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Francis Bourgeois (trainspotter)

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This article is about the trainspotter and social media personality. For the painter, see Francis Bourgeois.

Luke Magnus Nicolson[1][2][3][4] (born 8 July 2000), known by the moniker Francis Bourgeois, is an English trainspotter and social media personality. He is most known for his videos posted on Instagram and TikTok on the topic of trains.

Francis Bourgeois
Born
Luke Magnus Nicolson

(2000-07-08) 8 July 2000 (age 24)
Harlesden, North West London, England
EducationUniversity of Nottingham
Years active2020–present
Known forVideos about trainspotting

Bourgeois is often characterised as recording himself through the fisheye lens of a GoPro mounted in front of his face.[5][6] He is also known for his scootering skills, which he frequently incorporates into his videos and other public appearances.[7][8][9]

In October 2021, two of his videos went viral, the first featuring him at Gatwick Airport railway station reacting to a GB Class 73/9 locomotive and the name it was given.[10] Another features his reaction to the arrival of a British Rail Class 377 train travelling from Littlehampton to Southampton Central, during which he waves at the train driver and then proceeds to fall out of his chair. The video has garnered over six million views.[6][11] As of January 2022, he has over 2,600,000 TikTok followers and 1,300,000 Instagram followers.[12][13][14][6]

Early life

I started a new school in Year Seven, when my favourite thing to do after school was come home and play with my model railway, but I realised I was experiencing feelings of loneliness, so I decided to try and fit in a bit more at school. I gelled my hair up and decided to sell my model railway in order to fund my gym membership. I even wore roadman clothes, but it wasn't me and it wasn't making me happy at all. Lockdown happened, my hair grew out, and I reclaimed my love for trains through my videos.

— Francis Bourgeois addresses accusations of being inauthentic after photographs of his adolescence emerge. (December 2021)[15]

Bourgeois was born in Harlesden, North West London.[16][14][17] His mother works for the National Health Service and his father is a photography teacher. He also has one brother named Ben.[18][19][20]

He developed an interest in trains during his early childhood[6] and received a Hornby model railway set at the age of four.[21] In his youth, he frequently watched trains at Willesden Junction railway station[22] and drew from memory the trains he had seen there at home.[14][17] He moved to rural Frome, Somerset, when he was seven years old.[14][23] During his childhood, Bourgeois was mocked by peers for his hobby.[16][17]

When he entered secondary school at the age of 15, he suppressed his interest in trains as a means to better fit in and sold his railway set.[14] In his adolescence, his hobbies consisted of BMX, mountain biking, and going to the skate park. “Being a train enthusiast at secondary school is difficult,” he explained. “Gym memberships and trendy clothes took precedence at that point, regrettably."[24]

He studied mechanical engineering[25] at the University of Nottingham,[14][6] expressing a desire to pursue industrial engineering and "create new railways or revitalize older lines" as a civil engineer.[14] He was hired by Rolls-Royce[26] but resigned shortly after to pursue trainspotting full-time.[12][27]

Social media career

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bourgeois began to post videos on TikTok about trainspotting using his new pseudonym.[16][17] "I was applying for my fourth-year work placement and the university staff told me potential employers might search my name. I didn't want to have to worry about that," he told The Guardian.[28] In the first year of his social media presence, it was widely believed that Bourgeois had borrowed his moniker from the 18th-century court painter of the same name;[29][30] however, it was revealed in an interview that "Bourgeois" was inspired by a visit to an art exhibition by Louise Bourgeois at the Tate Gallery, and the name "Francis" was chosen because "he likes France and the way they do trains."[31] In another instance, Bourgeois named the Hauser & Wirth gallery in Somerset as the site of the exhibition.[32]

In October 2021, Bourgeois appeared on the ITV daytime magazine programme This Morning to discuss the success of his TikTok videos.[17][22][11] In late November 2021, Bourgeois registered Francis Bourgeois Limited as a private limited company.[29] In January 2022, he signed with the Books division of YMU, an international talent management company,[4] and he became a brand ambassador for GB Railfreight.[33]

In January 2022, Joe Jonas reached out to Bourgeois and the two went trainspotting together.[34] Shortly after, he began posting other collaborations to social media alongside Rosalía, Thierry Henry, and Sam Fender.[35][36][37] He also featured in a segment of Amelia Dimoldenberg's web series Amelia's Cooking Show.[38] In May 2022, Bourgeois appeared at the British Book Awards to present Cressida Cowell with her award.[39] In July 2022, he participated in Ben Ainslie's safety training at the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix.[40]

