It has been re-named Thomas And Friends: Big World! Big Adventures!.

It represents the first work between a children’s TV programme and the United Nations to promote the Sustainable Development Goals. The United Nations has of course been consistently accused of pushing a liberal open/ borders agenda.

Leaving the confines of the fictional island of Sodor for the first time, the beloved steam locomotive will encounter a raft of new characters as he travels the world.

Other female characters – described by producers as “strong girl characters” – include Isla, an Australian flying doctor plane; Noor Jehan, a royal express engine from India; Hong-Mei, a number one blue tank engine from China; and Charubala, a female railway controller from India.

New multi-cultural characters in the show also include Ashima from India; Yong Bao from China; and Shane from Australia.

It’s not yet known how the rail-bound little train will manage to cross oceans, but fantasy elements and dream sequences seems to offer up a likely solution.

Other changes include Thomas narrating the series himself, animal characters and a new theme tune.

Taking a leaf out of Jerry Springer’s book, each episode will end with a “life lesson” from Thomas.

The loveable little tank was created more than 70 years ago by Reverend Wilbert Awdry as part of his Railway Series of books, which have become a global brand including TV programmes, films, toys and live attractions.

Awdry’s granddaughter, Claire Chambers, welcomed the changes to the franchise, saying she thinks her grandfather would be “very happy” with them.

She stated: “If the gender-balanced Steam Team encourages more girls to maintain an interest then that can only be a good thing.”

Others have argued on social media that this represents continued appeasement of modern culture and will water down the quality of the original show. They are also upset that future generations are having politicised children’s programmes forced upon them.

Unity News Network now has its own online shop where 10% of poppy sale proceeds will be donated to veterans charities while all profits are REINVESTED in our news site bringing you the best UK news ignored by the mainstream media. Check it out here: