Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia
m (Grammar.)
m (Grammar.)
(25 intermediate revisions by 15 users not shown)
Line 22: Line 22:
 
* The Fat Director {{Note|formerly; [[The Railway Series|RWS]]}}
 
* The Fat Director {{Note|formerly; [[The Railway Series|RWS]]}}
 
* Fat Hatt {{Nickname|[[Diesel 10]]}}
 
* Fat Hatt {{Nickname|[[Diesel 10]]}}
* Boss {{Nickname|[[Ferdinand]]}}
+
* Boss {{Nickname|[[Ferdinand]] and [[Kevin]]}}
 
* Hattie {{Nickname|[[Junior]]}}
 
* Hattie {{Nickname|[[Junior]]}}
 
|gender = Male
 
|gender = Male
Line 62: Line 62:
 
* The Fat Controller
 
* The Fat Controller
 
* The Stout Gentleman
 
* The Stout Gentleman
 
}}'''Sir Topham Hatt''', nicknamed "'''The Fat Controller'''" (previously known as "'''The Fat Director'''"), is the manager of the [[North Western Railway]] and a father figure to his engines.
}}
 
 
'''Sir Topham Hatt''', nicknamed "'''The Fat Controller'''" (previously known as "'''The Fat Director'''"), is the manager of the [[North Western Railway]] and is a father figure to his engines.
 
   
 
==The Fat Controllers==
 
==The Fat Controllers==
Line 70: Line 68:
   
 
===Sir Topham Hatt I (1880-1956)===
 
===Sir Topham Hatt I (1880-1956)===
'''Topham Hatt''' was apprenticed at the Great Western Railway's Swindon Works in 1894 at the age of fourteen. During his time there, he seems to have struck up a friendship with William A. Stanier, a fellow apprentice. The story current at Crovan's Gate Works is that on at least one occasion, perhaps more, the future Sir Topham was able to help the future Sir William to escape the consequences of what might have been a serious scrape. Due to his training at Swindon, he always admired things Great Western.
+
'''Topham Hatt''' was apprenticed at the Great Western Railway's Swindon Works in 1894 at the age of fourteen. During his time there, he seems to have struck up a friendship with William A. Stanier, a fellow apprentice. The story current at Crovan's Gate Works is that on at least one occasion, perhaps more, the future Sir Topham was able to help the future, Sir William, to escape the consequences of what might have been a serious scrape. Due to his training at Swindon, he always admired things Great Western.
   
 
He came to [[Island of Sodor|Sodor]] in 1901 and joined A. W. Dry & Co., a firm of drainage engineers, at [[Tidmouth]]. On their recommendation, he became an engineer to the [[Tidmouth, Knapford and Elsbridge Light Railway]] in 1910, the Tidmouth, [[Wellsworth]] & [[Suddery]] in 1912 and the North Western Railway upon its formation in 1914. On the North Western Railway, he rose to be General Manager in 1923, Managing Director in 1936 and upon Nationalisation in 1948, he was created a baronet on his appointment as Chairman of the Regional Executive.
 
He came to [[Island of Sodor|Sodor]] in 1901 and joined A. W. Dry & Co., a firm of drainage engineers, at [[Tidmouth]]. On their recommendation, he became an engineer to the [[Tidmouth, Knapford and Elsbridge Light Railway]] in 1910, the Tidmouth, [[Wellsworth]] & [[Suddery]] in 1912 and the North Western Railway upon its formation in 1914. On the North Western Railway, he rose to be General Manager in 1923, Managing Director in 1936 and upon Nationalisation in 1948, he was created a baronet on his appointment as Chairman of the Regional Executive.
   
For A.W. Dry & Co., he built a series of four vertical boiler engines known as [[Coffee Pots]] between 1905 and 1908, which were used by the TK&ER. After an Autumn gale in 1908, he directed unemployed miners in cutting a tunnel through the ridge south of Tidmouth. In 1915, for the NWR, he designed a double tracked [[Vicarstown Bridge|Scherzer Rolling Lift Bridge]] of 120 ft span to cross the Walney Channel. Sometime after this, he was appointed a director of the Company.
+
For A.W. Dry & Co., he built a series of four vertical boiler engines known as [[Coffee Pots]] between 1905 and 1908, which were used by the TK&ER. After an Autumn gale in 1908, he directed unemployed miners in cutting a tunnel through the ridge south of Tidmouth. In 1915, for the NWR, he designed a double-tracked [[Vicarstown Bridge|Scherzer Rolling Lift Bridge]] of 120 ft span to cross the Walney Channel. Sometime after this, he was appointed a director of the Company.
   
When the Railway was suffering from a locomotive crisis in the early 1920's, he was responsible for acquiring new engines. During this time, he made one of his rare bad bargains when he purchased [[Henry]] instead of the Robinson Atlantic he wanted. He remembered the mistake with sorrow for the rest of his days and was so angry at having been “done” that he would never admit who it was who had swindled him. No-one was better pleased than Topham Hatt when the [[Killdane]] accident occurred in 1935. Using his connections with William Stanier, now CME of the LMS, he was able to have Henry completely rebuilt at Crewe Works.
+
When the Railway was suffering from a locomotive crisis in the early 1920s, he was responsible for acquiring new engines. During this time, he made one of his rare bad bargains when he purchased [[Henry]] instead of the Robinson Atlantic he wanted. He remembered the mistake with sorrow for the rest of his days and was so angry at having been “done” that he would never admit who it was who had swindled him. No-one was better pleased than Topham Hatt when the [[Killdane]] accident occurred in 1935. Using his connections with William Stanier, now CME of the LMS, he was able to have Henry completely rebuilt at Crewe Works.
   
 
In 1953, when The Queen visited Sodor in Coronation year he had the honour of welcoming her to Tidmouth, having been previously presented to Her Majesty by Viscount Harwick, the Governor, who was also his son-in-law.
 
In 1953, when The Queen visited Sodor in Coronation year he had the honour of welcoming her to Tidmouth, having been previously presented to Her Majesty by Viscount Harwick, the Governor, who was also his son-in-law.
Line 102: Line 100:
 
With great skill, he masterminded the arrangements for the royal visit in 1995, when he welcomed the [[Minor Human Characters in the Railway Series#The Royal Personage|Prince of Wales]] on his first visit to Sodor.
 
With great skill, he masterminded the arrangements for the royal visit in 1995, when he welcomed the [[Minor Human Characters in the Railway Series#The Royal Personage|Prince of Wales]] on his first visit to Sodor.
   
Richard Topham is no doubt destined to be Sir Topham Hatt IV, but when is yet to be known. In [[Sodor: Reading Between the Lines]], it was last heard that his father was 64 in 2005 and had not given any hint of retirement. As of 2019, it is unknown if he is still acting as controller.
+
Richard Topham is no doubt destined to be Sir Topham Hatt IV, but when is yet to be known. In [[Sodor: Reading Between the Lines]], it was last heard that his father was 64 in 2005 and had not given any hint of a retirement. As of 2019, it is unknown if he is still acting as the controller.
   
 
===Gallery===
 
===Gallery===
Line 125: Line 123:
 
Despite his kindness and fairness, however, there are times where Sir Topham Hatt berates the engines for situations beyond their control. Like any son, he does hold a slight bit of respect for his mother, [[Dowager Hatt]]. But like all parental relationships, there are some things he finds more personal than others.
 
Despite his kindness and fairness, however, there are times where Sir Topham Hatt berates the engines for situations beyond their control. Like any son, he does hold a slight bit of respect for his mother, [[Dowager Hatt]]. But like all parental relationships, there are some things he finds more personal than others.
   
