In message , at 09:44:35 on
Mon, 8 Mar 2021, Trolleybus remarked:
On 7 Mar 2021 11:02:37 GMT, Marland
wrote:

Sam Wilson wrote:
Marland wrote:
Recliner wrote:
Look what was seen coming out of the disused Gasworks Tunnel:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ev0VIp7XMAcZiim?format=jpg&name=large



Henry the Green Engine has had a make over.

Looking a bit grubby!

Sam


So was Henry when the Fat Controller eventually let him out.



Sigh. Youngsters.

When I were a lad it wasn't The Fat Controller and it certainly wasn't
Sir Topham Hat (who sounds, not coincidently, like a character from
Bridgerton).

It was The Fat Comptroller.

Notwitstanding:

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/...AC_SL1184_.jpg

I have some first edition Thomas books (plus the one with Gordon in the
tunnel: The Three Railway Engines, the first in the series) and the
person in question then was "The Fat Director".

Book 2 "The Fat Director"

Book 3 (James the Red Engine) Arghh - This one seems to be missing from
my collection. If someone has an original copy from the 50's
maybe they can look.

But by book 4 and onwrds it was "The Fat Controller".

Gordon was rehabilitated in number seven of the series (published 1953)
the forward of which says:

Dear Ian,

You asked for a book about Gordon. Here it is. Gordon has been
naughty, and The Fat Controller was stern with him.

Gordon has now learnt his lesson and is a Really Useful Engine
again.

I wonder if Andrew Lloyd Webber was a Thomas fan.
--
Roland Perry

On Mon, 8 Mar 2021 11:45:41 +0000, Roland Perry
wrote:

In message , at 09:44:35 on
Mon, 8 Mar 2021, Trolleybus remarked:
On 7 Mar 2021 11:02:37 GMT, Marland
wrote:

Sigh. Youngsters.

When I were a lad it wasn't The Fat Controller and it certainly wasn't
Sir Topham Hat (who sounds, not coincidently, like a character from
Bridgerton).

It was The Fat Comptroller.

Notwitstanding:

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/...AC_SL1184_.jpg

I have some first edition Thomas books (plus the one with Gordon in the
tunnel: The Three Railway Engines, the first in the series) and the
person in question then was "The Fat Director".

Book 2 "The Fat Director"

Book 3 (James the Red Engine) Arghh - This one seems to be missing from
my collection. If someone has an original copy from the 50's
maybe they can look.

But by book 4 and onwrds it was "The Fat Controller".

Gordon was rehabilitated in number seven of the series (published 1953)
the forward of which says:

Dear Ian,

You asked for a book about Gordon. Here it is. Gordon has been
naughty, and The Fat Controller was stern with him.

Gordon has now learnt his lesson and is a Really Useful Engine
again.

I wonder if Andrew Lloyd Webber was a Thomas fan.

That seems odd. Have any fictional characters had more names?

Were there different editions, perhaps regional? My memories would be
from copies circulating in the 60s. I didn't have a clue what a
comptroller was. I still don't other than a vague idea it's more akin
to a chief accountant that an operations person.

In message , at 08:02:52 on
Tue, 9 Mar 2021, Trolleybus remarked:
On Mon, 8 Mar 2021 11:45:41 +0000, Roland Perry
wrote:

In message , at 09:44:35 on
Mon, 8 Mar 2021, Trolleybus remarked:
On 7 Mar 2021 11:02:37 GMT, Marland
wrote:

Sigh. Youngsters.

When I were a lad it wasn't The Fat Controller and it certainly wasn't
Sir Topham Hat (who sounds, not coincidently, like a character from
Bridgerton).

It was The Fat Comptroller.

Notwitstanding:

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/...AC_SL1184_.jpg

I have some first edition Thomas books (plus the one with Gordon in the
tunnel: The Three Railway Engines, the first in the series) and the
person in question then was "The Fat Director".

Book 2 "The Fat Director"

Book 3 (James the Red Engine) Arghh - This one seems to be missing from
my collection. If someone has an original copy from the 50's
maybe they can look.

But by book 4 and onwrds it was "The Fat Controller".

