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Trainspotting TikTok star Francis Bourgeois spotted in Medway and Faversham

10:18, 27 February 2023

updated: 14:49, 27 February 2023

A world-famous TikTok star was spotted in Kent over the weekend - chasing a train around the county as part of his hugely popular trainspotting adventures.

Francis Bourgeois was seen in Tonbridge, Medway and Faversham on Saturday morning as he documented his quest to catch a British Rail Class 201 'Thumper' in action as it chugged along to the county from Hastings.

Riding along in his Nissan Micra, the 22-year-old was lucky in his efforts too, spotting the locomotive at Tonbridge train station, the Medway viaducts and Faversham.

He shared his explots with his 1.6 million Instagram and 2.7 million TikTok followers.

They delighted in seeing the London-born social media personality's newest video, which has attracted almost 50k likes on Instagram and 200k on views on TikTok since Saturday.

A world famous social media star was spotted chasing trains in Kent over the weekend. Picture:@francis_bourgeois43/Instagram
A world famous social media star was spotted chasing trains in Kent over the weekend. Picture:@francis_bourgeois43/Instagram

A popular meme page also got in the action, joking that "Francis has some speed".

Another commenter made light of the jibes made to Francis by a railway worker, who could be heard asking him: "Are you really that excited to see a train?"

The commenter quipped: "Said someone in Tonbridge, one of the least exciting towns in the south east."

The TikTok star spent his Saturday morning chasing trains in Kent. Picture:@francis_bourgeois43/Instagram
The TikTok star spent his Saturday morning chasing trains in Kent. Picture:@francis_bourgeois43/Instagram
Francis is known for his use of the fisheye lens. Picture:@francis_bourgeois43/Instagram
Francis is known for his use of the fisheye lens. Picture:@francis_bourgeois43/Instagram

The British Rail Class train dates back to 1957, with some of the units being built at the old Ashford railway works. It goes by the nickname of 'Thumper' due to the noise it makes when it travels.

Bourgeois, whose real name is Luke Magnus Nicolson, shot to stardom in 2020 with his humorous, fresh approach to trainspotting.

He is known for recording himself using the fisheye lens of a GoPro mounted to his head and for his use of absurdist comedy in his videos.

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