At times, Sir Topham Hatt can be the comic relief character, having high levels of irony and occasional slapstick. 
+
At times, Sir Topham Hatt can be the comic relief character, having high levels of irony and occasional slapstick. He can also be overhasty and forgetful at times and misplace priorities.
   
 
==Attire==
 
==Attire==
Line 171: Line 169:
 
* '''[[Thomas and Victoria]]''' - [[Thomas and Victoria#Overloaded|Overloaded]] {{Mentioned}}, [[Thomas and Victoria#Avalanche|Avalanche]] {{Mentioned}} and [[Thomas and Victoria#Toby's Vintage Train|Toby's Vintage Train]]
 
* '''[[Thomas and Victoria]]''' - [[Thomas and Victoria#Overloaded|Overloaded]] {{Mentioned}}, [[Thomas and Victoria#Avalanche|Avalanche]] {{Mentioned}} and [[Thomas and Victoria#Toby's Vintage Train|Toby's Vintage Train]]
 
* '''[[Thomas and his Friends]]''' - [[Thomas and his Friends#Thomas and the Swan|Thomas and the Swan]], [[Thomas and his Friends#Buffer Bashing|Buffer Bashing]], [[Thomas and his Friends#Gordon's Fire Service|Gordon's Fire Service]] {{Does not speak}} and [[Thomas and his Friends#Centenary|Centenary]]
 
* '''[[Thomas and his Friends]]''' - [[Thomas and his Friends#Thomas and the Swan|Thomas and the Swan]], [[Thomas and his Friends#Buffer Bashing|Buffer Bashing]], [[Thomas and his Friends#Gordon's Fire Service|Gordon's Fire Service]] {{Does not speak}} and [[Thomas and his Friends#Centenary|Centenary]]
  +
* '''[[Thomas's Christmas Party (book)|Thomas's Christmas Party]]'''
 
  +
===Companion Volumes===
* '''[[Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree (story)|Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree]]'''
 
  +
* '''1970''' - [[Twelve Happy Engines]] {{Does not speak}}
* '''[[Thomas and the Evil Diesel]]'''
 
* '''[[Thomas and the Hurricane]]'''
+
* '''1976''' - [[Famous Engines]]
  +
* '''1980''' - [[Annuals#1980|Annual]]
  +
* '''1983''' - [[The Flying Kipper and Henry the Green Engine]]
 
* '''1984''' - [[Thomas's Christmas Party (book)|Thomas's Christmas Party]] and [[James the Red Engine and the Troublesome Trucks]]
  +
* '''1986''' - [[Thomas the Tank Engine Goes Fishing]], [[Percy the Small Engine Takes the Plunge]], [[Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree (story)|Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree]] and [[Thomas the Tank Engine: The Complete Collection]]
  +
* '''1987''' - [[Thomas and the Evil Diesel]] and [[The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways]]
 
* '''1992''' - [[Thomas and the Hurricane]]
  +
* '''1994''' - [[James the Red Engine and the Signal]]
  +
* '''1995''' - [[Percy the Small Engine and the Scarf]], [[Thomas the Tank Engine Catches a Thief]] and [[Thomas the Tank Engine and the Scrambled Eggs]]
  +
* '''2005''' - [[Sodor: Reading Between the Lines]] {{Mentioned}}
  +
* '''2007''' - [[Thomas the Tank Engine: The New Collection]]
 
}}
 
}}
 
|-|Television Series=
 
|-|Television Series=
Line 183: Line 191:
 
* '''[[Series 3]]''' - [[A Scarf for Percy]], [[Percy's Promise]], [[Time for Trouble]], [[Gordon and the Famous Visitor]] {{Cameo}}, [[Donald's Duck]], [[Thomas Gets Bumped]], [[Thomas, Percy and the Dragon]], [[Diesel Does it Again]], [[Henry's Forest]], [[The Trouble with Mud]], [[No Joke for James]], [[Thomas, Percy and the Post Train]], [[Mavis (episode)|Mavis]] {{Mentioned}}, [[Toby's Tightrope]], [[Edward, Trevor and the Really Useful Party]] {{Does not speak}}, [[One Good Turn]], [[Tender Engines]], [[Escape]], [[Oliver Owns Up]], [[Heroes]], [[Percy, James and the Fruitful Day]] and [[Thomas and Percy's Christmas Adventure]] {{Does not speak}}
 
* '''[[Series 3]]''' - [[A Scarf for Percy]], [[Percy's Promise]], [[Time for Trouble]], [[Gordon and the Famous Visitor]] {{Cameo}}, [[Donald's Duck]], [[Thomas Gets Bumped]], [[Thomas, Percy and the Dragon]], [[Diesel Does it Again]], [[Henry's Forest]], [[The Trouble with Mud]], [[No Joke for James]], [[Thomas, Percy and the Post Train]], [[Mavis (episode)|Mavis]] {{Mentioned}}, [[Toby's Tightrope]], [[Edward, Trevor and the Really Useful Party]] {{Does not speak}}, [[One Good Turn]], [[Tender Engines]], [[Escape]], [[Oliver Owns Up]], [[Heroes]], [[Percy, James and the Fruitful Day]] and [[Thomas and Percy's Christmas Adventure]] {{Does not speak}}
 
* '''[[Series 4]]''' - [[Sleeping Beauty]] {{Does not speak}}, [[Four Little Engines (episode)|Four Little Engines]] {{Does not speak}}, [[A Bad Day for Sir Handel]], [[Peter Sam and the Refreshment Lady]] {{Does not speak}}, [[Trucks]], [[Home at Last]], [[Special Funnel]], [[Passengers and Polish]], [[Thomas and Stepney]] {{Mentioned}}, [[Bowled Out]], [[Henry and the Elephant]], [[Toad Stands By]], [[Thomas and the Special Letter]], [[Paint Pots and Queens]], [[Fish]], [[Special Attraction]] and [[Mind that Bike]] {{Mentioned}}
 
* '''[[Series 4]]''' - [[Sleeping Beauty]] {{Does not speak}}, [[Four Little Engines (episode)|Four Little Engines]] {{Does not speak}}, [[A Bad Day for Sir Handel]], [[Peter Sam and the Refreshment Lady]] {{Does not speak}}, [[Trucks]], [[Home at Last]], [[Special Funnel]], [[Passengers and Polish]], [[Thomas and Stepney]] {{Mentioned}}, [[Bowled Out]], [[Henry and the Elephant]], [[Toad Stands By]], [[Thomas and the Special Letter]], [[Paint Pots and Queens]], [[Fish]], [[Special Attraction]] and [[Mind that Bike]] {{Mentioned}}
* '''[[Series 5]]''' - [[Cranky Bugs]], [[Horrid Lorry]] {{Cameo}}, [[A Better View for Gordon]], [[Lady Hatt's Birthday Party]], [[James and the Trouble with Trees]], [[Gordon and the Gremlin]], [[Bye George!]], [[Baa!]], [[Put Upon Percy]], [[Toby and the Flood]], [[Haunted Henry]], [[Double Teething Troubles]], [[Stepney Gets Lost]], [[Toby's Discovery]], [[Something in the Air]], [[Thomas, Percy and Old Slowcoach]], [[Thomas and the Rumours]], [[Oliver's Find]], [[Happy Ever After]], [[Sir Topham Hatt's Holiday]], [[A Surprise for Percy]], [[Make Someone Happy]], [[Duncan Gets Spooked]] and [[Rusty and the Boulder]]
+
* '''[[Series 5]]''' - [[Cranky Bugs]], [[Horrid Lorry]] {{Cameo}}, [[A Better View for Gordon]], [[Lady Hatt's Birthday Party]], [[James and the Trouble with Trees]], [[Gordon and the Gremlin]], [[Bye George!]], [[Baa!]], [[Put Upon Percy]], [[Toby and the Flood]], [[Haunted Henry]], [[Double Teething Troubles]], [[Stepney Gets Lost]], [[Toby's Discovery]], [[Something in the Air]], [[Thomas, Percy and Old Slow Coach]], [[Thomas and the Rumours]], [[Oliver's Find]], [[Happy Ever After]], [[Sir Topham Hatt's Holiday]], [[A Surprise for Percy]], [[Make Someone Happy]], [[Duncan Gets Spooked]] and [[Rusty and the Boulder]]
 