Gordon was rehabilitated in number seven of the series (published 1953)
the forward of which says:

Dear Ian,

You asked for a book about Gordon. Here it is. Gordon has been
naughty, and The Fat Controller was stern with him.

Gordon has now learnt his lesson and is a Really Useful Engine
again.

I wonder if Andrew Lloyd Webber was a Thomas fan.

That seems odd. Have any fictional characters had more names?

Were there different editions, perhaps regional?

Regional books - no I don't recognise that concept.

My memories would be from copies circulating in the 60s.

Mine are from the 50's

I didn't have a clue what a comptroller was. I still don't other than a
vague idea it's more akin to a chief accountant that an operations
person.

--
Roland Perry

On 09/03/2021 08:34, Roland Perry wrote:
In message , at 08:02:52 on
Tue, 9 Mar 2021, Trolleybus remarked:
On Mon, 8 Mar 2021 11:45:41 +0000, Roland Perry
wrote:

In message , at 09:44:35 on
Mon, 8 Mar 2021, Trolleybus remarked:
On 7 Mar 2021 11:02:37 GMT, Marland
wrote:

Sigh. Youngsters.

When I were a lad it wasn't The Fat Controller and it certainly wasn't
Sir Topham Hat (who sounds, not coincidently, like a character from
Bridgerton).

It was The Fat Comptroller.

Notwitstanding:

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/...AC_SL1184_.jpg

I have some first edition Thomas books (plus the one with Gordon in the
tunnel: The Three Railway Engines, the first in the series) and the
person in question then was "The Fat Director".

Book 2 "The Fat Director"

Book 3 (James the Red Engine) Arghh - This one seems to be missing from
Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* my collection. If someone has an original copy from the 50's
Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* maybe they can look.

But by book 4 and onwrds it was "The Fat Controller".

Gordon was rehabilitated in number seven of the series (published 1953)
the forward of which says:

Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* Dear Ian,

Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* You asked for a book about Gordon. Here it is. Gordon has been
Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* naughty, and The Fat Controller was stern with him.

Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* Gordon has now learnt his lesson and is a Really Useful Engine
Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* again.

I wonder if Andrew Lloyd Webber was a Thomas fan.

That seems odd. Have any fictional characters had more names?

Were there different editions, perhaps regional?

Regional books - no I don't recognise that concept.

My memories would be from copies circulating in the 60s.

Mine are from the 50's


I've only one survivor from the 1950s, Toby The Tram Engine, he's
definitely the Fat Controller in that one.


--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

In message , at 08:48:09 on Tue, 9 Mar 2021,
Graeme Wall remarked:
On 09/03/2021 08:34, Roland Perry wrote:
In message , at 08:02:52
on Tue, 9 Mar 2021, Trolleybus remarked:
On Mon, 8 Mar 2021 11:45:41 +0000, Roland Perry
wrote:

In message , at 09:44:35 on
Mon, 8 Mar 2021, Trolleybus remarked:
On 7 Mar 2021 11:02:37 GMT, Marland
wrote:

Sigh. Youngsters.

When I were a lad it wasn't The Fat Controller and it certainly wasn't
Sir Topham Hat (who sounds, not coincidently, like a character from
Bridgerton).

It was The Fat Comptroller.

Notwitstanding:

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/...AC_SL1184_.jpg

I have some first edition Thomas books (plus the one with Gordon in the
tunnel: The Three Railway Engines, the first in the series) and the
person in question then was "The Fat Director".

Book 2 "The Fat Director"

Book 3 (James the Red Engine) Arghh - This one seems to be missing from
***** my collection. If someone has an original copy from the 50's
***** maybe they can look.

But by book 4 and onwrds it was "The Fat Controller".

Gordon was rehabilitated in number seven of the series (published 1953)
the forward of which says:

****** Dear Ian,

****** You asked for a book about Gordon. Here it is. Gordon has been
****** naughty, and The Fat Controller was stern with him.

****** Gordon has now learnt his lesson and is a Really Useful Engine
****** again.

I wonder if Andrew Lloyd Webber was a Thomas fan.

That seems odd. Have any fictional characters had more names?

Were there different editions, perhaps regional?
Regional books - no I don't recognise that concept.

