I think I’m understanding what you mean but it’s very clunky. Maybe try again?

You’re saying that Thomas the Tank Engine and Lighting McQueen introduced kids of different generations to trains and cars.

To jump on the semantics bandwagon, “yesteryear” would have been more appropriate.

I’m not sure those two IPs were as generational as you’re giving them credit for. There’s also nothing very interesting about your observation, if I understood correctly.