* '''[[Series 6]]''' - [[Salty's Secret]], [[Harvey to the Rescue]], [[No Sleep for Cranky]], [[A Bad Day for Harold the Helicopter]], [[Elizabeth the Vintage Lorry]], [[The Fogman]], [[Jack Jumps in]] {{Mentioned}}, [[It's Only Snow]], [[Twin Trouble]], [[The World's Strongest Engine]], [[Scaredy Engines]], [[Percy and the Haunted Mine]], [[Middle Engine]], [[James and the Red Balloon]], [[Jack Frost]], [[Gordon Takes a Tumble]], [[Percy's Chocolate Crunch]], [[Buffer Bother]], [[Toby Had a Little Lamb]], [[Thomas, Percy and the Squeak]], [[Thomas the Jet Engine]], [[Edward the Very Useful Engine]], [[Dunkin Duncan]] and [[Rusty Saves the Day]]
 
* '''[[Series 6]]''' - [[Salty's Secret]], [[Harvey to the Rescue]], [[No Sleep for Cranky]], [[A Bad Day for Harold the Helicopter]], [[Elizabeth the Vintage Lorry]], [[The Fogman]], [[Jack Jumps in]] {{Mentioned}}, [[It's Only Snow]], [[Twin Trouble]], [[The World's Strongest Engine]], [[Scaredy Engines]], [[Percy and the Haunted Mine]], [[Middle Engine]], [[James and the Red Balloon]], [[Jack Frost]], [[Gordon Takes a Tumble]], [[Percy's Chocolate Crunch]], [[Buffer Bother]], [[Toby Had a Little Lamb]], [[Thomas, Percy and the Squeak]], [[Thomas the Jet Engine]], [[Edward the Very Useful Engine]], [[Dunkin Duncan]] and [[Rusty Saves the Day]]
 
* '''[[Series 7]]''' - [[Emily's New Coaches]], [[Percy Gets it Right]], [[Bill, Ben and Fergus]] {{Mentioned}}, [[The Old Bridge]], [[Edward's Brass Band]], [[What's the Matter with Henry?]], [[James and the Queen of Sodor]], [[The Refreshment Lady's Tea Shop]], [[The Spotless Record]], [[Toby's Windmill]], [[Bad Day at Castle Loch]], [[Rheneas and the Roller Coaster]], [[Salty's Stormy Tale]], [[Snow Engine]], [[Something Fishy]], [[The Runaway Elephant]], [[Peace and Quiet]], [[Fergus Breaks the Rules]], [[Bulgy Rides Again]], [[Harold and the Flying Horse]], [[The Grand Opening]], [[Best Dressed Engine]] {{Mentioned}}, [[Gordon and Spencer]], [[Not So Hasty Puddings]], [[Trusty Rusty]] and [[Three Cheers for Thomas]]
 
* '''[[Series 7]]''' - [[Emily's New Coaches]], [[Percy Gets it Right]], [[Bill, Ben and Fergus]] {{Mentioned}}, [[The Old Bridge]], [[Edward's Brass Band]], [[What's the Matter with Henry?]], [[James and the Queen of Sodor]], [[The Refreshment Lady's Tea Shop]], [[The Spotless Record]], [[Toby's Windmill]], [[Bad Day at Castle Loch]], [[Rheneas and the Roller Coaster]], [[Salty's Stormy Tale]], [[Snow Engine]], [[Something Fishy]], [[The Runaway Elephant]], [[Peace and Quiet]], [[Fergus Breaks the Rules]], [[Bulgy Rides Again]], [[Harold and the Flying Horse]], [[The Grand Opening]], [[Best Dressed Engine]] {{Mentioned}}, [[Gordon and Spencer]], [[Not So Hasty Puddings]], [[Trusty Rusty]] and [[Three Cheers for Thomas]]
Line 195: Line 203:
 
* '''[[Series 14]]''' - [[Thomas' Tall Friend]], [[James in the Dark]], [[Pingy Pongy Pick Up]], [[Charlie and Eddie]], [[Toby and the Whistling Woods]], [[Henry's Health and Safety]], [[Diesel's Special Delivery]], [[Pop Goes Thomas]], [[Victor Says Yes]], [[Thomas in Charge]], [[Being Percy]], [[Thomas' Crazy Day]], [[Merry Winter Wish]], [[Thomas and the Snowman Party]], [[Jumping Jobi Wood!]], [[Thomas and Scruff]] {{Mentioned}}, [[O the Indignity]], [[Jitters and Japes]], [[Merry Misty Island]] and [[Henry's Magic Box]]
 
* '''[[Series 14]]''' - [[Thomas' Tall Friend]], [[James in the Dark]], [[Pingy Pongy Pick Up]], [[Charlie and Eddie]], [[Toby and the Whistling Woods]], [[Henry's Health and Safety]], [[Diesel's Special Delivery]], [[Pop Goes Thomas]], [[Victor Says Yes]], [[Thomas in Charge]], [[Being Percy]], [[Thomas' Crazy Day]], [[Merry Winter Wish]], [[Thomas and the Snowman Party]], [[Jumping Jobi Wood!]], [[Thomas and Scruff]] {{Mentioned}}, [[O the Indignity]], [[Jitters and Japes]], [[Merry Misty Island]] and [[Henry's Magic Box]]
 
* '''[[Series 15]]''' - [[Gordon and Ferdinand]], [[Toby and Bash]], [[Emily and Dash]], [[Edward the Hero]], [[James to the Rescue]], [[Up, Up and Away!]], [[Henry's Happy Coal]], [[Let it Snow]], [[Spencer the Grand]], [[Stop That Bus!]], [[Stuck on You]], [[Wonky Whistle]], [[Percy the Snowman]], [[Tree Trouble]] and [[Fiery Flynn]]
 
* '''[[Series 15]]''' - [[Gordon and Ferdinand]], [[Toby and Bash]], [[Emily and Dash]], [[Edward the Hero]], [[James to the Rescue]], [[Up, Up and Away!]], [[Henry's Happy Coal]], [[Let it Snow]], [[Spencer the Grand]], [[Stop That Bus!]], [[Stuck on You]], [[Wonky Whistle]], [[Percy the Snowman]], [[Tree Trouble]] and [[Fiery Flynn]]
* '''[[Series 16]]''' - [[Race to the Rescue]], [[Express Coming Through]], [[Percy and the Monster of Brendam]] {{Cameo}}, [[Ho Ho Snowman]] {{Mentioned}}, [[Flash Bang Wallop!]], [[Thomas and the Rubbish Train]], [[Percy and the Calliope]], [[Thomas and the Sounds of Sodor]], [[Salty's Surprise]], [[Sodor Surprise Day]], [[Emily's Winter Party Special]], [[Muddy Matters]], [[Whiff's Wish]], [[Welcome Stafford]], [[Don't Bother Victor!]] {{Mentioned}} and [[Happy Birthday Sir!]]
+
* '''[[Series 16]]''' - [[Race to the Rescue]], [[Express Coming Through]], [[Percy and the Monster of Brendam]] {{Cameo}}, [[Ho Ho Snowman]] {{Mentioned}}, [[Flash Bang Wallop!]], [[Thomas and the Rubbish Train]], [[Percy and the Calliope]], [[Thomas and the Sounds of Sodor]], [[Salty's Surprise]], [[Sodor Surprise Day]], [[Emily's Winter Party Special]], [[Muddy Matters]], [[Whiff's Wish]], [[Welcome Stafford!]], [[Don't Bother Victor!]] {{Mentioned}} and [[Happy Birthday Sir!]]
 
