The Fat Controller

In the original books, there are three Sir Topham Hatts, all of whom are direct descendants of one another. A fourth Topham Hatt is introduced as the railway director in the 2025 edition of Sodor: Reading Between the Lines but has made no appearances in the series proper. Sir Topham Hatt I (1880–1956) Aged 14, Sir Topham Hatt acquired an apprentice job at Swindon Works. While there, he became friends with W. A. Stanier. He came to Sodor in 1901, joining A. W. Dry & Co at Tidmouth. On their recommendation, he became an engineer successively for 3 railways on the Island of Sodor. In 1953, he welcomed Queen Elizabeth II on a visit to Sodor. He retired the following year, and was succeeded by his son Charles Topham Hatt. Sir Topham Hatt II (1914–1997) After graduating from Cronk School, Charles worked at a factory in Crewe, but joined the Royal Engineers upon the outbreak of World War II. He then was promoted to a Colonel, and completed his military service upon the war's conclusion. In 1952, he returned to Sodor as an engineer at the Crovan's Gate Works. Upon the retirement of his father, Hatt became the second Director and inherited the title of Baronetcy. During his tenure, he presided over the refurbishment of Knapford Port, reopened the Arlesdale branch and building the Arlesdale Railway. In 1940, he married Amanda Croarie and had two children, Stephen Topham and Bridget Hatt. He retired from his position as controller in 1984, and was replaced by his son, Stephen Topham Hatt. Sir Topham Hatt III (1941–2023) Stephen Topham Hatt became the third Director in 1984. He has had three children since marrying Helen Margaret in 1970, and in 1995 he welcomed Charles, the Prince of Wales to the Island of Sodor. In the 2025 edition of Sodor: Reading Between the Lines it was revealed Sir Topham Hatt III had retired in 2023, but remains busy as Chairman of the Crovan's Gate Preservation Society, Sodor's first railway museum. Richard Topham Hatt (2023-present) Richard, became the fourth director in 2023 following his father Stephen's retirement. As of 2025 his father was still alive, and Richard had not inherited his baronetcy. At his father's retirement ceremony Richard presented him with Neil, a surviving Neilson and Company locomotive and Sodor's oldest surviving engine; which became the first addition to the new Crovan's Gate museum. == Naming ==

The first two original stories were written before the nationalisation of Britain's four major private railways, so he was called "The Fat Director", as his railway was privately owned. In 1948, the year that the third book in the series, "James the Red Engine", was written and published, the four major private railways (and some minor ones) were nationalized under the 1947 Transport Act into British Rail, so his title was changed to "The Fat Controller". In the spinoff Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go, he is always referred to by his real name in both American and British releases. ==In real life==

"Day Out with Thomas" events are a popular way of raising money for heritage railways. These events are an opportunity for children to meet characters from the books and television series (or at least, engines that have been "dressed up" to resemble them). These events are invariably presided over by a Fat Controller, played by a railway volunteer of appropriate age and build. The copyright holders are strict about how these volunteers should appear: the South Devon Railway's Fat Controller was forced to either quit or shave off his beard, and it is absolutely forbidden for a Fat Controller to be too thin. In the United States, on the other hand, he is instead portrayed as a costumed character (with the performer's face hidden). ==Notes==