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 08:02:52 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

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 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

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.

In message , at 09:51:40 on
Tue, 9 Mar 2021, Trolleybus remarked:
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.

I don't think you are mistaken, but we are trying to establish the
timeline of when the job description changed.

Prior to 1949 it was "Fat Director", and the newest one I have is 1961
(Branch Line Engines, No16, a genuine first edition) when it was still
"Fat Controller".

In the interim, never "Fat Comptroller".

Did it perhaps go Director - Controller - Comptroller - Controller ?
--
Roland Perry

On Tue, 9 Mar 2021 10:02:52 +0000, Roland Perry
wrote:

In message , at 09:51:40 on
Tue, 9 Mar 2021, Trolleybus remarked:
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.

I don't think you are mistaken, but we are trying to establish the
timeline of when the job description changed.

Prior to 1949 it was "Fat Director", and the newest one I have is 1961
(Branch Line Engines, No16, a genuine first edition) when it was still
"Fat Controller".

In the interim, never "Fat Comptroller".

Did it perhaps go Director - Controller - Comptroller - Controller ?

Maybe, of maybe the books that had comptroller were changed to
controller at reprint?

Could make an interesting research project for a bored person.

Graeme Wall wrote:
On 08/03/2021 09:12, Basil Jet wrote:
On 08/03/2021 07:17, Anna Noyd-Dryver wrote:

I'm reminded of the quote about "The best drummer in the world? Ringo
wasn’t even the best drummer in the Beatles!" - though apparently it
originated in a 1981 BBC Radio 4 comedy show rather than actually from
John
Lennon!

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/john-lennon-ringo-best-drummer/

McCartney was such a good drummer that it's arguable that Ringo really
wasn't the best drummer in the Beatles.


I'm told that technically, Pete Best was the better drummer, he just
didn't fit with the other members.

Technically Ringo has an unusual style - he’s left handed but plays a
right-handed drum kit so he doesn’t necessarily play the same drum patterns
as other people.

Sam

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

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