* '''[[Series 17]]''' - [[Kevin's Cranky Friend]], [[Scruff's Makeover]], [[Wayward Winston]], [[Gordon Runs Dry]] {{Mentioned}}, [[Calm Down Caitlin]], [[Steamie Stafford]], [[Henry's Hero]], [[Not Now, Charlie!]], [[The Lost Puff]], [[The Thomas Way]], [[The Phantom Express]], [[Percy's Lucky Day]], [[Bill or Ben?]], [[Too Many Fire Engines]], [[No Snow for Thomas]], [[Santa's Little Engine]], [[The Missing Christmas Decorations]] {{Does not speak}}, [[The Frozen Turntable]], [[Away From the Sea]], [[Gone Fishing (episode)|Gone Fishing]], [[The Afternoon Tea Express]], [[The Smelly Kipper]], [[No More Mr. Nice Engine]] and [[Thomas' Shortcut]]
 
* '''[[Series 17]]''' - [[Kevin's Cranky Friend]], [[Scruff's Makeover]], [[Wayward Winston]], [[Gordon Runs Dry]] {{Mentioned}}, [[Calm Down Caitlin]], [[Steamie Stafford]], [[Henry's Hero]], [[Not Now, Charlie!]], [[The Lost Puff]], [[The Thomas Way]], [[The Phantom Express]], [[Percy's Lucky Day]], [[Bill or Ben?]], [[Too Many Fire Engines]], [[No Snow for Thomas]], [[Santa's Little Engine]], [[The Missing Christmas Decorations]] {{Does not speak}}, [[The Frozen Turntable]], [[Away From the Sea]], [[Gone Fishing (episode)|Gone Fishing]], [[The Afternoon Tea Express]], [[The Smelly Kipper]], [[No More Mr. Nice Engine]] and [[Thomas' Shortcut]]
 
* '''[[Series 18]]''' - [[Old Reliable Edward]] {{Mentioned}}, [[Signals Crossed]], [[Toad's Adventure]], [[Duck in the Water]], [[Duck and the Slip Coaches]], [[Thomas the Quarry Engine]], [[Thomas and the Emergency Cable]], [[Spencer's VIP]], [[Long Lost Friend]], [[Last Train for Christmas]], [[Duncan the Humbug]] {{Mentioned}}, [[The Perfect Gift]] {{Does not speak}}, [[Emily Saves the World]], [[Timothy and the Rainbow Truck]], [[Marion and the Dinosaurs]] {{Mentioned}}, [[Samson at Your Service]], [[Samson Sent for Scrap]] and [[Millie and the Volcano]]
 
* '''[[Series 18]]''' - [[Old Reliable Edward]] {{Mentioned}}, [[Signals Crossed]], [[Toad's Adventure]], [[Duck in the Water]], [[Duck and the Slip Coaches]], [[Thomas the Quarry Engine]], [[Thomas and the Emergency Cable]], [[Spencer's VIP]], [[Long Lost Friend]], [[Last Train for Christmas]], [[Duncan the Humbug]] {{Mentioned}}, [[The Perfect Gift]] {{Does not speak}}, [[Emily Saves the World]], [[Timothy and the Rainbow Truck]], [[Marion and the Dinosaurs]] {{Mentioned}}, [[Samson at Your Service]], [[Samson Sent for Scrap]] and [[Millie and the Volcano]]
Line 202: Line 210:
 
* '''[[Series 21]]''' - [[Dowager Hatt's Busy Day]], [[P.A. Problems]], [[Hasty Hannah]], [[Cranky at the End of the Line]], [[Unscheduled Stops]], [[Philip's Number]], [[The Fastest Red Engine on Sodor]], [[A Shed for Edward]], [[The Big Freeze]], [[Terence Breaks the Ice]] and [[Confused Coaches]]
 
* '''[[Series 21]]''' - [[Dowager Hatt's Busy Day]], [[P.A. Problems]], [[Hasty Hannah]], [[Cranky at the End of the Line]], [[Unscheduled Stops]], [[Philip's Number]], [[The Fastest Red Engine on Sodor]], [[A Shed for Edward]], [[The Big Freeze]], [[Terence Breaks the Ice]] and [[Confused Coaches]]
 
* '''[[Series 22]]''' - [[Number One Engine]] {{Note|fantasy}}, [[Forever and Ever]], [[Confusion Without Delay]], [[Trusty Trunky]] {{Note|fantasy}}, [[An Engine of Many Colours]], [[Apology Impossible]], [[Samson and the Fireworks]], [[Thomas' Animal Ark]], [[Rosie is Red]], [[Banjo and the Bushfire]] {{Note|fantasy}} and [[Counting on Nia]]
 
* '''[[Series 22]]''' - [[Number One Engine]] {{Note|fantasy}}, [[Forever and Ever]], [[Confusion Without Delay]], [[Trusty Trunky]] {{Note|fantasy}}, [[An Engine of Many Colours]], [[Apology Impossible]], [[Samson and the Fireworks]], [[Thomas' Animal Ark]], [[Rosie is Red]], [[Banjo and the Bushfire]] {{Note|fantasy}} and [[Counting on Nia]]
* '''[[Series 23]]''' - [[Free the Roads]], [[Chucklesome Trucks]], [[Gordon Gets the Giggles]], [[Diesel Do Right]], [[Panicky Percy]], [[All Tracks Lead to Rome]] {{Note|fantasy}} and [[Mines of Mystery]] {{Note|statue}}
+
* '''[[Series 23]]''' - [[Free the Roads]], [[Chucklesome Trucks]], [[Gordon Gets the Giggles]], [[Diesel Do Right]], [[Steam Team to the Rescue]], [[Panicky Percy]], [[All Tracks Lead to Rome]] {{Note|fantasy}} and [[Mines of Mystery]] {{Note|statue}}
  +
* '''[[Series 24]]''' - [[The Royal Engine]] and [[Marvelous Machinery]]
 
He will appear in the [[Series 24|twenty-fourth series]].
 
   
 
====Specials====
 
====Specials====
Line 253: Line 260:
 
* '''Series 21''' - [[Set Friendship in Motion]], [[Doing it Right]] and [[Little Engines]]
 
* '''Series 21''' - [[Set Friendship in Motion]], [[Doing it Right]] and [[Little Engines]]
 
* '''Big World! Big Adventures!''' - [[Where in the World is Thomas?]]
 