My memories would be from copies circulating in the 60s.
Mine are from the 50's

I've only one survivor from the 1950s, Toby The Tram Engine, he's
definitely the Fat Controller in that one.

That's number 7, and I've already posted that the name had changed by
number 4.

The only open question is what the name was in number 3.
--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry wrote:
In message , at 08:48:09 on Tue, 9 Mar 2021,
Graeme Wall remarked:
On 09/03/2021 08:34, Roland Perry wrote:
In message , at 08:02:52
on Tue, 9 Mar 2021, Trolleybus remarked:
On Mon, 8 Mar 2021 11:45:41 +0000, Roland Perry
wrote:

In message , at 09:44:35 on
Mon, 8 Mar 2021, Trolleybus remarked:
On 7 Mar 2021 11:02:37 GMT, Marland
wrote:

Sigh. Youngsters.

When I were a lad it wasn't The Fat Controller and it certainly wasn't
Sir Topham Hat (who sounds, not coincidently, like a character from
Bridgerton).

It was The Fat Comptroller.

Notwitstanding:

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/...AC_SL1184_.jpg

I have some first edition Thomas books (plus the one with Gordon in the
tunnel: The Three Railway Engines, the first in the series) and the
person in question then was "The Fat Director".

Book 2 "The Fat Director"

Book 3 (James the Red Engine) Arghh - This one seems to be missing from
Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* my collection. If someone has an original copy from the 50's
Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* maybe they can look.

But by book 4 and onwrds it was "The Fat Controller".

Gordon was rehabilitated in number seven of the series (published 1953)
the forward of which says:

Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* Dear Ian,

Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* You asked for a book about Gordon. Here it is. Gordon has been
Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* naughty, and The Fat Controller was stern with him.

Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* Gordon has now learnt his lesson and is a Really Useful Engine
Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* again.

I wonder if Andrew Lloyd Webber was a Thomas fan.

That seems odd. Have any fictional characters had more names?

Were there different editions, perhaps regional?
Regional books - no I don't recognise that concept.

My memories would be from copies circulating in the 60s.
Mine are from the 50's

I've only one survivor from the 1950s, Toby The Tram Engine, he's
definitely the Fat Controller in that one.

That's number 7, and I've already posted that the name had changed by
number 4.

The only open question is what the name was in number 3.

James The Red Engine was my first Railway book and my first memories are of
The Fat Controller. Take that as any kind of evidence you like.

Sam

--
The entity formerly known as
Spit the dummy to reply

In message , at 15:44:11 on Tue, 9 Mar 2021,
Sam Wilson remarked:
Roland Perry wrote:
In message , at 08:48:09 on Tue, 9 Mar 2021,
Graeme Wall remarked:
On 09/03/2021 08:34, Roland Perry wrote:
In message , at 08:02:52
on Tue, 9 Mar 2021, Trolleybus remarked:
On Mon, 8 Mar 2021 11:45:41 +0000, Roland Perry
wrote:

In message , at 09:44:35 on
Mon, 8 Mar 2021, Trolleybus remarked:
On 7 Mar 2021 11:02:37 GMT, Marland
wrote:

Sigh. Youngsters.

When I were a lad it wasn't The Fat Controller and it certainly wasn't
Sir Topham Hat (who sounds, not coincidently, like a character from
Bridgerton).

It was The Fat Comptroller.

Notwitstanding:

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/...AC_SL1184_.jpg

I have some first edition Thomas books (plus the one with Gordon in the
tunnel: The Three Railway Engines, the first in the series) and the
person in question then was "The Fat Director".

Book 2 "The Fat Director"

Book 3 (James the Red Engine) Arghh - This one seems to be missing from
***** my collection. If someone has an original copy from the 50's
***** maybe they can look.

But by book 4 and onwrds it was "The Fat Controller".

Gordon was rehabilitated in number seven of the series (published 1953)
the forward of which says:

****** Dear Ian,

****** You asked for a book about Gordon. Here it is. Gordon has

****** naughty, and The Fat Controller was stern with him.

****** Gordon has now learnt his lesson and is a Really Useful
Engine
****** again.

I wonder if Andrew Lloyd Webber was a Thomas fan.

That seems odd. Have any fictional characters had more names?

Were there different editions, perhaps regional?
Regional books - no I don't recognise that concept.

