All aboard the TrainTok trend: spotters and staff boost rail content online
Videos about British railways have more than doubled on TikTok in three months, as trainspotters, transport workers and other creators attract viewers with practical advice and behind-the-scenes details. The trend, known as TrainTok, turns an everyday part of life into an online community and gives rail staff a way to answer questions from commuters.
TikTok says posts tagged #UKTrains rose by 247% in recent months. Transport for London employee Shamal Cain shares travel guidance, while creator Nathan Pinnock-James covers trainspotting locations, station openings and railway explainers. The growth also includes AI-generated train clips; TikTok said in late 2025 that its platform hosted more than 1bn videos containing AI.
In short
- British train videos more than doubled on TikTok in three months.
- #UKTrains posts rose by 247%.
- Creators share rail advice, explainers and enthusiast content.
Explained simply
Britain’s railways include the national train network and local systems such as London’s Underground. Trainspotters follow trains, stations and railway history, while rail staff help run services and answer passengers’ questions.
TikTok is a video-sharing platform where people post short clips, often grouped by hashtags such as #UKTrains. TrainTok brings together practical travel advice, railway explainers and videos made by enthusiasts; some train clips are generated using artificial intelligence.
The trend matters because it gives viewers another way to learn about rail travel and railway operations, and offers staff a direct route to answer common questions. It also turns trainspotting, a long-standing hobby, into an online community.