* '''Big World! Big Adventures!''' - [[Where in the World is Thomas?]]
* '''Series 22''' - [[Set Friendship in Motion]], [[The Journey Never Ends]], [[Engine Roll Call]], [[All the Girls Around the World]], [[The Steam Team (song)|The Steam Team]] and [[Let's Dream]]
+
* '''Series 22''' - [[Big World! Big Adventures! (Theme Song)|Big World! Big Adventures!]], [[The Journey Never Ends]], [[Engine Roll Call]], [[All the Girls Around the World]], [[The Steam Team (song)|The Steam Team]] and [[Let's Dream]]
   
 
====[[Learning Segments]]====
 
====[[Learning Segments]]====
Line 265: Line 272:
 
* '''2016''' - [[Thomas & Friends in 4-D: Bubbling Boilers]], [[DC Super Friends™ San Diego Comic Con]] and [[Meet the Contenders#Henry of Sodor|Henry of Sodor]] {{Mentioned}}
 
* '''2016''' - [[Thomas & Friends in 4-D: Bubbling Boilers]], [[DC Super Friends™ San Diego Comic Con]] and [[Meet the Contenders#Henry of Sodor|Henry of Sodor]] {{Mentioned}}
 
* '''2017''' - [[Thomas & Friends Adventures Shorts#Shark Escape|Shark Escape]] {{Mentioned}}, [[Thomas & Friends Adventures Shorts#Space Mission|Space Mission]]
 
* '''2017''' - [[Thomas & Friends Adventures Shorts#Shark Escape|Shark Escape]] {{Mentioned}}, [[Thomas & Friends Adventures Shorts#Space Mission|Space Mission]]
* '''2018''' - [[Thomas' Aussie Football Adventure#Thomas and the Brownlow Medal|Thomas and the Brownlow Medal]] {{Mentioned}} and [[Meet the Characters!#Meet Rebecca of England!|Meet Rebecca of England!]] {{Cameo}} [[Thomas' Great Big World#Meet the New Steam Team|Meet the New Steam Team]] {{Cameo}}, [[Thomas' Great Big World#Still the Best of Friends|Still the Best of Friends]] {{Does not speak}}, [[Thomas' Great Big World#Animals Around the World|Animals Around the World]] {{Cameo}}, [[Thomas' Great Big World#Different Ways to See the World|Different Ways to See the World]] and [[Share a selfie for Children In Need!]]
+
* '''2018''' - [[Thomas' Aussie Football Adventure#Thomas and the Brownlow Medal|Thomas and the Brownlow Medal]] {{Mentioned}} and [[Meet the Characters!#Meet Rebecca of England!|Meet Rebecca of England!]] {{Cameo}} [[Thomas' Great Big World#Meet the New Steam Team|Meet the New Steam Team]] {{Cameo}}, [[Thomas' Great Big World#Still the Best of Friends|Still the Best of Friends]] {{Does not speak}}, [[Thomas' Great Big World#Animals Around the World|Animals Around the World]] {{Cameo}}, [[Thomas' Great Big World#Different Ways to See the World|Different Ways to See the World]] and [[Share a Selfie For Children In Need!]]
 
*'''2019''' - [[Meet the Steam Team#Meet James|Meet James]] and [[Meet the Steam Team#Meet Gordon|Meet Gordon]] {{Cameo}}
 
*'''2019''' - [[Meet the Steam Team#Meet James|Meet James]] and [[Meet the Steam Team#Meet Gordon|Meet Gordon]] {{Cameo}}
 
}}
 
}}
Line 308: Line 315:
 
{{Scroll box|
 
{{Scroll box|
 
===[[Annuals|Annual stories]]===
 
===[[Annuals|Annual stories]]===
* '''1985''' - [[Percy to the Rescue]], [[Thomas and the Important Visitor]], [[Donald's Duck (annual story)|Donald's Duck]] (''mentioned'') and [[Gale Warning]]
+
* '''1985''' - [[Percy to the Rescue]], [[Thomas and the Important Visitor]], [[Donald's Duck (annual story)|Donald's Duck]] {{Mentioned}} and [[Gale Warning]]
* '''1986''' - [[Percy and the Christmas Tree]] (''mentioned''), [[Old Groaner]] and [[Gordon's Stowaway]] (''mentioned'')
+
* '''1986''' - [[Percy and the Christmas Tree]] {{Mentioned}}, [[Old Groaner]] and [[Gordon's Stowaway]] {{Mentioned}}
* '''1987''' - [[Donald and the Lost Tarpaulin]] (''mentioned''), [[Signal Failure]] and [[Percy's Passengers]] (''mentioned'')
+
* '''1987''' - [[Donald and the Lost Tarpaulin]] {{Mentioned}}, [[Signal Failure]] and [[Percy's Passengers]] {{Mentioned}}
* '''1988''' - [[Responsibilities]] (''mentioned'') and [[Thomas and Trevor (Annual story)|Thomas and Trevor]] (''mentioned'')
+
* '''1988''' - [[Responsibilities]] {{Mentioned}} and [[Thomas and Trevor (Annual story)|Thomas and Trevor]] {{Mentioned}}
* '''1989''' - [[Trapped by Trees]] (''mentioned''), [[Post Early for Christmas]] (''mentioned'') and [[Harold and the Landslide]] (''mentioned'')
+
* '''1989''' - [[Trapped by Trees]] {{Mentioned}}, [[Post Early for Christmas]] (''mentioned'') and [[Harold and the Landslide]] {{Mentioned}}
* '''1990''' - [[Thomas and the Cricketers]] (''mentioned''), [[Hosepipes and Shunters]] (''mentioned''), [[Old Square Wheels]] (''mentioned'') and [[Points of No Return]]
+
* '''1990''' - [[Thomas and the Cricketers]] {{Mentioned}}, [[Hosepipes and Shunters]] {{Mentioned}}, [[Old Square Wheels]] {{Mentioned}} and [[Points of No Return]]
* '''1992''' - [[Percy and the Vicar's Prizes]] and [[Galloping Sausage]] (''mentioned'')
+
* '''1992''' - [[Percy and the Vicar's Prizes]] and [[Galloping Sausage]] {{Mentioned}}
* '''1993''' - [[James' Traffic Jam]], [[Thomas and the Snow Block]], [[Oliver Gets the Bird (1993)|Oliver Gets the Bird]] (''mentioned'') and [[The Hut that Walked by Itself]] (''mentioned'')
+
* '''1993''' - [[James' Traffic Jam]], [[Thomas and the Snow Block]] {{Not seen}}, [[Oliver Gets the Bird (1993)|Oliver Gets the Bird]] {{Mentioned}} and [[The Hut that Walked by Itself]] {{Mentioned}}
* '''1994''' - [[Thomas and the Tickles]] (''mentioned''), [[James' Rest Cure (1994)|James' Rest Cure]] and [[Bertie the Snow Bus]]
+
* '''1994''' - [[Thomas and the Tickles]] {{Mentioned}}, [[James' Rest Cure (1994)|James' Rest Cure]] and [[Bertie the Snow Bus]] {{Not seen}}
 
* '''1995''' - [[Easter Egg Special]] [[The Picnic Express]] and [[Thank You, Thomas and Toby]]
 
* '''1995''' - [[Easter Egg Special]] [[The Picnic Express]] and [[Thank You, Thomas and Toby]]
* '''1996''' - [[James Gets Cracking]], [[Rings a Bell!]], [[All Pull Together]] (''not seen''), [[The Wrong Shirt]] and [[Pantomime Pranks]]
+
* '''1996''' - [[James Gets Cracking]], [[Rings a Bell!]], [[All Pull Together]] {{Not seen}}, [[The Wrong Shirt]] and [[Pantomime Pranks]]
* '''1997''' - [[Percy in Print]] and [[We Wish You a Merry Christmas!]]
+
* '''1997''' - [[Ice Magic]] {{Not seen}}, [[Percy in Print]], [[Skarloey Gets a Scare!]] {{Mentioned}}, [[Edward Saves the Day]], [[Pipe Dreams]] {{Not seen}} and [[We Wish You a Merry Christmas!]] {{Not seen}}
* '''1998''' - [[Engines to the Rescue (Annual story)|Engines to the Rescue]], [[Henry Scores a Goal]] and [[The Star of the Show]]
+
* '''1998''' - [[Engines to the Rescue (Annual story)|Engines to the Rescue]], [[Henry Scores a Goal]] {{cameo}}, [[Percy Plays a Joke]] and [[The Star of the Show]]
* '''1999''' - [[Blooming Railways]] (''does not speak'') and [[Blowing Bubbles]]
+
* '''1999''' - [[Blooming Railways]] {{Does not speak}} and [[Blowing Bubbles]]
* '''2000''' - [[Thomas the Famous Engine]], [[Double Trouble (annual story)|Double Trouble]], [[The Flood]] and [[Star Engines]]
+
* '''2000''' - [[Thomas the Famous Engine]], [[Double Trouble (annual story)|Double Trouble]], [[Buzzing Bees!]] {{Mentioned}}, [[The Flood]] and [[Star Engines]]
 
