An overhead material handling system and methods for its use are provided, where the system includes: (a) a compactor and (b) a leveler in communication with the compactor, where the leveler comprises (i) a cover, (ii) a trough, and (iii) a trigger, where the trough has a first end and a second end and the trough is rotatably-mounted between a first end of the cover and a second end of the cover.

A platform unit usable to support and move an item, comprising a base; a conveyor mounted to the base and operative for moving the item parallel to the base, the conveyor being pivotable about a pivot axis extending substantially perpendicular to the base; and a controller for selectively activating the conveyor and for selectively pivoting the conveyor about the pivot axis. Also, a storage system including many of the platform units.

A platform unit usable to support and move an item, comprising a base; a conveyor mounted to the base and operative for moving the item parallel to the base, the conveyor being pivotable about a pivot axis extending substantially perpendicular to the base; and a controller for selectively activating the conveyor and for selectively pivoting the conveyor about the pivot axis. Also, a storage system including many of the platform units.

A bulk material loading wagon (1) for incorporation into a loading train consisting of several such wagons has a storage box (3) for storing bulk material, the storage box being open at the top and fastened to a wagon frame (2), andassociated with the storage boxa bottom conveyor belt (5) extending in the lower region of the storage box (3) and in the longitudinal direction of the wagon. The wagon frame (2) is equipped with an opening (16), arranged between two adjacent on-track undercarriages (14), for passage of a lower section adjoining the lower deflection end (9)of a transfer conveyor belt (8). A drive (18) is provided for displacement of the transfer conveyor belt (8) in its conveying- or longitudinal direction (4) through the opening (18) relative to the wagon frame (2).

In the course of rehabilitation of a ballast bed of a track, while creating a track construction site (10), old bulk material (6) to be removed is stored on a plurality of storage wagons (2) connected to form a loading train (7). Parallel thereto, new bulk material (9) pre-deposited on a plurality of storage wagons (2) connected to form a loading train (8) is introduced into the track construction site (10). The introduction of the new bulk material (9) into the track construction site (10) is controlled automatically in dependence on a volume of the old bulk material (6) removed from the track construction site (10)

In the course of rehabilitation of a ballast bed of a track, while creating a track construction site (10), old bulk material (6) to be removed is stored on a plurality of storage wagons (2) connected to form a loading train (7). Parallel thereto, new bulk material (9) pre-deposited on a plurality of storage wagons (2) connected to form a loading train (8) is introduced into the track construction site (10). The introduction of the new bulk material (9) into the track construction site (10) is controlled automatically in dependence on a volume of the old bulk material (6) removed from the track construction site (10)