Stock supply train having reciprocating traction chain drive

A stock supply train system for delivery of materials to a work station, the supply train system comprising:

• a railway train and a railway having a predefined path for back and forth movement of the railway train on the railway, the railway having a length of railway track including a pair of spaced, parallel rails forming the track on which the railway train rolls, wherein the railway train includes opposite, first and second ends with a flat-bed carriage supported on railway wheels on each rail of the railway track, and at least one railway car,
• a stationary chain drive located on a support bed between the rails, the chain drive having a drive mechanism and a feed chain that engages the drive mechanism at the chain drive, the feed chain extending in opposite directions from the chain drive under the railway car carriage of each car with ends directly connected to the opposite, first and second ends of the railway train without intermediate idler rollers, the feed chain engaging the drive mechanism of chain drive between the ends, wherein the feed chain is suspended between the drive mechanism and the ends of the railway train, and wherein the chain drive is positioned midway on the predefined path and has control means for selectively operating the chain drive in a forward and reverse direction for reciprocal displacement of the railway train on the track, wherein the train is selectively positionable at the stationary chain drive at any positioned between the ends of the train.