RAILWAY colleagues said he was already fat and controlling but now this Sir Topham Hat has the certificate to prove it.
Dave Muffitt, otherwise known as the Fat Controller of Elsecar, has just passed an intensive training course to become an official character at Thomas the Tank Engine events.
The retired Barnsley train driver steamed through the exam which is now compulsory for a railway to hold Thomas events.
He said: "I was told I was a natural but I have been doing it for years. Thomas has to behave himself when he comes to Elsecar and he knows it.
"He's a cheeky little engine but I have tried to put him on the straight and narrow. He knows that I'm the man in charge when he comes to town."
Dave, 65, went on the eight-hour course on Sunday with seven would-be controllers.
He was chuffed to pass the training as failure would have been the end of the line for Thomas at the heritage centre.
At least nine railways, including the North Yorkshire Moors, have either failed to meet the new criteria or refused to comply with the strict guidelines.
But Dave, who lives nearly 90 miles away in Scarborough, will continue to don his iconic top hat, yellow waistcoat and top and tails for Thomas fans.
