Look at the context, please.

In the traditional Rev W. Awdry books of the 50s and 60s, there is a clear gender divide between male engines and female coaches. It was the attitude of the day, and it's worth noting that the engines treated the coaches like ladies, got in trouble if they mistreated them, took the blame for their misdeeds and so on. In the modern, made for TV stories, female engines have already been introduced to reflect modern attitudes so the point they're making has already been addressed, unless they want to either re-write some of the classics of childrens literature or have an episode where Gordon and Henry go in for a very special type of rebuild...

With the status quo argument, the books reflect when they were written. Those from the 1950s were very cosy and establishment, where everyone worked hard and respected the Controller, Sir Topham Hat. Those from the 1960s dealt with things like prejudice (the arrival of diesels), gender equality (Daisy the railcar having to win the engines' respect) and even with the plight of the Jews in World War Two explained using BR's modernisation plan as a metaphor (Duck helping Oliver to escape the breakers yard).

Like some of the other commentards, I think the researchers should have done some research before writing their paper!

What is a girl doing watching a program about trains anyway?

Thomas The Tank Engine is a Boys program. No wonder Shauna Wilton doesnt understand it. She should stick to watching programs about dolls and ponies, then she wont make a fool of herself.