Charles Topham Hatt

Sir Charles Topham Hatt, nicknamed "The Fat Controller", is the next manager of the North Western Railway.

Biography
Charles Topham Hatt was born on June 18th, 1918 at Wellsworth Hospital. His father, Bertram Topham Hatt, swore to train him to become the next controller of the railway.

In December of 1955, Charles is seen with his father who requests that he acts as guard for Henry's goods train.

Charles is not seen again until 1957, as a fully grown man who is married to Amanda Croarie, and has 2 children Stephen & Jane. Charles currently has partial control of the railway, but will not gain full control until his father retires. Bertram Hatt has just announced his full retirement, and Charles is slated to take his place. Charles appears to be very nervous to take this position and points out the flaws in his father's leaderships, claiming he's allowed larger corporations to take advantage of his indulgent personality. Charles begins to confront his father with this issue during the construction of Brendam Docks.

In 1959, Charles tells the engines that three diesels will be put on trial, but has promised that nothing will happen because he made some reforms to the Diesel contract that was signed.

Personality
Sir Charles appears to be a lot more assertive than his father, not taking deals and ideas from clients as lightly. He does appear to have father's heart and passion, but with a bit more urgency and attentiveness. He's a family man like his father, and cares greatly for his two children, Steven and Bridget. He also fell deeply in love with his wife Amanda and the feelings have yet to change.

It is likely that Charles will be horribly shaken up after the events of "Boomer's Reign" and may need some time to recover.

Engines Acquired During Tenure

 * Donald
 * Douglas
 * Oliver

Season 1

 * Sodor Then and Now 6: Little Engines (S1, E6)
 * Sodor Then and Now 7: Old Faithful (S1, E7)
 * Sodor Then and Now 8: The Work Begins (S1, E8)
 * Sodor Then and Now 9: The Caledonian Engines (S1, E9)
 * Sodor Then and Now 10: Boomer's Reign (S1, E10)

Short Films

 * Sodor Then and Now: A Time of Joy (1955)

Trivia

 * Charles was originally set to appear in 'Sodor Then and Now 2: He's Number One!' but this was changed to Bertram's brother, Lowham.
 * In Sodor Then and Now, Charles was born in 1918, contrary to Awdry's initial birthdate of 1914
 * Charles' design has changed drastically. Charles initially had much longer, shaggy brown hair similar to Peter Boomer and sported a green sweater, but this was only seen in the Short Film 'A Time of Joy'.