It is 35 miles 45 chains (57.2 km) down the line from London Liverpool Street, and is situated between Stansted Mountfitchet and Newport stations.

Elsenham station was opened in 1845 and retains its original layout with staggered platforms on either side of a level crossing.

[2] Previous risk assessments carried out by Network Rail in 2002 had identified potential dangers with the crossing and recommended the installation of gates that would lock automatically as trains approached, but this was not acted upon.

In 2012, Network Rail was prosecuted for breaching health and safety laws and fined £1 million for the accident.

[3] Since the accident, Network Rail responded to requests from the girls' families and erected a footbridge and installed locking gates at the foot crossing in 2007.