It’s that time of the year when we start thinking about holiday gatherings, New Year’s resolutions and the 2012 Coal Heritage Commemorative Calendar.  “Tipples and Trains “is the theme of this year’s collectable. 

With a new look, the 2012 Coal Heritage Commemorative Calendar is the third edition of what has become a collector’s item.  Past calendars served as somewhat of a history lesson with each day displaying a history fact.  Only a few history facts have been peppered into each month allowing space to write in appointments and special dates like birthdays and anniversaries. The history facts are more theme based and focus on the tipples and railroad systems in the Southern coalfields.

 All the photographs in this year’s calendar are vintage pictures that came from the collections of the Norfolk Southern Archives and the Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society. The pictures date back to 1880 when tipples were made of wood and train engines ran on steam, to 1983 with the more modern processing plants and computer operated engines.

The commemorative calendar is just another way the Coal Heritage Authorities tries to embrace the rich history of the southern coalfields of West Virginia. “We have gotten calls from all over the country ordering calendars”, Christy Bailey, Executive Director of the Coal Heritage Authorities, said, people who lived in the state and had family members work in a mine or  those who grew up in a coal camp”.  “The pictures bring back a lot of memories for people” she added.

Calendars are the same price as last year. $14.95 each and are now on sale at the Bramwell Train Depot, The Little Brick House, Tamarack, or through the Coal Heritage Authority office. The calendars make a great Christmas gift and shipping is available. For more information contact the Coal Heritage Office at 304-465-3720 or toll free at 1-855-982-2625.