I don't think I’ve had such an adrenaline rush past midnight - TikTok star Francis Bourgeois on delivery of new Metro trains
Social media megastar Francis Bourgeois has filmed the latest batch of the new Tyne and Wear Metro trains reaching British soil as they emerged from the channel tunnel.
In his latest offering, Bourgeois, the Tik Tok train spotter who has brought the hobby into the mainstream, recorded himself at Willesden Junction in North London, capturing the new Metro train as it was being delivered to the region.
The video was shot in the middle of the night as Bourgeois was documenting the UK’s oldest registered diesel locomotives hauling the Stadler Metro train, not long after emerging from the Channel Tunnel.
In the video, Bourgeois - whose real name is Luke Nicholson - comments how it was “certainly worth staying up late at Willesden Junction for this”.
He then goes on to add: “There are the new Tyne and Wear Metro units, 555042 and 555044. I do not think I’ve had such an adrenaline rush past midnight.”
So far, the reel has been viewed almost half a million times on Tik Tok and has over one million views on Instagram.
Since his first TikTok clip, back in February 2021, the excitable Francis Bourgeois has risen to social media superstardom.
He now commands a following of millions, with his TikTok account boasting more than 3.3 million fans, while his Instagram has 2.5million.
Earlier this month (December) Nexus chiefs announced that half of its new Stadler trains are now in service.
Nexus also confirmed it has taken delivery of 40 new Metro trains from Stadler. All 46 new trains are scheduled to arrive in the region early next year (2026).