"Tipple operator" were the one's that controlled the separation of the coal and stone that came from inside the mine to the outside...The coal was dumped into the coal trains and the stone was taken to what they called the "stone dump"........My husband was a Car dropper for the years of 1970 to the 1980's until they turned to haulling coal by Big coal trucks and did away with trains......Car dropper was the guy who would ride the coal car's under the Tipple to be loaded......Then he would drop them down the line so the Engines would hook up to them and take them to there destination... Sarah from Georgetown area My husband still works the mines...Now in West Virginia.....No coal mines left in Harrison co,