* '''2001''' - [[Very Special Engines]], [[Thomas the Famous Engine (2001)|Thomas the Famous Engine]] and [[Donald and Douglas (annual story)|Donald and Douglas]]
 
* '''2001''' - [[Very Special Engines]], [[Thomas the Famous Engine (2001)|Thomas the Famous Engine]] and [[Donald and Douglas (annual story)|Donald and Douglas]]
* '''2002''' - [[Terence to the Rescue]] (''does not speak''), [[Percy's Dream]] (''does not speak'') and [[Harold the Helicopter (Annual story)|Harold the Helicopter]]
+
* '''2002''' - [[Terence to the Rescue]] {{Does not speak}}, [[Percy's Dream]] {{Does not speak}} and [[Harold the Helicopter (Annual story)|Harold the Helicopter]]
 
* '''2011''' - Hiro Helps Out
 
* '''2011''' - Hiro Helps Out
 
* '''2013''' - [[Gordon's Shortcut]] and Hiro Helps Out
 
* '''2013''' - [[Gordon's Shortcut]] and Hiro Helps Out
Line 332: Line 339:
   
 
==Voice Actors==
 
==Voice Actors==
* [[Keith Wickham]] (''UK; Hero of the Rails onwards - US; The Adventure Begins onwards'')
+
* [[Keith Wickham]] {{Note|UK; Hero of the Rails onwards - US; The Adventure Begins onwards}}
* [[Kerry Shale]] (''US; Hero of the Rails - eighteenth series'')
+
* [[Kerry Shale]] {{Note|US; Hero of the Rails - eighteenth series}}
* [[Blas García]] (''Latin America; Hero of the Rails onwards'')
+
* [[Blas García]] {{Note|Latin America; Hero of the Rails onwards}}
* [[Kōhei Miyauchi]] (''Japan; first - fourth series'')
+
* [[Kōhei Miyauchi]] {{Note|Japan; first - fourth series}}
* [[Takeshi Aono]] (''Japan; fifth - eighth series'')
+
* [[Takeshi Aono]] {{Note|Japan; fifth - eighth series}}
* [[Rokurō Naya]] (''Japan; Calling All Engines! - Samson at Your Service, excluding Tale of the Brave'')
+
* [[Rokurō Naya]] {{Note|Japan; Calling All Engines! - Samson at Your Service, excluding Tale of the Brave}}
* [[Kan Tanaka]] (''Japan; Tale of the Brave and Samson Sent for Scrap onwards'')
+
* [[Kan Tanaka]] {{Note|Japan; Tale of the Brave and Samson Sent for Scrap onwards}}
* [[Øyvind Borgemoen Lyse]] (''Norway; Hero of the Rails - Tale of the Brave'')
+
* [[Øyvind Borgemoen Lyse]] {{Note|Norway; Hero of the Rails - Tale of the Brave}}
* [[Fredrik Steen]] (''Norway; eighteenth series onwards'')
+
* [[Fredrik Steen]] {{Note|Norway; eighteenth series onwards}}
* [[Bernard Demory]] (''France and French speaking Canada; sixth series onwards; excluding eight-twelfth series'')
+
* [[Bernard Demory]] {{Note|France and French speaking Canada; sixth series onwards; excluding eighth-twelfth series}}
* [[Michel Lasorne]] (''France and French speaking Canada; eighth - twelfth series'')
+
* [[Michel Lasorne]] {{Note|France and French speaking Canada; eighth - twelfth series}}
* [[Enzo Avolio]] (''Italy'')
+
* [[Enzo Avolio]] {{Note|Italy}}
* [[Eberhard Haar]] (''Germany; Hero of the Rails onwards'')
+
* [[Eberhard Haar]] {{Note|Germany; Hero of the Rails onwards}}
* [[Thomas Fritsch]] (''Germany; Audio Books: 1 - 5 only'')
+
* [[Jürgen Holdorf]] {{Note|Germany; Singing voice; Big World! Big Adventures!}}
* [[Jörg Gillner]] - (''Germany; Audio Books: 6 - 16 only'')
+
* [[Thomas Fritsch]] {{Note|Germany; Audio Books: 1 - 5 only}}
  +
* [[Jörg Gillner]] - {{Note|Germany; Audio Books: 6 - 16 only}}
* [[Aku Laitinen]] (''Finland)''
+
* [[Aku Laitinen]] {{Note|Finland}}
* [[Mikołaj Klimek]] (''Poland'')
 
* [[Nir Ron]] (''Israel'')
+
* [[Mikołaj Klimek]] {{Note|Poland}}
  +
* [[Nir Ron]] {{Note|Israel}}
* [[Maarten Wansink]] (''The Netherlands'')
+
* [[Maarten Wansink]] {{Note|The Netherlands}}
* [[Troells Toya]] (''Denmark'')
+
* [[Troells Toya]] {{Note|Denmark}}
* [[Luiz Carlos de Morais]] (''Brazil; twelfth series onwards'')
 
* [[Roberto Cuadrado]] (''Spain; Hero of the Rails onwards'')
+
* [[Luiz Carlos de Morais]] {{Note|Brazil; twelfth series onwards}}
  +
* [[Roberto Cuadrado]] {{Note|Spain; Hero of the Rails onwards}}
* [[Farago Andras]] (''Hungary'')
 
* [[Rin Tripa]] (''Romania'')
+
* [[Farago Andras]] {{Note|Hungary}}
* [[Alexander Kotov]] (''Russia'')
+
* [[Rin Tripa]] {{Note|Romania}}
  +
* [[Alexander Kotov]] {{Note|Russia}}
* [[Um Sang-hyun]] (''South Korea'')
+
* [[Um Sang-hyun]] {{Note|South Korea}}
* [[Loukas Frangoulis]] (''Greece'')
+
* [[Loukas Frangoulis]] {{Note|Greece}}
   
 
==Trivia==
 
==Trivia==
Line 380: Line 388:
 
* Sir Topham Hatt is the only named human character to appear and speak in every series of the television series.
 
* Sir Topham Hatt is the only named human character to appear and speak in every series of the television series.
 
* Between the thirteenth and fifteenth series, Hero of the Rails to Tale of the Brave, Sir Topham Hatt was the only character from the model series to still be voiced by the narrator in the CGI Series in the Finnish dub.
 
* Between the thirteenth and fifteenth series, Hero of the Rails to Tale of the Brave, Sir Topham Hatt was the only character from the model series to still be voiced by the narrator in the CGI Series in the Finnish dub.
  +
* A running gag throughout the series is the constant loss of his hat.
   
