Fat Controller

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For the student magazine, see Fat Controller Magazine.

Sir Topham Hatt, the Fat Controller is the head of the railway in The Railway Series of books written by Rev. W. V. Awdry. In the first two books in the series (The Three Railway Engines and Thomas the Tank Engine) he is known as The Fat Director. In the third book (James the Red Engine) he becomes The Fat Controller, as the railway is nationalised. His full name is revealed in the book Duck and the Diesel Engine

He has his own song in the TV series ('Sir Topham Hatt').

Character

The Fat Controller might best be described as a "firm but fair" leader, and is an extremely complex character. He acts as a sort of parent to the engines of Sodor. When Diesel had been spreading rumours about Duck telling jokes about the big engine, he sent Duck to Edwards Branch line, but some time later, he was chased by the trucks down the line and they pushed him into a barber shop. Not long afterward, The Fat Controller arrived and spoke kindly to Duck for stopping a serious accident and for being so brave. Every time an engine is upset he speaks to them kindly. He loves all his engines. He does not stand for any nonsense, but he is also forgiving. When an engine misbehaves, as they often do on his railway, he is willing to allow them a second chance if they are truly sorry. He is also quite perceptive and shrewd, and is not above using elaborate schemes to get to the bottom of a problem. Early in the series The first four engines were Thomas, Edward, Henry, and Gordon. Many years ago they had to work the main line and were very busy for many years, but he bought more engines in the years he reopened Ffarquhar line and made it into Thomas's Branch Line. He is undeniably nostalgic, and the way he runs his railway recalls the better elements of the days of steam. Indeed, he is not afraid to get his hands dirty if it is on the footplate of a steam engine.

In his first appearance, in 'The Sad Story of Henry', he was a rather more pompous and lazy figure. By the next book, 'Thomas the Tank Engine', he had evolved into his more sympathetic present form.

In the television series, he is also a highly philanthropic individual, performing a number of charitable acts for the people of Sodor. He gets on well with children, with he and his wife often looking after their grandchildren, Stephen and Bridget.

Biography (Railway Series)

In the Railway Series, there have actually been three Fat Controllers. This is never discussed directly in the stories, as they all look very similar and are all known as Sir Topham Hatt. However, the books 'The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways' (written by Rev. W. Awdry and George Awdry) and 'Sodor: Reading Between the Lines' (by Christopher Awdry) make this explicitly clear.

Sir Topham Hatt I

This man was a talented engineer who served under William Stanier at the Great Western Railway's Swindon works. He went on to assist A W Dry in the construction of the Tidmouth, Knapford and Elsbridge Light Railway (which ultimately became Thomas' branch line) and designed the locomotives that ran upon it.

When the standard gauge railways of the Island were merged into the North Western Railway in 1914, Topham Hatt was once again called upon for his engineering skill. He constructed a bridge to link Sodor with the Mainland, as well as a number of branch lines and improvements to locomotive facilities. He was immediately made a Director of the railway.

When the North Western Railway was nationalised and became part of British Railways in 1948, Topham Hatt was made Controller of the railway. 1948 also saw him made a baronet for his services to the railways of Sodor.

It is no exaggeration to say that the prosperity of modern day Sodor can be put down to this man.

Sir Topham Hatt II

Charles Topham Hatt was the son of the first Sir Topham Hatt and the second Controller of the NWR. Like his father, he was an innovative engineer and made a number of improvements to the railway and its engines. He was also the originator of the scheme to construct the Arlesdale Railway and the ballast consortium that used it.

He was responsible for the line's policy of retaining steam locomotives long after they had been abolished on the rest of British Railways, and while Richard Beeching was closing down branch lines on the Mainland, he was reopening them on Sodor.

Sir Topham Hatt III

Stephen Topham Hatt was first seen as a child in the book 'Toby the Tram Engine'. As an adult, he was elected as the third Controller of the North Western Railway. He, like his father and grandfather before him, is an innovator and a canny businessman. He has been involved in a number of schemes for improving the railways of Sodor, from assisting in the construction of new engines to plans to introduce a direct London-Sodor train service.

He has recently been investigating the possibility of obtaining a new steam engine for the North Western Railway and of using his extensive Works for the manufacture of locomotive parts for other railways.

Biography (television series)

In the television series, the Fat Controller is always the same man, with the same wife and grandchildren. There is no indication of his age and very little of his history is revealed. He is in charge of all the engines on Sodor and seemingly has a great deal of say over other vehicles. As a young man, he learnt to drive in Elizabeth the vintage Sentinel lorry.

He has overseen the construction of a number of lines and has been involved with the opening of several tourist attractions on Sodor.

The "Sir" part of his title comes from the fact that he was knighted for his services to the railways of Sodor. Recent seasons have made him seem dorky, as he overuses the phrase "confusion and delay" when the engines make a mistake.

Other Biographical Information

A story in a Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends magazine said that as a boy, Topham Hatt was just as enthusiastic about trains as he is now. He was also overweight, and was bullied at school.

