Famous trainspotter and internet sensation visits Dorset railway station

Trainspotter Francis Bourgeois (middle) was at Corfe Castle station on Sunday where he posed for pictures with fellow railway enthusiasts. Also pictured: Swanage Railway volunteers George Miller (left) and Sam Smith (right). (Image: Swanage Railway)

A DORSET railway station had a ‘special visitor’ over the weekend as a famous trainspotter dropped by to meet staff.

Francis Bourgeois was at Corfe Castle station on Sunday where he posed for pictures with fellow railway enthusiasts.

He was there for the Swanage Railway Diesel Gala, which took place from Friday to Sunday.

The trainspotter, 22, has turned into a social media sensation for his lighthearted and humorous videos of trains which he posts on Instagram and TikTok.

He is known for recording himself through a camera mounted in front of his face which captures his excited reactions when a train passes.

Mr Bourgeois, from London, has 1.8 million followers on Instagram and three million on Tiktok and his hobby has seen him collaborate with well-known celebrities.

Swanage Railway, which runs the nine-mile heritage railway line from Norden to Swanage via Corfe Castle, said that its staff ‘just had to get a photo’ when the trainspotter surprisingly made an appearance at the weekend.

Mr Bourgeois’s real name is reported to be Luke Nicolson and his rise in fame has even seen him collaborate with major fashion brand Gucci in modelling.

“Our diesel gala shunters at Corfe Castle had a special visitor today and just had to get a photo – thank you to Francis Bourgeois for paying us a visit,” Swanage Railway said on social media.