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The Fat Controller - who meets hundreds of children at the Avon Valley Railway on special Thomas the Tank Engine days - is being sent on a course to make sure he is the right man for the job (link below.)
http://thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=145365&command=displayContent&sourceNode=145191&contentPK=19686083&folderPk=83726&pNodeId=144922

A volunteer who has played the role - more formally known as Sir Topham Hat in the well-loved stories - for more than 15 years will be joining other Fat Controllers from around the country.

They will even have their outfits of top hat and morning suit checked to ensure they portray the character in the correct way.

The course has been organised by Hit Entertainment, which owns the rights for Thomas the Tank Engine events such as the Avon Valley Railway weekends at Bitton twice a year.

It has caused a fuss on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, where the popular days are to be replaced with a family fun weekend because the new conditions were considered too extreme.

I understand preserved lines everywhere are up in arms over this. Many are deciding it's not worth it. Of course, I understand there's a Thomas theme park soon to open, so Hit Entertainment have a vested interest in promoting that, and not the local events that mean so much to preserved lines in terms of revenue. 

See link below.
http://thisisdevon.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=143632&command=displayContent&sourceNode=142719&contentPK=19725652&folderPk=91672&pNodeId=201778

Thomas the Tank Engine will roll into Didcot Railway Station next month after being delayed by four weeks (link below.)
http://www.oxfordmail.net/news/headlines/display.var.2133493.0.thomas_rolls_in.php

The centre's popular Day Out with Thomas event will run from Friday to Sunday, April 11-13.

The centre normally hosts Day Out with Thomas events three times a year - in March, October and December.

But contract problems and negotiations with licence holders Hit Entertainment meant this year's event had to be postponed.

It was the first time the centre has had problems with the event, which it has hosted for 19 years.