Edgar, A coal tipple is the huge hopper that coal is stored in until loading on to trucks or rail cars, also coal processing/wash plants are referred to as tipples. Jonah At 01:18 AM 01/27/1999 -0500, Edgar A. Howard wrote: >All, > > Some have ask what a coal tipple is. Someone was injured on >one. I'm sure someone can give us more detail. Coal is a big part of >the history of SW VA. In the "Back Counties" as my father called >them. > >> A tipple performs several functions, the essential features are that >> coal is brought in on one conveyance at a higher level, dumped into >the >> tipple where it may be only stored, or may be processed, and then is >> dumped at a lower lever into another conveyance. A tipple for steam >> engine use consisted of a side track with entry high on a hill. A train >> would back a coal car onto the side track and park it there. The side >> track would gain altitude toward its distal end and be high enough >that >> another steam engine could back its coal tender under it. The dump >> doors under the coal car on top would be opened and dump coal >through >> the track on top of the tipple into the coal tender. A mining tipple >> serves to receive the coal from the mine and dump it into coal cars. > >-eddie > > >==== SW_VA Mailing List ==== >#6 HELP is available from the sysop/owner anytime at: > ehoward@conknet.com or swvaroot@swva.net >