Film star Scotsman joins telly's Thomas

The Flying Scotsman, built at the Doncaster Plantworks in Hexthorpe, has been unveiled as the UK’s representative in new animated movie Thomas And Friends: The Great Race.

Fans of the series about Thomas The Tank Engine and his friends who live on the island of Sodor will see it race against locomotives from across the globe as they gather to compete at the Great Railway Show.

The real engine recently returned to steam after a major refurbishment and attracted thousands to Doncaster Station when it passed through on its first run since the work was completed.

It holds the record for being the first engine to officially run at 100mph.

Pictures of the animation, released by toy firm Mattel, reveal the engine painted in what are its traditional colours – green and red.

The Flying Scotsman is also revealed as the brother of regular character, Gordon.

The film shows Thomas The Tank Engine as an underdog – but that does not stop him testing his mettle against the other engines in his bid to represent Sodor at the Great Railway Show.

Thirteen new international characters will be introduced, including Ashima of India, Axel of Belgium and Carlos of Mexico.

The CGI engines come from India, China, the US, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Mexico, Australia and UK.

The musical adventure film will be the 11th full feature-length Thomas And Friends movie.

The real Flying Scotsman is now the property of the National Railway Museum in York. It was designed by the engineer Sir Nigel Gresley and built in 1923.

Thomas The Tank Engine was originally created more than 70 years ago by the British clergyman Rev W Awdry, as a storybook for his son.

n Thomas And Friends: The Great Race will be released in May.