The present invention provides a rail conveyor system of the type having a rail track (9) including a delivery run (1) extending between a loading end (5) and a discharge end (6) and a return run (12) extending from the discharge end (6) to the loading end (5), a plurality of carriages (8) spaced apart from one another and arranged to run on wheels (24) supported by the track (9), and a continuous carry belt (10) supported by the carriages (8); wherein, at least at the discharge end (6), the carriages (8) are turned around to return to the loading end (5) by being entrained around only one or more vertical turnover wheels (7) arranged such that the carriages (7) are delivered to the return run (12) beneath the delivery run (1).