor joists. 20th July 2008 Public Observation Platform Steelwork almost complete. 27th July 2008 View looking down on the steelwork of the Public Observation Platform. 27th July 2008 Winchman's Office. 27th July 2008 Inside of the Winchman's Office. 27th July 2008 The end wall uprights bolted into position. 3rd August 2008 The swallows second brood of 4 (8 total) to have been born in the Transhipment shed this year. 3rd August 2008 The joists are in and ready to accept the floorboards of the new observation platform. 10th August 2008 Floorboards added to new Public Observation Platform. 17th August 2008 Floor Steel Plates being lifted to operating floor. 31st August 2008 Floor Plates being manouvered into position. 31st August 2008The framework above the Public Observation Platform begins to appear. 14th September 2008 What is probably the last lift up to the building before it is sheeted. 21st September 2008 Observation Platform and Display Area frame work complete and ready for sheeting. 21st September 2008 More sheeting added. 12th October 2008  With the building lighting in service, unloading a lorry load of hardwood timber recovered from London at night is made easy. 9th November 2008 The impressive inside of the building, now weather proof. 23 November 2008 Increasing the height of the drainage pit. 26th March 2009 Finished pit. 26th March 2008 Skip being derusted and painted. 26th March 2009 The Artist at work! The switchgear panel receives a coat of paint. 10th February 2010

Click here for short movie of the installation of indoor track

Click here for short movie of the installation of storm water drains

Click here for short movie of the tipping of a steelwork bay

Click here for short movie of moving spoil
   

   Demonstration Narrow Gauge Railway

Laying loco ash on Terain - April 2005 Newly built embankment - April 2005 Regrading of embankment - April 2005 Sleepers stored in front of engine shed site - April 2005First Tramway panel lowered into position July 2005 Another ash wagon arrives 2nd October 2005   And is emptied. 2nd October 2005 Emptied here 2nd October 2005 and laid here 2nd October 2005 and here 2nd October 2005 Ex-Norden Wagon returns from Seaton Tramway "Holiday" - 24th March 2006 Spare set of wheels arrives from "holiday" on Seaton Tramway. - 24th March 2006 Ex Seaton (Ex Norden) rail and V-skips - 24th March 2006 Trackway clearance - 14th May 2006 Storage of Mine Tubs "Brooklands Style". 20 August 2007 Turnout waiting to be laid. 17th March 2008 Track panels waiting to be laid. 17th March 2008 The Sygnets at work cleaning the fishplates from 1000M of ex MOD track. 14th June 2008 Double bogie flat waggon - ex MOD. 10th August 2008 Ex MOD flat waggons. 10th August 2008 Track laying begins. 23rd November 2008 "All hands to the Shovel" 30th November 2008 Digging out the track bed. 30th November 2008 Drilling holes for spikes. 7th December 2008 © Andrew P M Wright Extended hours working. 7th December 2008 © Andrew P M Wright Bum warming. Frost on the sleepers stayed all day. 7th December 2008 © Andrew P M Wright Laying track. 28th December 2008 Gradually the track shape takes place. 28th December 2008 Ruston at the Gate. 28th December 2008 "A longway from Home" 28th December 2008 Ruston makes a break. 28th December 2008 "Let's get home before the light goes" 28th December 2008 The team laying, jacking and packing track. 11th January 2009 Copyright Andrew PM Wright. The Ruston (and Barry) checking the jacking and packing. 11th January 2009 Copyright Andrew PM Wright. Moving sleepers. 1st February 2009 copyright A.P.M.Wright The team enjoying a laugh before the lift in sub-zero temperatures. 1st February 2009 copyright A.P.M.Wright The lift. 1st February 2009 copyright A.P.M.Wright It was decided not to use the point in previous photo. 8th February 2009. Copyright A.P.M.Wright. Almost there, the track comes together. 22nd Febreuary 2009 Ruston streches it legs and recharges its battery. 22nd February 2009. copyright APMWright Jacking to get a perfect curve. 8th March 2009. Copyright APMWright The Ruston checking the jacking and packing. 8th Mar 2009. Copyright APM Wright Loading v-skip with Type1 crushed concrete. 29th March 2009 Tramwaying in the railway. 29th March 2009 Painter's Waggon - A good way to get equipment from one end of site to the other. 15th April 2009 The track has been buried with over a hundred tons of crushed concrete. 15th April 2009 Rolling in the top surface.3rd May 2009 Rolling the new site entrance slope. 3rd May 2009 Another lorry load of type 1 to be spread - Oh No! 17th May 2009 Spread and awaiting rolling. 17th May 2009 Banging in old rails to make a low sleeper wall. 17th May 2009 Sleeper wall awaiting concrete to set before completing. 17th May 2009 Sleeper wall progress. 24th May 2009 On the hottest day of the year so far, a hose pipe is a useful tool to keep cool. 24th May 2009 The new wall grows in length. 31st May 2009 Skip being loaded for journey to Purbeck School for refubishment. 19th July 2009

Click here for short movie of Ruston moving (don't forget to have the sound up)

Engine Shed

Surveying size of Engine shed. 9th October 2005 Excavating Engine Shed base. 9th October 2005 Another load of loco ash unloaded and transported to the pile adjacent to Engine shed foundations. 20th May 2007

General Site Maintenance

Removing Nettles from fence 7th August 2005Strimming Work 7th August 2005Waynes Gang helping to install "Crocodile teeth" to prevent damage to grass by vehicles 18th September 2005 Weeding and Strimming - 14th May 2006 Creating bench space - Norden Nest - Surveying ground before digging - 4th June 2006 Creating bench space - Norden Nest - PMMMG helping Waynes Gang. 4th June 2006 Creating bench space - Norden Nest - Job well done - Waynes Gang resting after a hot and hard days work. 4th June 2006

Mine

Ventilation Shaft cover awaiting restoration and instalation. 11th June 2008 Recovered mine steelwork and bells for restoration. 11th June 2008 Excavating the Mine entrance using the railway to remove spoil in the skip. 28th June 2009 Shovelling the tippped spoil to fill alongside trackway - note the shorts - it was hot! 28th June 2009 "Working at the face" Creating space for the bottom of the ramp. 19th July 2009 Wire brushed and primed RSJ for retaining wall construction. 12th August 2009 Mine entrance area dug out and first RSJ for retaining wall installed. 12th August 2009 The first stage of the wall complete. 23rd August 2009 A very temporary track for offloading spoil from Mine. 23rd August 2009 A watching crowd waiting to push skip load of spoil from trench digging to other end of railway. 6th September 2009 The result of a day's work the drainage trench for the start of the mine, has been dug and back filled. 6th September 2009 Foundation of transition shed ready for pouring of cement. 24th September 2009 And now the concrete is set. 28th September 2009 Further work on the foundation of the transition shed. 11th October 2009 Extending the ramp to ground level. 18th October 2009 A soil retaining wall constucted from recycled blocks. 18th October 2009 The Ramp reaches ground level. 25th October 2009 Emergency exit number one under construction. 25th October 2009 Framing of the lower ramp almost complete with back wall part installed. 27th November 2009 Progress of the ramp and the exit at the bottom. 17th December 2009 Generator to povide power for the winch and compressors arrived on site. 17th December 2009 Emergency exit number one being clad. 20th December 2009 The bottom of the ramp on way to completion with first tunnel section in place. 31st December 2009 View from inside ramp of first tunnel section. 31st December 2009 Tunnel Arches arrive from store. 21st February 2010

 


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