The fascination with train spotting

Train spotting has long been seen as a niche activity, but its impact runs deeper than people realise. It plays an important role in documenting railway history, preserving knowledge, and fostering a sense of community.

Train enthusiasts help track changes in locomotives, routes, and infrastructure. This creates a valuable record of the industry’s evolution. Their enthusiasm has also influenced culture, inspiring books, films, and the art of model railways.

Why train spotters matter

Train spotting used to be a quirky hobby for people with notebooks and cameras waiting for hours at platforms. However, things have changed since it became popular in the 1940s.

Train spotters and model railway fans play a vital role in preserving railway history. Their dedication charts how the UK’s railways have evolved, and many well-known train enthusiasts have helped change how people view it.

Celebrities like Rod Stewart, Pete Waterman, Michael Palin, and TikTok star Francis Bourgeois have shown their love of the rails. They use their influence to promote railway preservation, helping to keep Britain’s railway culture alive.

The cultural significance of train enthusiasm

Train enthusiasm led by hobbyists and famous train spotters has helped turn a once niche hobby into a growing cultural trend. From model railways to social media, their passion continues to inspire.

While figures like Roger Daltrey and Rod Stewart have brought railway fandom into the spotlight for decades, TikTok star Francis Bourgeois has introduced trainspotting to a new generation. His fun and light-hearted videos on trains have earned him over 3 million loyal followers.

Even trending movements, such as slow travel, owe much to the trainspotting community’s appreciation for railways. From preserving history and celebrating innovation, trains have become an exciting cultural trend.

Famous train spotters and their contributions

Train spotting has attracted a wide range of enthusiasts, including musicians, broadcasters, and social media stars.

These well-known figures have used their influence to share their love for railways. With their passion, they brought the hobby into the public eye by celebrating and supporting railway culture.

1. Pete Waterman

While he's known for his career in the music industry, Pete Waterman is a man of many interests. One of these is a love for trains and model railways.

His passion for trains and model railways led him to found the Waterman Railway Heritage Trust. He also starred in the Channel 4 documentary Little Trains and Big Names with Pete Waterman, showcasing his passion for rail culture.

In 2024, he and his team of fellow rail enthusiasts set a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest mobile model railway with 999.9 metres of track. Through his work with model trains, Pete Waterman continues to push boundaries, setting new records and inspiring train enthusiasts everywhere.

2. Rod Stewart

In 2019, Rod Stewart revealed his 23-year-long passion project. The result? A huge, intricate model railway city dubbed The Grand Street and Three Rivers Railroad.

He might be a well-known musician, but Rod Stewart’s train love and model railways are how he spends most of his downtime. The singer even showed off his model on the front page of Railway Modeller magazine in January 2025.

Stewart’s love and detail garnered widespread admiration and shone a light on train enthusiasm from fellow model railway people and the general public. His openness and eagerness to share his love for trains has also helped validate the hobby for others.

3. Michael Palin

Best known for Monty Python, Michael Palin has also become a beloved figure in the world of train travel.

The 1980 BBC documentary Great Railway Journeys of the World featured him in an episode called Confessions of a Train Spotter. In it, he travelled by rail from London to the remote Kyle of Lochalsh in Scotland, sharing his love of trains along the way.

Palin returned to the series in 1994 with Derry to Kerry, journeying through Ireland by train. His warm, thoughtful style brought the beauty of the railway to new audiences. For many, he helped spark a renewed appreciation for trains.

4. Elton John

Sir Elton John, the legendary musician, is rumored to have a model railway running through his garden. In 1970, he and lyricist Bernie Taupin were photographed outside the heritage line’s Sheffield Park station museum. This became the cover of his album "Tumbleweed Connection."

Additionally, during the release party for his 1973 album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, miniature aluminium trains were handed out as keepsakes. Another sign of his love of the railways.

5. Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra’s love for model railways was a big part of his life offstage.

In the 1950s, he began building his own O-gauge layout at his home in Rancho Mirage, California. It was based on a famous Lionel showroom design and featured detailed scenery, multiple train lines, and a huge collection of vintage and modern trains.

To house it all, Sinatra even built a replica of a New Jersey train station on his property. Inside, he would spend time running the trains and enjoying the hobby. His interest showed that model railways could be a passion for anyone, even Ol’ Blue Eyes.

6. Roger Daltrey

Roger Daltrey, the lead singer of The Who, has a deep-rooted passion for model railways. In a 2014 interview on Chris Evans's radio show, he highlighted the diverse skills involved in the hobby, such as woodworking and painting.

Beyond his own collection, Daltrey has actively promoted railway heritage. In 2014, he supported the Ashford International Model Railway Education Centre (AIMREC), an organisation looking to educate the public about the joy of model trains.

7. Francis Bourgeois

Francis Bourgeois, known for his joyful and often wide-eyed trainspotting videos, has helped bring railway enthusiasm to a new audience. Sharing his content on TikTok and Instagram, he quickly became a recognisable face in rail culture, especially among younger fans.

His love for trains started in childhood, but it was during lockdown that he began filming his trainspotting adventures. Using a GoPro and signature fisheye lens, he captured the excitement of spotting rare locomotives in a fun, relatable way.

Since then, he's written a book, worked with big-name brands, and helped make train enthusiasm feel more modern and inclusive.

8. Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks, the acclaimed actor, has a well-documented passion for trains and model railroading. His enthusiasm for this hobby reportedly influenced his decision to voice multiple characters, including the conductor, in the 2004 film The Polar Express.

Inspiring the next generation

From quirky Tiktokers to renowned model makers, these train enthusiasts are drawing in a fresh wave of fans.

It’s a new dawn for trains. In the digital age, spotting and railway enthusiasm have become more accessible and appealing to younger audiences. Sure, notebooks and waiting at platforms still play their part. However, apps and social media have created exciting new ways for young people to engage with the rails. They can share their thoughts, photos, and experiences and connect with fellow train lovers at the tap of a screen.

Heritage railways are also getting involved in appealing to younger audiences. Many now offer volunteering opportunities and family-friendly events, giving children the chance to experience the magic of rail travel up close.

Trains and the rail are integral to Britain's culture and heritage, and famous train spotters are helping to keep that story alive for the next generation.