Charles Topham Hatt

* **Died**: June 1997
* **Spouse**: Amanda Croarie
* **Married**: May 1940

Colonel **Sir Charles Topham Hatt**, 2nd Baronet, GBE, MC, nicknamed "**The Fat Controller**", was a Sudrian railway engineer, executive and military officer. He is remembered for his time as Regional General Manager of the North Western Region, where he built upon the work of his father by expanding and improving the network, and for securing its continued use of steam locomotives.

## Biography

### Early life

Charles Topham was born on 6th April 1914 at St Tibba's Hospital, Wellsworth, the second child of Topham Hatt and Jane Brown; he was baptised on the 10th of April at St Tibba's Church, with his uncle Handel Brown, his father's friend William Stanier and his wife Ella Stanier, standing as his godparents. From 1921 to 1927, Charles attend Saint Luoc's Cathedral School, before moving up to the prestigious Cronk Abbey School, from which he graduated in 1932. During his childhood, his father taught him basic engineering, and from the age of 13 he began helping out on the railway during his school holidays, usually around Wellsworth Station and Sheds.

Charles' career prospects was ultimately shaped by his father; at his insistence, he took an engineering pupilage at Crewe Works under his godfather, William Stanier, who had recently become CME of the LMS. Before he left for Crewe, Charles' father gifted him a steam lorry, Elizabeth, who would serve as his mode of transportation for the following five years. Charles proved to be a talented engineer, and Stanier arranged for him to receive some footplate training. His first real test came in 1935, Henry came from Sodor to Crewe for rebuilding; as he was familiar with the engine, Stanier allowed Charles to help on the project.

Charles would complete his pupilage with distinction in 1937, and his godfather recommended that he undertake railway service overseas. While his father was initially reluctant to allow this, wanting him to return to Sodor and help him on the North Western, Charles' eagerness to go convinced him to allow it. Stanier contacted some friends in the United States and was able to get Charles a position on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, where he would spend the following two years - during that time he gained a great appreciation for American steam locomotives. He also fell in love with an American woman, Bridget - however his father disapproved of the relationship, wanting Charles to marry a Sudrian girl. The relationship would end when Charles was forced to return to Sodor upon the outbreak of the Second World War; the Staniers were visiting the United States at the time, and Charles returned with them.

### Military service

Upon arriving in England, Charles enlisted in the Royal Engineers - with Stanier using his influence to ensure he received a commission in the Railway Division. He would undergo training at the Longmoor Military Railway, with his extensive railway experience being useful. Back home, ever since discovering his son's relationship with an American, his father had been searching for a bride for Charles - the outbreak of the war and the risk of his son dying without an heir expediting the search - ultimately choosing Amanda Croarie, a friend of Charles since childhood and daughter of a major business partner. While Charles was reluctant to be forced into marriage, he ultimately he agreed, with the service being conducted at St Tibba's Church on the 23rd of May.

Less than a month after the wedding, Charles was deployed to East Africa as part of a Royal Engineers detachment supporting troops in Kenya. In March 1941, his son Stephen Topham was born - he would not meet his son for over a year, only returning to Sodor on leave in July 1942; during that time he and his wife would conceive a second child. When Charles returned to service, he was sent to North Africa to support the Sodor Regiment - here he reunited with his friend Robert Norramby, now Earl of Sodor and a Lieutenant Colonel.

Following the end of hostilities, he was demobilised in December 1945 and returned home to spend the Christmas season with his family. This wasn't the end of his service, however, as his superiors recommended he return to assist in post-war rebuilding of Europe's railway networks - an offer which his father encouraged him the take up. In January 1946, he was appointed as a consulting engineer to the Reichsbahn in the British Occupation Zone in Germany, continuing when it was merged with the Reichsbahn in the American Occupation Zone - leaving in 1949. Following this, he would work for the SNCF in France, under the brilliant engineer Andre Chapelon. Here he was exposed both to the fantastic possibilities of new electric and diesel locomotives, but also the continued viability of steam, due to Chapelon's unparalleled steam locomotives.

### Post-war

In November 1951, Charles finally returned home, in part due to his father's ailing health, and was almost immediately thrust into a leadership role on the North Western. While some had wanted him to immediately replace his father as Regional Manager, Sir Topham argued that his son needed time to acquaint himself better with the railway first - Charles himself was in no hurry to take full control yet, wanting to spend more time with his family before being put into the top position. Ultimately, it was agreed that Charles would become Chief Mechanical Engineer and General Assistant to his father, effective 1st January 1952, replacing Kevin Farrier.

The father and son team worked well together, and they focused on preparing the railway for the future. Charles would use the knowledge he gained during his foreign service to bring the latest innovations in railway infrastructure, such as improved track work and signalling to the North Western.

## Attire

Sir Charles Topham Hatt usually wore morning dress, consisting of a black herringbone wool morning coat, with a red boutonnière on the right lapel, purple waistcoat over a white dress shirt, with a midnight blue long tie, formal striped trousers, black Oxford shoes with white spats and black silk plush top hat.