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
Line 422: Line 431:
 
* [[LEGO]] {{Discontinued}}
 
* [[LEGO]] {{Discontinued}}
 
* [[Wood]]
 
* [[Wood]]
* [[Minis]] {{Note|only in the Target Blast Stunt set}}
+
* [[Minis]] {{Note|only in the Target Blast Stunt set and Fizz 'n Go Mega Pack}}
   
 
[[de:Sir Topham Hatt]]
 
[[de:Sir Topham Hatt]]

Revision as of 17:25, 17 February 2020

Main Page
Gallery

For other uses, see Sir Topham Hatt (disambiguation).

Sir Topham Hatt, nicknamed "The Fat Controller" (previously known as "The Fat Director"), is the manager of the North Western Railway and a father figure to his engines.

The Fat Controllers

So far, there have been three controllers in charge of the North Western Railway.

Sir Topham Hatt I (1880-1956)

Topham Hatt was apprenticed at the Great Western Railway's Swindon Works in 1894 at the age of fourteen. During his time there, he seems to have struck up a friendship with William A. Stanier, a fellow apprentice. The story current at Crovan's Gate Works is that on at least one occasion, perhaps more, the future Sir Topham was able to help the future, Sir William, to escape the consequences of what might have been a serious scrape. Due to his training at Swindon, he always admired things Great Western.

He came to Sodor in 1901 and joined A. W. Dry & Co., a firm of drainage engineers, at Tidmouth. On their recommendation, he became an engineer to the Tidmouth, Knapford and Elsbridge Light Railway in 1910, the Tidmouth, Wellsworth & Suddery in 1912 and the North Western Railway upon its formation in 1914. On the North Western Railway, he rose to be General Manager in 1923, Managing Director in 1936 and upon Nationalisation in 1948, he was created a baronet on his appointment as Chairman of the Regional Executive.

For A.W. Dry & Co., he built a series of four vertical boiler engines known as Coffee Pots between 1905 and 1908, which were used by the TK&ER. After an Autumn gale in 1908, he directed unemployed miners in cutting a tunnel through the ridge south of Tidmouth. In 1915, for the NWR, he designed a double-tracked Scherzer Rolling Lift Bridge of 120 ft span to cross the Walney Channel. Sometime after this, he was appointed a director of the Company.

When the Railway was suffering from a locomotive crisis in the early 1920s, he was responsible for acquiring new engines. During this time, he made one of his rare bad bargains when he purchased Henry instead of the Robinson Atlantic he wanted. He remembered the mistake with sorrow for the rest of his days and was so angry at having been “done” that he would never admit who it was who had swindled him. No-one was better pleased than Topham Hatt when the Killdane accident occurred in 1935. Using his connections with William Stanier, now CME of the LMS, he was able to have Henry completely rebuilt at Crewe Works.

In 1953, when The Queen visited Sodor in Coronation year he had the honour of welcoming her to Tidmouth, having been previously presented to Her Majesty by Viscount Harwick, the Governor, who was also his son-in-law.

He retired in 1954 in favour of his son Charles, whom the Board had no hesitation in electing as his successor. It is no exaggeration to say that the present prosperity of the Railway is almost entirely due to his initiative and resource.

He married Jane, sister of Sir Handel Brown in 1910 and they had two children, Barbara Jane (born 1911), who married Henry Regaby in 1938 and Charles Topham. He died at Wellsworth in 1956 at the age of 76.

In The Three Railway Engines and Thomas the Tank Engine, he was nicknamed "The Fat Director" before his nickname changed to "The Fat Controller" in James the Red Engine.

Sir Charles Topham Hatt II (1914-1997)

Sir Charles Topham Hatt was the second Fat Controller from 1954 to 1984, when he retired in favour of his own son.

Charles Topham Hatt was educated at Abbey School, Cronk and from there went to Crewe Works as an engineering pupil under Mr. William Stanier in 1932. He was present during Henry's rebuilding in 1935. In 1937, he was recommended for railway service overseas by Mr. Stanier, but he returned in 1939 to enlist in the Royal Engineers, serving with them throughout the Second World War. He was demobilised in 1945 with the rank of Colonel.

He spent a further period overseas, before returning to Sodor in 1952 to become Chief Mechanical Engineer at Crovan's Gate Works and general assistant to his ageing father. Following his father's retirement in 1954, the Board had no hesitation in electing him as Controller.

During his period of office, he began improvements to the harbour at Knapford, planned by his father and reopened the Arlesburgh branch in 1965/6, being responsible for the construction of the Arlesdale Railway and for establishing the ballast consortium which uses it.

His cousin, Sir Handel Lloyd Brown II, was born in 1924. He married Amanda Croarie in 1940 and they had two children, Stephen Topham, born in 1941 and Bridget, born in 1943. Charles inherited his father's baronetcy in 1956.

Sir Stephen Topham Hatt III (1941-)

Sir Stephen Topham Hatt (who first appeared in Toby the Tram Engine while on a family holiday in East Anglia with his sister and grandparents) became the third Fat Controller in 1984, succeeding to his father's baronetcy in 1997. In 1970, he married Helen Margaret, a distant cousin and granddaughter of the Reverend Nicholas Dreswick, the much-respected historian of Sodor. They had three children: Richard Topham (1972-), Charles Nicholas (1974-) and Emily Helen (1977-).

With great skill, he masterminded the arrangements for the royal visit in 1995, when he welcomed the Prince of Wales on his first visit to Sodor.

Richard Topham is no doubt destined to be Sir Topham Hatt IV, but when is yet to be known. In Sodor: Reading Between the Lines, it was last heard that his father was 64 in 2005 and had not given any hint of a retirement. As of 2019, it is unknown if he is still acting as the controller.

Gallery

Sir Topham Hatt in Thomas & Friends

In Thomas & Friends, there is only one Sir Topham Hatt. He can be described as a combination of the three controllers from the Railway Series. His full name has been given as Sir Bertram Topham Hatt.

In his youth, he was a Boy Scout. Prior to him becoming Controller of the North Western Railway, Sir Topham Hatt owned a Sentinel steam lorry named Elizabeth, who notes that he was not the best driver. When he was a young man, Edward always took him aboard an old coach on his birthday. He also built the Coffee Pots some time prior to Thomas arriving on Sodor. Sir Topham later received his knighthood for his services to the railway industry. He was also the controller of the Skarloey Railway, until Mr. Percival was hired to help him manage the ever-increasing size of his railway industry. Prior to Blue Mountain Mystery, he bought a track inspection car named Winston, who is often used as a private transportation vehicle on the railway.

Sir Topham Hatt married Lady Hatt and is the grandfather of Stephen and Bridget Hatt. He has a twin brother, Sir Lowham Hatt and his mother is Dowager Hatt. According to the Official Website, "we have yet to meet his children".

As well as owning the railway, he owns a cat and a blue car and lives in a mansion somewhere on the outskirts of Wellsworth.

Personality

Sir Topham Hatt is firm but funny and fair. He can be strict, but with a good reason and he deeply cares about the engines and also shows a fatherly side to them. He is quite a strong character and will remind the engines that he is in charge if they start to rebel against his authority. He does not stand bullying and even though he is usually serious, he does enjoy a good jolly laugh.

Despite his kindness and fairness, however, there are times where Sir Topham Hatt berates the engines for situations beyond their control. Like any son, he does hold a slight bit of respect for his mother, Dowager Hatt. But like all parental relationships, there are some things he finds more personal than others.

At times, Sir Topham Hatt can be the comic relief character, having high levels of irony and occasional slapstick. He can also be overhasty and forgetful at times and misplace priorities.

Attire

Sir Topham Hatt is a short, chubby gentleman. He usually wears morning dress, consisting of grey trousers, a white shirt, a black tie, a cream, yellow, blue, purple or grey waistcoat, a black tailcoat and a black top hat. He is most often depicted as having thinning grey, black or brown hair and brown eyes.

