The Fat Controller

The Fat Controller (previously known as "The Fat Director is the political-correctness term to the controller of the North Western Railway: Sir Topham Hatt. There has been currently been three controllers of the NWR: Sir Topham Hatt (1923-1954), Sir Charles Topham Hatt (1954-1984), and Sir Stephen Topham Hatt (1984-). Sir Stephen Topham Hatt is the Fat Controller in The Tales of the Railways of Sodor.

Sir Topham Hatt I
Sir Topham Hatt I (1880-1956) was controller of the NWR from 1923 to 1954. He purchased Gordon, James, Percy, Toby, and Henrietta. He also arranged Henry's rebuild, helped arrange Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Sodor, and sent Edward to Crovan's Gate Works to fix his clanking issue. He retired in 1954 shortly after the events of "Edward the Blue Engine".

Sir Topham Hatt II
Sir Charles Topham Hatt (1914-1997) was controller of the NWR from 1954 to 1984. He purchased Duck, Donald and Douglas, Daisy, BoCo, Bear, Oliver, Toad, Alice and Mirabel, and Isabel and Dulcie. He also had Diesel, D199, and D4711 on trial on Sodor but none of these three caused trouble and were sent back to the Other Railway. He also was responsible for the construction of the Arlesdale Railway in 1967 for it to gather ballast needed for the NWR. During his term, he also arranged the construction of Knapford Harbour, the engines' visit to England, Thomas' running plate rebuild, Stepney's visit to Sodor, Flying Scotsman's visit to Sodor, and the re-opening of the Arlesburgh Branch Line. He retired in 1984 shortly after the events of "Really Useful Engines".

Sir Topham Hatt II
Sir Stephen Topham Hatt (1941-) is controller of the NWR since 1984. He purchased The Works Diesel and Pip and Emma. He also arranged Thomas' visit to the National Railway Museum, Wilbert's visit to the NWR, Henry's overhaul, the visit of the Royal Personage to Sodor, and the unveiling of the Thin Clergyman's bust in 2011, which was the Thin Clergyman's centenary.