However, it must be noted that the canonicity of the magazine stories is uncertain and often contradicts the more official sources.

Mode of Dress

In his iconic top hat and morning suit, the Fat Controller looks rather old fashioned and formal. However, it should be noted that until at least the late 1950s it was customary for railway officials in Britain to be so dressed- for Sir Topham Hatt to be dressed any other way would be far more unusual.

American fans have also noted that this outfit resembles a 19th century railroad baron, although this is purely coincidence.

Sir Topham's suit has often been used for comic effect, being augmented with scarf and mittens in winter. The television series plays on the outdated nature of this outfit, giving Sir Topham an entire wardrobe of old-fashioned and unnecessarily formal clothes for occasions when he is not "on duty" and making the character look faintly ridiculous.

Sir Topham's household

Wife: Lady Hatt

Lady Jane Hatt, formerly Jane Brown, helps her husband run the railway, and is happiest when she sees new lines opened, and has had some special birthday parties (but most of the time surprises occur on her birthday). She likes the railway, but had a certain dislike of Annie and Clarabel. Later, she took a liking to them, after they got new coats of paint. Although her husband runs a railway, she likes a day out on a boat or in their car.

She first appeared in Season 1, and has had a few appearances throughout the series, her last appearance (currently) being in "Tuneful Toots".

Mother: Dowager Hatt

Dowager Hatt visited Sodor once, and her son held a party for her. her Dalmatian dog (soon to be named Gremlin) ran away. She says the Railway is really useful, and the Fat Controller says she is always right!

Dowager Hatt was introduced in Season 5, made a cameo in Season 6, and appears again in a Season 9 Story. Her full title is Dowager Hatt, revealed in the Season 9 episode in the UK.

She is the only member of the household to originate in the television series, never having appeared in the books.

Grandson: Stephen Hatt

Stephen Topham Hatt lives on the Island of Sodor, and regularly has outings and holidays with his grandparents and sister. Stephen loves trains, and was excited when he first met Toby the Tram Engine. Stephen also has a bit of knowledge about the Island, of which is the reason they discovered the Old Castle and the mine (in which Bertram was found).

Stephen Hatt only appeared in a few Season 1 and 5 episodes, but made cameos in 'Thomas and the Tuba' and 'Thomas and the Circus'.

In the Railway Series, Stephen ultimately took the railway over, and is the current Fat Controller. However, in the television series he has always remained a child.

Granddaughter: Bridget Hatt

Bridget Amanda Hatt lives on Sodor, and regularly goes for outings and holidays with her grandparents. On one occasion they went to Toby the Tram Engine's old line, and she thought he was an electric tram! But, apart from that, they had a wonderful holiday, and Toby enjoyed it too. Sometimes they also go to the seaside, which one time led to a hunt for an old castle and a mine, in which Toby ended up making a new friend. Bridget Hatt loves living on Sodor, and seeing the trains.

Bridget Hatt's full name is Bridget Amanda Hatt (her middle name being her mother's). Her parents (mentioned only in the book 'Sodor: Reading Between the Lines') are Charles and Amanda Hatt. Bridget was last featured in Season 5, but made a cameo in Thomas and the Tuba, and Thomas and the Circus in Season 8.

Butler

Sir Topham Hatt has a butler who is featured in the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV Series. He is a loyal and trustworthy butler, who answers the phone for the Fat Controller, and does many other household jobs. Sir Topham Hatt's Butler has only been featured in two stories, "Thomas in Trouble" ("Thomas Breaks the Rules" in the U.S.) in Season 1, and "Duck Takes Charge", in Season 2, but made a good impression.

Car(s)

Sir Topham Hatt the Fat Controller owns a blue car featured in the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV Series. He uses it to go to places when the engines are busy, or to go see what the engines are doing. It once caused trouble when he drove it into a pothole in the road, but he thinks it very reliable, and wouldn't want to get to work in any other vehicle. It helped when some trucks ran away from Percy.

Despite its usual blue colour, Sir Topham's car has taken on many forms throughout the years. It was blue in The Railway Series, but consisted of three different models in the TV Series. In the puzzles and other merchandise, the car is yellow, and in one is seen as being red. It is possible that the Fat Controller has more than one car.

In all cases, his car is presented as a typical vehicle of the 1940s and 50s.

Criticism

The name 'Fat Controller' has been the subject of much controversy because of the supposed political incorrectness of the name. In America in 1989 the ACLU successfully argued that censorship of this name would violate the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.#redirect Nonetheless, the nickname has been downplayed in recent years in favour of "Sir Topham Hatt".

Impact on Popular Culture

The Fat Controller has proven to be a popular figure outside of the world of Thomas. In British slang, the name has come to symbolise any authority figure linked with transportation. The most notable figure of recent years to be compared to Sir Topham is the British Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott. A rather more contemptuous term, "fat cat controller", has been applied to the executives of transport firms.

The name has also been given to a student magazine (see Fat Controller Magazine) and at least one public house in the United Kingdom.

External link

• [The Real Lives of Thomas page on the Fat Controller]

 

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