My memories would be from copies circulating in the 60s.
Mine are from the 50's

I've only one survivor from the 1950s, Toby The Tram Engine, he's
definitely the Fat Controller in that one.

That's number 7, and I've already posted that the name had changed by
number 4.

The only open question is what the name was in number 3.

James The Red Engine was my first Railway book and my first memories are of
The Fat Controller. Take that as any kind of evidence you like.

Sounds good.
--
Roland Perry

On Mon, 8 Mar 2021 11:45:41 +0000, Roland Perry
wrote:

In message , at 09:44:35 on
Mon, 8 Mar 2021, Trolleybus remarked:
On 7 Mar 2021 11:02:37 GMT, Marland
wrote:

Sam Wilson wrote:


Sigh. Youngsters.

When I were a lad it wasn't The Fat Controller and it certainly wasn't
Sir Topham Hat (who sounds, not coincidently, like a character from
Bridgerton).

It was The Fat Comptroller.

Notwitstanding:

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/...AC_SL1184_.jpg

I have some first edition Thomas books (plus the one with Gordon in the
tunnel: The Three Railway Engines, the first in the series) and the
person in question then was "The Fat Director".

Book 2 "The Fat Director"


Wiki suggests the Fat Director was used for a couple of books. The web
is scattered with references to the Fat Comptroller but on Wiki Talk a
chap suggesting (in 2006) that the name Fat Comptroller was ever used
was basically told to go away.

Fat Comptroller clearly WAS used, as a search for the term will show.
I suspect the name was changed to controller many years ago as
comptroller was an unusual word and controller almost a homophone.

Controller seems an odd title and not in common (non-railway) use. But
railways do have control offices. Were those working in control styled
as Controllers?

In message , at 08:24:30 on
Tue, 9 Mar 2021, Trolleybus remarked:
On Mon, 8 Mar 2021 11:45:41 +0000, Roland Perry
wrote:

In message , at 09:44:35 on
Mon, 8 Mar 2021, Trolleybus remarked:
On 7 Mar 2021 11:02:37 GMT, Marland
wrote:

Sam Wilson wrote:


Sigh. Youngsters.

When I were a lad it wasn't The Fat Controller and it certainly wasn't
Sir Topham Hat (who sounds, not coincidently, like a character from
Bridgerton).

It was The Fat Comptroller.

Notwitstanding:

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/...AC_SL1184_.jpg

I have some first edition Thomas books (plus the one with Gordon in the
tunnel: The Three Railway Engines, the first in the series) and the
person in question then was "The Fat Director".

Book 2 "The Fat Director"


Wiki suggests the Fat Director was used for a couple of books. The web
is scattered with references to the Fat Comptroller but on Wiki Talk a
chap suggesting (in 2006) that the name Fat Comptroller was ever used
was basically told to go away.

Fat Comptroller clearly WAS used, as a search for the term will show.
I suspect the name was changed to controller many years ago as
comptroller was an unusual word and controller almost a homophone.

Controller seems an odd title and not in common (non-railway) use. But
railways do have control offices. Were those working in control styled
as Controllers?

I've posted evidence it went from Director to Controller in the early
50's.

When is your first sighting on Comptroller?
--
Roland Perry

On Tue, 9 Mar 2021 08:37:02 +0000, Roland Perry
wrote:




Wiki suggests the Fat Director was used for a couple of books. The web
is scattered with references to the Fat Comptroller but on Wiki Talk a
chap suggesting (in 2006) that the name Fat Comptroller was ever used
was basically told to go away.

Fat Comptroller clearly WAS used, as a search for the term will show.
I suspect the name was changed to controller many years ago as
comptroller was an unusual word and controller almost a homophone.

Controller seems an odd title and not in common (non-railway) use. But
railways do have control offices. Were those working in control styled
as Controllers?

I've posted evidence it went from Director to Controller in the early
50's.

When is your first sighting on Comptroller?

As a boy it's the only term I can remember seeing, sticking in the
memory because it seemed an odd word. I'd guess around 1960, so not
long before this thread started in 2004.

I'd have been willing to consider the possibility that I'd been
mistaken if there weren't others with similar memories out there.