It really shouldn't come as a surprise when two very different, yet very popular franchises come together for a special crossover or mash-up. And yet, I don't think anyone could have seen this one coming: Thomas the Tank Engine meets the DC Universe.

Debuting on YouTube, a new cartoon short features the cast of the pre-school juggernaut franchise as Superman, Batman and Cyborg tackling a pair of iconic DC villains to save the day.

It was a bright, sunny day and everything seemed alright when Thomas pulled into Dryaw Station. But then, his attention is caught by a billboard for DC Super Friends, leading the intrepid little train to imagine himself and and his friends as superheroes after strange meteors pepper his home and grants him and his friend super powers. When two of the less savory trains take on the personas of the Joker and Harley Quinn, it's up to Thomas -- as Superman -- and his fellow Hero Engines, with the powers and costumes of Cyborg and Batman, to take on the villains.