Francis Bourgeois: The Trainspotter Who Charmed the World and Replaced Clarkson
In the vast ecosystem of social media, few creators have carved out a niche as unique and unexpectedly beloved as Francis Bourgeois. To the uninitiated, he is the “Train Guy,” a young man whose ecstatic, GoPro-filmed reactions to passing locomotives have captivated millions. But Francis Bourgeois is far more than a viral sensation. He is a mechanical engineer, a published author, a fashion model, and, as of 2026, one of the new faces of Amazon Prime’s motoring juggernaut, The Grand Tour. This is the story of how Luke Nicolson became Francis Bourgeois and built an empire on a childhood passion.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Luke Magnus Nicolson |
| Known As | Francis Bourgeois |
| Born | 9 July 2000, in Harlesden, London, England |
| Age | 26 |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | University of Nottingham (Mechanical Engineering) |
| Known For | Trainspotting videos on TikTok and Instagram; co-host of The Grand Tour |
| Followers | 3.3M on TikTok, 2.6M on Instagram, 196K on YouTube |
| Partner | Amy Linkin-Chandler |
Early Life
Francis Bourgeois was born Luke Magnus Nicolson on 9 July 2000 in Harlesden, north-west London. His mother has worked for the National Health Service, and his father has been a photography teacher. He has one younger brother named Benjamin.
Bourgeois’s love affair with trains began at an astonishingly young age. His parents and grandparents became aware of his interest when he was “about three,” around 2003. He remembers being “obsessed” with BRIO wooden train sets and Hot Wheels. At the age of four, he visited the Peco factory at Pecorama in Devon, after which his grandmother gave him his first model railway set.
In 2007, at the age of seven, Bourgeois moved to Frome in Somerset. Despite there being “far less railway action,” he says the nearby Whatley Quarry continued to pique his interest and evolve his passion for freight trains.
As a child, Bourgeois was mocked by his peers for his hobby. Like many teenagers, he tried to fit in. He gelled his hair up, wore “roadman clothes,” and even sold his model railway to fund a gym membership. But it wasn’t him, and it wasn’t making him happy. Then lockdown happened.
Career
The TikTok Breakthrough
Bourgeois began his TikTok career in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic, launching his channel as a way to reconnect with his childhood passion. He posted his first video in February 2021. What set him apart was his presentation style. He mounted a GoPro to his forehead when observing trains, capturing his gleeful, unfiltered reactions through a comically distorted fisheye lens.
His videos were pure, unfiltered joy. And the internet loved it. Bourgeois went viral in 2021. By April 2026, he had amassed over 3.3 million followers on TikTok and 2.3 million on Instagram. As of September 2026, that number has grown to over 3.4 million on TikTok and 3 million on Instagram.
The Name Change: Why “Francis Bourgeois”?
Bourgeois isn’t the creator’s real name. He was born Luke Magnus Nicolson. He adopted the pseudonym Francis Bourgeois while studying at the University of Nottingham to keep his online and private life separate. He also ditched his birth name after being told employers might trawl through his social media. The name has provided him with a layer of “protection” from the overwhelming nature of fame.
Collaborations and Brand Deals
After several of his videos went viral, Bourgeois began collaborating with celebrities such as Joe Jonas and brands including Gucci and The North Face. He has also worked with Puma and LEGO. His collaborations with Gucci and The North Face have extended into fashion campaigns, establishing him as a model in addition to a content creator.
The Trainspotter’s Notebook
In 2023, Bourgeois published his first book, The Trainspotter’s Notebook, through Penguin. The book details his experiences and love for trains. It has contributed to his income through sales and promotions.
Channel 4 and Television Work
Bourgeois has brought his love of trains to television. He has presented a Channel 4 digital series, Trainspotting with Francis Bourgeois, which features celebrities. He has also presented Mission to Space for Channel 4 and Francis Bourgeois and Chris Harris: We Saved a Train on Discovery+.
The Grand Tour: Replacing Clarkson
In perhaps the most extraordinary turn of his career, Bourgeois was chosen to replace Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May as one of the new hosts of Amazon Prime’s motoring series, The Grand Tour. He joined YouTube’s Throttle House presenters, Thomas Holland and James Engelsman. The revamped series launched on 4 September 2026.
Bourgeois received an email in December 2024 that was “ambiguous” and hinted at a car show. The filming was grueling. Bourgeois admitted they reached a “borderline breaking point” while filming in Angola, with conditions pushing the team to their limits.
Other Ventures
In 2025, Bourgeois bought his own train. The TikTok announcement video alone saw 12 million views. He has also been named to Mashable’s “Mashable 101” list of top creators shaping the internet in 2026.
Major Achievements
- Viral TikTok sensation: Amassed over 3.3 million followers with his trainspotting videos.
- Published author: Released The Trainspotter’s Notebook through Penguin.
- Fashion model: Appeared in campaigns for Gucci, The North Face, Puma, and LEGO.
- Television presenter: Hosted Channel 4 series and presented on Discovery+.
- The Grand Tour host: Replaced Jeremy Clarkson as a co-host of the Amazon Prime motoring series in 2026.
