Are Sir Topham Hatt and the Fat Controller the same person?
In the television series, Sir Topham Hatt is the railway manager also known as the Fat Controller. He assigns work and runs the North Western Railway. His black top hat and formal clothes identify his appearance; he is a human character, not an engine.
How to recognise Sir Topham Hatt
His black top hat, waistcoat and formal suit describe his clothing. Unlike the engines, he has no locomotive number, wheel arrangement or power type.
Sir Topham Hatt in books and television
The character also belongs to The Railway Series books. The first television appearance shown here is Thomas and Gordon (1984); it is not the first publication date of the book character.
His relationship with the engines
Thomas, Gordon and Edward work on the railway he manages. His role helps connect their stories: he gives them jobs, responds when things go wrong and recognises useful work.
- Role
- Railway manager
- Railway
- North Western Railway