On 27 October, 2022, Bourgeois' autobiographical novel The Trainspotter's Notebook was published.[41][42] Throughout October and November 2022, Channel 4 released five-episode digital series Trainspotting with Francis Bourgeois, featuring Aisling Bea, Chloe Burrows, Jesse Lingard, Sam Ryder, and AJ Tracey.[43]

In November, Bourgeois created his YouTube channel. On November 24, 2022, Bourgeois uploaded the first episode of his series Scooting & Chatting, which he co-directs alongside Alex Thompson. The first episode features Louis Theroux.[44]

Modelling

Before signing with talent management company YMU's Books division, Bourgeois was represented by Brother modelling agency. In January 2022, he was featured in the second chapter of a partnership between The North Face and Gucci. In the photographs and promotional videos, he is featured as a train conductor.[45][46]

Personal life

Bourgeois has named the Class 43 HST as his favourite train.[17] In a BBC Radio 1 interview, he demonstrated his ability to identify the make and model of a train by its horn sound alone.[47][48] He also harbors an interest in electronic music.[49][50] In 2020, he released a song called "Whatley Quarry" under the alias Boggy Can, inspired by a quarry he grew up near in Frome, Somerset.[51]

He currently resides in the Battersea district of London.[52]

Filmography

Web series

Year Title Role Notes
2022 Amelia's Cooking Show Himself YouTube series created by Amelia Dimoldenberg
Trainspotting with Francis Bourgeois 5 episodes; Channel 4 digital series
Scooting and Chatting Self-directed series on his YouTube channel

Bibliography

  • The Trainspotter's Notebook (2022)

