Sir Topham Hatt

Controller of the Sodor Railway

A railway executive on the Island of Sodor, leader of the engines and trucks. Emphasizes punctual operation and is strict, but a fair and generous enforcer.

Quotes

  • Confusion and delay
  • I don't run a jam factory
  • Don't make Foghorne Cyril's replacement; make Cyril Foghorne's replacement
  • I want everyone to be useful to others

Trivia

  • Name changes: Originally 'The Fat Director', later 'The Fat Controller'.
  • In the original, there are three generations of Sir Topham Hatt.
  • Owns 52 silk hats.
  • In Japanese dubbing, first-person pronoun changes from 'washi' to 'watashi' by series.
  • In the 2D anime series, 'Fat Controller' name is not used, unified to 'Sir Topham Hatt'.
  • In youth, poor at driving cars and learned from steam lorry Elizabeth.

Alternate names

サー・トップハム・ハット Fat Controller The Fat Controller ハット卿

Tags

Sodor Island Thomas the Tank Engine Railway Manager Silk Hat Locomotive Boss Sir Topham Hatt Children's Character Name Change Railway Series Family Character

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Profile

Species
Human
Gender
Male

Appearance

Overall appearance
A short middle-aged man wearing a tuxedo with a yellow vest and a black silk hat. In some works, he is depicted with a beard, but basically clean-shaven.
Distinguishing features
  • Black silk hat
  • Yellow vest
  • Presence or absence of eyebrows changes by series
Iconic items
  • Silk hat
  • Tuxedo
  • Blue sedan
  • Locomotive-patterned pajamas
  • Hats (owns 52)

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Strict
Detailed personality
Very strict about time and work, with precise and rigorous management of engines. Faces accidents and failures with a resolute attitude, while fairly evaluating engines' achievements and efforts, showing a tolerant side. Sometimes shows a clumsy side.
Keywords
  • Strict
  • Fair
  • Strong sense of responsibility
  • Generous
  • Punctuality advocate
  • Humorous
  • Proactive manager
  • Clumsy (later periods)
Motto
Be of use to others
Talents
  • Railway operation management
  • Construction skills
  • Business acumen
  • Problem-solving ability
Skills
  • Accident response
  • Personnel management
  • Traffic operation adjustment
  • Leadership
Motivation
To operate the railways of Sodor Island smoothly and safely, with the engines cooperating to fulfill their roles.
Habits
'Confusion and delay' is a catchphrase. In the Japanese version, first and second person pronouns change by series.
Favorite foods
Jam
Favorite places
Sodor Island, Topham Hall
Apparel
Silk hat, Tuxedo, Locomotive-patterned pajamas
Disliked situations
Engine delays, Confusion, Laziness, Accidents
Disliked foods
Dirty fruit

History

Backstory
In his youth, came to Sodor Island as a railway engineer and was put in charge of operating the North Western Railway, becoming the manager. Even after nationalization, continued managing railway operations, with the same name inherited over three generations (original setting). In the TV series, appears as a single character.
Debut date
1945
Work title
The Three Railway Engines
Media type
Manga
Episode or chapter
The Three Engines

Railway Nationalization

Significant event
Railway Nationalization
Description
In 1948, the railways were nationalized, and Sir Topham Hatt's title changed from 'The Fat Director' to 'The Fat Controller'.

TV Series Debut

Significant event
TV Series Debut
Description
Appeared in stop-motion in Thomas the Tank Engine Season 1 Episode 3 'Henry Comes Out of the Tunnel'.

2D Anime Series Renewal

Significant event
2D Anime Series Renewal
Description
In the 2021 2D anime series, the name was unified to 'Sir Topham Hatt', and the personality was depicted somewhat comically.

Relationships

Jane (wife)

Spouse

Long-time wife, living together at Topham Hall.

Lowham Hatt (brother)

Sibling

Appeared in Series 13.

Charles Topham (first generation's son), Stephen Topham (second generation's son)

Child

Inherited the manager position through the family line. Some series have a three-generation setting.

Mr. Percival

Teammate

Took over part of narrow gauge railway management, involved in railway operations together.

North Western Railway

North Western Railway: leader

Media appearances

The Railway Series

Manga / Protagonist

1945〜

Thomas the Tank Engine (Stop-motion version)

Anime / Protagonist

1984〜2008

Thomas the Tank Engine (2D anime version)

Anime / Protagonist

2021〜

Thomas the Tank Engine Feature Films

Movie / Protagonist

1986〜

Voice cast and creators

宮内幸平

Voice actor
宮内幸平
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Seasons 1-4

青野武

Voice actor
青野武
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Seasons 5-8

納谷六朗

Voice actor
納谷六朗
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Feature 2 to Season 18 (12 episodes)

田中完

Voice actor
田中完
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Feature 9, Season 18 Episode 25 to Feature 17

岡本幸輔

Voice actor
岡本幸輔
Language
Japanese
Version or series
2D Anime Series

Keith Wickham

Voice actor
Keith Wickham
Language
English
Version or series
Feature 4 - Season 24

Rob Rackstraw

Voice actor
Rob Rackstraw
Language
English
Version or series
Feature 17, Short Animation Series

Wilbert Awdry

Creator name
Wilbert Awdry
Role
Original author

Poplar Publishing

Creator name
Poplar Publishing
Role
Publisher

Related goods

Sir Topham Hatt Figure

Item name
Sir Topham Hatt Figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Sir Topham Hatt Character Stand

Item name
Sir Topham Hatt Character Stand
Category
Accessory
Availability
Regular

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