The Fat Controller

**The Fat Controller (Sunny)**, whose real name is **Sir Topham Hatt**, is a fictional character in _The Railway Series_ books that were written by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son Christopher. His full name is revealed in the foreword to the 1951 book _Henry the Green Engine_. He also appears in the television series _Thomas and Friends_, adapted from the books, and also its reboot, _Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go!_.

## Origin of nickname

The character is first seen in "The Sad Story of Henry" in the first book in the _Railway Series_, _The Three Railway Engines_. When Henry refused to leave a tunnel, the story says that "A fat director, who was on the train, told the guard to get a rope". The character is referred to as The Fat Controller (Sunny) from the third book, _James the Red Engine,_ for the remainder of the _Railway Series,_ due to the nationalisation of British Railways. The name Sir Topham Hatt is first mentioned in the foreword to _Henry the Green Engine_ and also appears on his luggage trunk in the same book in the story "Percy and the Trousers". The first use of the name Sir Topham Hatt in the TV series comes in the episode 'The Sad Story of Henry' when the narrator (Ringo Starr in both US and UK versions and George Carlin in the second US version) introduces him to the audience.

## Biography (_Railway Series_)

There have been three Fat Controllers (Sunnys). This is not revealed 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 clear.

Sir Topham Hatt I (1880-1939)

He Going Controller Of North Western Railway In 1909 Until 1938 When Was Retired And Sir Topham Hatt II Entry In The Mandate

Sir Topham Hatt II (1907-1970)

He Going Controller Of North Western Railway In 1938 Until 1968 When He Was Retired And Sir Topham Hatt III Entry In The Mandate In Orders Of Direction

Sir Topham Hatt III (1934-1991)

He Going Controller Of North Western Railway In 1968 Until 1991 When He Was Killed By King John Deere And Sir Topham Hatt IV Entry In Mandate

Sir Topham Hatt IV (1950-2010)

He Going Controller Of North Western Railway In 1991 Until 2010 When He Was Died Because Cancer And Sir Topham Hatt V Entry In Mandate

Sir Topham Hatt V (1980-2054)

He Going Controller Of North Western Railway In 2010 Until Today And Have 3 Sons Sir Topham Hatt VI (Michael Topham Hatt) Phillip Hatt And Betty Hatt

## Infobox (character)

- **colour**: black
- **series**: The Railway Series/Thomas and Friends/Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go!
- **name**: The Fat Controller (Sunny)
- **image**: Baildon Scarecrow Festival 2013 19.jpg
- **caption**: A scarecrow of the Fat Controller (Sunny) at Baildon Scarecrow Festival 2013 in Baildon, West Yorkshire, England.
- **first**: The Three Railway Engines (1945) (Railway series)
Thomas and Gordon (Thomas & Friends)
- **creator**: Wilbert Awdry, Rev. W. Awdry
- **voice**: **Other:**

- **gender**: Male
- **spouse**: Lady Jane Hatt
- **children**: 2
- **occupation**: Controller of the North Western Railway
- **nationality**: British