A conveyor installation for the transportation of articles along a predefined path includes a running rail, at least one running carriage which is freely movable along the running rail, and a driven engagement device which extends at least in sections along the running rail and which includes a multiplicity of engagement elements movable along the running rail. Reliable and quiet operation is achieved in that the engagement elements are movable back and forth between two stable positions, wherein, in the first stable position, the engagement elements can be moved relative to the at least one running carriage past the running carriage without entering into engagement with the running carriage (non-engagement position), and wherein, in the second stable position, the engagement elements, during a movement relative to the at least one running carriage past the running carriage, compulsorily enter into engagement with the at least one running carriage (engagement position).