Thomas the Tank's new multicultural engines
Our first look at the new engines from India, Brazil, China and Mexico
Thomas the Tank Engine is getting 14 new friends – from all over the world.
Among the new characters are engines from India, Brazil, China and Mexico – and 4 are female trains.
The new characters will be introduced in a film called The Great Race that's coming to cinemas in May.
Currently, there are around 100 characters inhabiting the isle of Sodor – most of them are male and white (as far as we can tell).
The move to make the cartoon more diverse reflects the show's popularity around the world – and The Great Race takes inspiration from this summer's Olympic Games in Rio.
"This story is a way to help him understand that there is a bigger world out there,” Vincent D’Allev, who oversees Thomas & Friends for Mattel, told The New York Times.
So let's have a look at some of the new characters…
Raul of Brazil
Yong Bao of China
Ashima of India
Carlos of Mexico
Photos: Mattel
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