- Bought his own train: Purchased a locomotive in 2025, a dream come true for any trainspotter.
Business Ventures
Bourgeois has diversified his income through multiple channels.
Social Media Sponsorships: He collaborates with major brands like Gucci, Puma, and LEGO. These partnerships involve promotional content on his social media platforms.
YouTube Content: His YouTube channel shares longer videos about trainspotting. His series, Trainspotting with Francis Bourgeois, features celebrities and has attracted a significant audience, leading to monetization through ads and sponsorships.
Book Sales: The Trainspotter’s Notebook has contributed to his income through sales and promotions.
Modeling and Fashion Campaigns: He has appeared in fashion campaigns, including notable collaborations with Gucci and The North Face.
Television: His work with Channel 4, Discovery+, and Amazon Prime provides additional income.
Francis Bourgeois Limited: Bourgeois registered Francis Bourgeois Limited as a private limited company in January 2022.
Public Image
Bourgeois is known as the “Train Guy” to millions on TikTok. He is often characterized as recording himself through the fisheye lens of a GoPro mounted in front of his face or by juxtaposing trainspotting with contemporary fashion. He is also known for his penchant for scootering, which he frequently incorporates into his videos and other public appearances.
His public image is one of pure, unbridled joy. He is a symbol of embracing one’s true passions without fear. However, he has also faced accusations of being inauthentic after photographs from his adolescence emerged showing him in a different style. He addressed these directly, explaining his teenage attempts to fit in and how lockdown allowed him to reclaim his love for trains.
Personal Life
Bourgeois is in a relationship with Amy Linkin-Chandler. He has spoken openly about the loneliness he felt as a teenager and how reconnecting with his passion for trains through his videos helped him find happiness.
Net Worth (Estimated)
Publicly available estimates of Francis Bourgeois’s net worth vary considerably.
- NetWorthSpot: Estimates his net worth between $100,000 and $250,000 as of April 2026. This estimate is based primarily on YouTube advertising revenue, which they calculate at approximately $23,600 per year.
- Socialcounts.org: Estimates his total YouTube earnings (all-time) between $38,400 and $109,000.
- HypeAuditor: Estimates his monthly income on TikTok between $4,900 and $6,800 as of June 2026.
Sources differ on this point. The lower estimates ($100,000 to $250,000) appear to be based primarily on platform advertising revenue and may not account for his other income streams. As NetWorthSpot itself notes, “Francis Bourgeois’s net worth may possibly be much higher” when considering many sources of income.
His actual net worth is likely higher than these estimates suggest. His income streams include:
- Social media sponsorships: Collaborations with Gucci, Puma, LEGO, and others
- YouTube revenue: Advertising and sponsorships
- Book sales: The Trainspotter’s Notebook
- Modeling campaigns: Gucci, The North Face
- Television: Channel 4, Discovery+, Amazon Prime’s The Grand Tour
- Francis Bourgeois Limited: His private limited company
Note: The search results also returned information for a “Mr. Franck Bourgeois,” a different individual with an estimated business net worth of £332.15M. This is not the train spotter Francis Bourgeois and should not be confused with him.
Editor’s Note: Net worth figures are estimates compiled from publicly available sources and may vary depending on methodology. Late Magazine does not have access to private financial records and does not present these figures as confirmed or audited.
Interesting Facts
- Bought his own train: In 2025, Bourgeois purchased his own locomotive. The TikTok announcement video had 12 million views.
- GoPro to the forehead: His signature filming style involves mounting a GoPro to his forehead to capture his reactions through a fisheye lens.
- Scootering: He frequently incorporates scootering into his videos and public appearances.
- Mechanical engineer: He studied mechanical engineering at the University of Nottingham.
- Brief stint at Rolls-Royce: He previously had a brief stint working for Rolls-Royce.
- Prince William is a fan: The TikTok star counts Prince William among his fans.
Legacy
Francis Bourgeois’s legacy is still being written, but it is already remarkable. He has taken a niche hobby and turned it into a global phenomenon. He has shown that embracing one’s true passions, no matter how unconventional, can lead to extraordinary success. From a childhood love of trains to replacing Jeremy Clarkson on The Grand Tour, his journey is a testament to the power of authenticity in the digital age.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Francis Bourgeois?
Francis Bourgeois is an English trainspotter, social media personality, model, and author. He is best known for his viral TikTok videos showing his enthusiastic reactions to trains.
What is Francis Bourgeois’s real name?
His real name is Luke Magnus Nicolson.
What is Francis Bourgeois’s net worth?
Publicly available estimates vary. Some sources estimate his net worth between $100,000 and $250,000, though his actual net worth may be higher.
How did Francis Bourgeois become famous?
He became famous in 2021 by posting videos of himself trainspotting with a GoPro mounted to his forehead, capturing his joyful reactions through a fisheye lens.
Is Francis Bourgeois on the Grand Tour?
Yes. In 2026, he became one of the new hosts of Amazon Prime’s The Grand Tour, alongside Thomas Holland and James Engelsman.
Does Francis Bourgeois have a book?
Yes. He published The Trainspotter’s Notebook through Penguin.
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