Tipple? Pedantics?

Ok - I was going to hold my tongue, but I can't any longer. As you all know, it is something I am not too good at (re: GTL...)

First, let me say that I well remember that ore bin and many other great old mininng structures from my mountain prowling and trips on the NG back in the 50's and 60's. It is terrible to see them swept away, usually because of some idiot's desire to see something destroyed.

Second: As a retired underground miner and amateur mining historian, it galls me to hear the structure called a "Tipple." Tipple is a coal-mining term, used mainly in the east. Out here in the Hardrock mining west, they are not tipples but normally "ore bins" or sometimes "rock houses." The Model Railroad and Railfan communities seem to be trying to perpetuate this misnomer. I wrote into Railfan and Railroad magazine in the 80's concerning said misuse and my epistle was published.

Does it matter? I don't know ..... just seems that we should use the proper terminology, just as we should when discussing steam locomotives, etc.

Skip Luke
Switchman (ret): Grand Canyon Railway;
Engineer (ret): Georgetown Loop RR Inc., Sumpter Valley Ry., Monticello & Sangamon Valley;
Dispatcher(ret): Illinois Central, White Pass & Yukon, Burlington Northern Ry.
Mariner, Musician, Miner