Appearances

The Railway Series

Companion Volumes

Thomas & Friends

Specials

Music Videos

Learning Segments

Videos

Magazine stories

Sir Topham Hatt also appeared in the magazine stories, Thomas and the Baby, A Colourful Christmas, A Friend's Party, A Hole in One, A Job for James, A Perfect Garden, A Puzzle for Percy, A Special Story about Guards and Porters, An Old Friend, Arthur and Emily, Back-to-Front, Bertie's Bad Day, Big Catch, Bill and BoCo, Blowing About!, Building Blues!, Bulgy's Dream, Bulstrode the Engine, Bumpers and Buffers, Catch!, Caught Out, Chiff Chaff, Christmas Puddings, Clever Carriages, Clever Climbers!, Clowning Around, Daisy's Day, Diesel's Drums, Diesel's Nasty Turn, Diesel Causes Delay, Diesel Display, Doctors and Nurses, Dressing Up, Edward's Scarecrow, Fair Scare!, Fast Food!, Feeding Time, Fish and Chips, Fish and Fog!, Flying James, Frying or Flying, Fun and Games!, Funnels and Tunnels, Gone Fishing, Gordon and Edward, Happy Holiday!, Harold and the Broken Tree, Hello, Skarloey!, Henry's Secret, Henry's Soaking!, Hooked Hat, I Spy with my Little Eye, James and Edward, James and the Cheese, Jim's Jungle Ride!, Just Right, Lamp Light!, Lights On, Looking Splendid, Lost Luggage!, Misbehaving, Mountains and Mess!, New Paint, On Your Guard!, Party Time!, Percy gets Wet!, Percy's House, Percy's Plight, Percy and the Trucks, Picnic Surprise, Pirate Passengers, Pot Luck!, Proud Percy!, Puzzles, Railway Open Day, Really Useful Edward, Retirement Time, Rhyming Engines, Road Ride, Road Train, Rushing Around, Rusty's Plan, Santa Special, Scaredy Puffer!, Sea-Bound Salty, Sea Sick, Seeing Steam, Ship Ahoy!, Slick Trick!, Snap Happy, Snow Engine, So Much to See, Sodor's Strong Man, Sodor's Strongest Engine, Sodor Goes Pop!, Sodor Rock, Sounds Useful, Special Treats, Spotty Spencer, Spooky Station, Station Mystery, Steaming Along!, Stick with Steam, Stolen Apples, Stormy Weather, Sunny Smile, Super Splash, Take Off with Terence, That Caps it All, The Balloon Race, The Best Band, The Best Bridge, The Best Engine, The Christmas Sacks, The Cliff Railway, The Craft Show!, The Flower Dome, The Flying Broomstick, The Grand Controller, The Great Statue Robbery, The Hallowe'en Special, The Kettle Train, The Mystery Tour, The Open Top Bus, The Poorly Engine!, The Runaway Percy, The Smugglers, The Very Important Job and Think Pink.

Annual stories

Voice Actors

Trivia

  • According to Sodor: Reading Between the Lines, the Fat Controller is based on no one in particular, though Christopher Awdry suggests his doctor at the time the character was created may have been an "unconscious contribution".
  • Due to different societal norms, the Fat Controller is always referred to by his real name, "Sir Topham Hatt" in the US.
    • Even so, in certain US episodes following the CGI series, the engines' mouths are not reanimated properly, as their mouths say "The Fat Controller" when they verbally say "Sir Topham Hatt".
    • Also, several times in the UK script, Sir Topham Hatt is addressed by his nickname in public, when it would be inappropriate. This was fixed in Blue Mountain Mystery, when Victor called the Fat Controller by his real name "Sir Topham Hatt". In The Great Race, Gordon said "Sir Topham Hatt".
  • The Fat Controller's television series model from Lady Hatt's Birthday Party appeared in the 2009 "Children in Need" charity single and was animated using stop-motion.
  • In Thomas and the Magic Railroad, Diesel 10 calls him "Fat Hatt", a combination of his nickname and his real name.
  • According to Elizabeth, Sir Topham Hatt was a bad driver in his younger days. When he is seen driving Winston, it seems his skills have not improved.
  • The Fat Controller's office set was part of an exhibit at the Hangaram Art Museum in Korea in 2010.
  • Large scale and miniature models of Sir Topham Hatt are currently in the safe hands of the Top Props preservation group, after they were sold by The Prop Gallery. A large scale walking model of Sir Topham Hatt was also sold by The Prop Gallery.
  • Throughout the television series, Sir Topham Hatt is accompanied by two men in standard blue railway uniforms. They are presumed to be his assistants. In the sixteenth series episode, Percy and the Calliope, the narrator refers to them as "helpers".
  • In the book, Thomas-saurus Rex, it states that Sir Topham Hatt used to be called "Little Topham Hatt" in his youth. His grandfather also appears in the book.
  • Sir Topham Hatt's television series model had eyebrows inconsistently. Between the sixth and eleventh series, the model mainly did not have them at all. It would not be until the CGI series that he would permanently have eyebrows.
  • The alternative rock band Catherine Wheel released a song named after the Fat Controller called "Here Comes The Fat Controller" on their 1997 album, Adam and Eve.
  • From the thirteenth series to the fifteenth series, Sir Topham Hatt was referred to as "Bertram" (not to be confused with the engine).
  • From Hero of the Rails to the eighteenth series, Sir Topham Hatt had an American accent in the US dub.
  • In most episodes and specials, Sir Topham Hatt is seen writing with his right hand. But in the nineteenth series episode, No Help At All, he is seen writing left-handed. This could likely be a mistake, but may also mean he is ambidextrous (being able to write with both hands).
  • A photo of the Fat Controller from the first series episode, Trouble in the Shed was shown on a web-exclusive video of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.
  • Sir Topham Hatt is the only named human character to appear and speak in every series of the television series.
  • Between the thirteenth and fifteenth series, Hero of the Rails to Tale of the Brave, Sir Topham Hatt was the only character from the model series to still be voiced by the narrator in the CGI Series in the Finnish dub.
  • A running gag throughout the series is the constant loss of his hat.

Quotes

“I never like these big engines. Always going wrong. Send for another engine at once!”
― Sir Topham Hatt, The Three Railway Engines
“We'll see about that, engines on My Railway do as they are told”.
―Sir Topham Hatt, Troublesome Engines
“This gentleman is a gentleman who knows how to speak to engines.”
Toby about Sir Topham Hatt, Toby the Tram Engine
The Fat Controller spoke severely to Daisy too.
"My engines do not tell lies! They work hard with no shirking. I send lazy engines away!"
"However, Toby says you worked hard yesterday, after Percy's accident. So you shall have another chance!"
"Thank you, sir! I will work hard, sir. Toby says he'll help me".
"Excellent! What Toby doesn't know about branch line problems, such as er..bulls, isn't worth knowing. Our Toby is an experienced engine!”
― Sir Topham Hatt and Daisy, "Percy's Predicament", "Branch Line Engines".
“Oh, it's you! Have you learned to drive properly yet?”
Elizabeth, Elizabeth the Vintage Lorry, sixth series
“You are lucky Gordon, to have a controller who knows how to run railways.”
Flying Scotsman, Enterprising Engines
“Hello, I'm The Fat Controller/Sir Topham Hatt. I'm the director of the railway. Nothing is more important to me and then my engines are being really useful and that means always being on time.”
― Website audio

Merchandise


* RWS only | ** T&F only | --- Dropped

* RWS only | ** T&F only

* RWS only | ** T&F only