It is 46 miles 49 chains (75.02 km) down the line from London Liverpool Street and, on the GEML, is situated between Kelvedon to the west and Colchester to the east.

[1] The opening of the Colne Valley and Halstead Railway off the Sudbury branch in 1860, and the extension of the branch beyond Sudbury via the Stour Valley Railway in 1865 to Cambridge, added importance to Marks Tey as a junction, allowing through-trains from Colchester.

These passenger services were gradually cut back and the closure of the Sudbury to Cambridge link in March 1967 saw the end of through running.

The typical off-peak service along the Great Eastern Main Line is two trains per hour to London Liverpool Street, one to Ipswich and one to Colchester Town.

[6] During peak times, service frequencies may be increased and calling patterns varied including direct trains to Clacton on Sea.