English: Mystery Solved! For some time now, I've been puzzled by the new passing loop arrangement at Dovey Junction Station. As there was no sign of a new platform being built adjacent to the new loop, how would trains using the loop be able to stop at the station without reversing? Now, all has become clear to me. The concrete sleepers in view here are the base of the point that will connect the loop back into the running line. They are laid next to their final location which lies part way along the long platform at the station, so there will still be room for trains to come off the loop and stop at the platform. Easy!

Network Rail is taking possession of the line from Machynlleth to Aberystwyth over the Christmas period. Perhaps that will be when the loop is connected into the running line?

I'm no permanent way engineer, but a brief note about sleepers. Even on tracks that have mostly concrete sleepers, those under the points have tended to be timber, as that provides more flexibility in laying the complex point track-work. Environmental and durability considerations have probably combined to have Network Rail move towards the use of concrete for points. The sleepers would need to have been precision cast, no doubt at a very high cost!