References

  1. ^ Bullmore, Joseph. ""At that moment, I set my younger self free…" All aboard the wild ride that is Francis Bourgeois". Gentleman's Journal. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  2. ^ Dickson, E. J. (23 December 2021). "Is This TikTok-Famous Trainspotter a Secret F-kboy?". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  3. ^ Elgee, Emma (8 February 2022). "Francis Bourgeois is the trainspotting TikTok sensation from Somerset". Somerset Live. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  4. ^ a b Ravindran, Manori (4 January 2022). "Trainspotting TikTok Talent Francis Bourgeois Signs With YMU (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  5. ^ Segalov, Michael. "'I find myself choked up with the emotions': TikTok's trainspotter sensation Francis Bourgeois". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d e Allen-Mills, Tony (2 October 2021). "TikTok trend as users go loco for Francis the trainspotter". The Sunday Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on 2 October 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  7. ^ Goggins, Joe. "Francis Bourgeois rides scooter, performs tailspin on stage with Sam Fender". Rolling Stone.
  8. ^ Qureshi, Arusa. "Watch Francis Bourgeois do a tailwhip during Sam Fender's Wembley show". NME. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  9. ^ James, Greg. "Francis Bourgeois Teaches Greg Scooter Tricks 🛴". Facebook Watch. BBC 1 Radio. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  10. ^ Gilboy, James. "Dick Mabbutt: Here's the Deal With Britain's Dirtiest Train Name". The Drive. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  11. ^ a b Leigh, Robert (4 October 2021). "TikTok trainspotter Francis Bourgeois melts Phil and Holly's hearts on This Morning - 'Adorable!'". Entertainment Daily. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  12. ^ a b Wickes, Jade; Travers, Finn (24 November 2021). "What TikTok sensation Francis Bourgeois did next". The Face. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  13. ^ Dickson, E. J. (24 November 2021). "Congratulations to 'Dick Mabbutt,' TikTok's Sexiest Locomotive". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g Wickes, Jade (21 May 2021). "Francis Bourgeois is TikTok's trainspotting sensation". The Face. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  15. ^ O'Dell, Liam (December 2021). "TikTok trainspotter Francis Bourgeois responds to accusations he's 'fake'". Indy100. The Independent. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  16. ^ a b c Sanders, Laura (10 November 2021). "Who Is Train Enthusiast Francis Bourgeois And Are His Videos Genuine?". LADbible. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  17. ^ a b c d e f Finnan, Sarah (16 November 2021). "Meet Francis Bourgeois, the viral TikTok trainspotter sparking joy with his videos". IMAGE.ie. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  18. ^ Allen-Mills, Tony. "TikTok trend as users go loco for Francis the trainspotter". The Times. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  19. ^ Segalov, Michael. "'I find myself choked up with the emotions': TikTok's trainspotter sensation Francis Bourgeois". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  20. ^ "TikTok & Trainspotting Sensation Francis Bourgeois On Becoming A Lockdown Celebrity | This Morning". YouTube. This Morning.
  21. ^ Segalov, Michael. "'I find myself choked up with the emotions': TikTok's trainspotter sensation Francis Bourgeois". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  22. ^ a b Swinscoe, Lydia (31 October 2021). "Tik Tok star Francis Bourgeois' legendary trainspotting videos are 100 percent the best thing to come out of 2021". Woman & Home. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  23. ^ Wickes, Jade. "Francis Bourgeois is TikTok's trainspotting sensation". The Face. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  24. ^ Segalov, Michael. "'I find myself choked up with the emotions': TikTok's trainspotter sensation Francis Bourgeois". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  25. ^ Segalov, Michael. "'I find myself choked up with the emotions': TikTok's trainspotter sensation Francis Bourgeois". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  26. ^ Segalov, Michael. "'I find myself choked up with the emotions': TikTok's trainspotter sensation Francis Bourgeois". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  27. ^ O'Dell, Liam (21 November 2021). "TikTok's favourite trainspotter has quit his job to pursue his hobby full-time". Indy100. The Independent. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  28. ^ Segalov, Michael. "'I find myself choked up with the emotions': TikTok's trainspotter sensation Francis Bourgeois". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  29. ^ a b Silbert, Jake. "Tiktok's Favorite Trainspotter Was Secretly a Model & We Don't Mind". Highsnobiety.
  30. ^ Perrie, Stewart. "Trainspotting Legend Francis Bourgeois' 'Real Name Revealed'". Lad Bible.
  31. ^ Bullmore, Joseph. ""At that moment, I set my younger self free…" All aboard the wild ride that is Francis Bourgeois". Gentleman's Journal. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  32. ^ Segalov, Michael. "'I find myself choked up with the emotions': TikTok's trainspotter sensation Francis Bourgeois". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  33. ^ Smith, Roger (7 January 2022). "TikTok star appointed GB Railfreight brand ambassador". RailAdvent. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  34. ^ Sung, Morgan (12 January 2022). "Joe Jonas goes trainspotting with TikTok creator Francis Bourgeois in an unexpected collab". NBC News. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  35. ^ Bayley, Sian. "Transworld gets on board with TikTok trainspotter Francis Bourgeois". The Bookseller.
  36. ^ Qureshi, Arusa. "Watch Francis Bourgeois do a tailwhip during Sam Fender's Wembley show". NME.
  37. ^ Goggins, Joe. "Francis Bourgeois rides scooter, performs tailspin on stage with Sam Fender". Rolling Stone UK.
  38. ^ Williams, Jenessa. "Francis Bourgeois, Amelia Dimoldenberg and the rise of the awkward superfan". The Forty-Five. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  39. ^ "Winner of the Book of the Year - AudioBook: Fiction Award Cressida Cowell collects her Nibbie from Francis Bourgeois live on stage!". Twitter. The Bookseller.
  40. ^ Blazeby, Miranda. "Tiktok Trainspotting Sensation Francis Bourgeois Says Racing an F50 Is 'Like a Movie'". SailGP. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  41. ^ Bayley, Sian. "Transworld gets on board with TikTok trainspotter Francis Bourgeois". The Bookseller.
  42. ^ Mensah, Katelyn. "All aboard! Francis Bourgeois has a book coming out all about his love for trains". The Tab.
  43. ^ Yossman, K.J. "TikTok Trainspotting Sensation Francis Bourgeois to Host Channel 4 Digital Series on Trains". Variety. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  44. ^ Bourgeois, Francis. "Francis Bourgeois and Louis Theroux - Scooting and Chatting". YouTube. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  45. ^ Houston, Amy (17 January 2022). "TikTok trainspotter Francis Bourgeois stars in The North Face and Gucci ad". The Drum. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  46. ^ Liederman, Emmy (24 January 2022). "TikTok's Francis Bourgeois Stars in Gucci, The North Face Ad". Adweek. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  47. ^ Thompson, Sophie. "Francis Bourgeois can somehow recognise a train just by its horn". indy100. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  48. ^ Browning, Oliver. "TikTok star Francis Bourgeois attempts to identify a train just by hearing its horn". Independent TV. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  49. ^ Houston, Amy. "'His passion is infectious': Highsnobiety on Francis Bourgeois's Gucci x North Face ad". The Drum. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  50. ^ Segalov, Michael. "'I find myself choked up with the emotions': TikTok's trainspotter sensation Francis Bourgeois". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  51. ^ Ahmed, Aneesa. "We Found Electronic Music Made By Francis Bourgeois". Mixmag. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  52. ^ Segalov, Michael. "'I find myself choked up with the emotions': TikTok's trainspotter sensation Francis Bourgeois". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
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