Lost suit? Museum has it under Control! (From Gazette & Herald)

Lost suit? Museum has it under Control!

THOMAS the Tank Engine is very sad. Someone has taken the Fat Controller's outfit, only weeks before Thomas and his friends are due to entertain thousands of people in York.

Sir Topham Hatt, The Fat Controller, always leaves his best suit at the National Railway Museum for safe keeping before his visit to York every year, but this time Troublesome Trucks have hidden his clothes and no one can find them.

Museum staff have put out an appeal to everyone working in the Leeman Road attraction to look inside Percy's boiler and check every nook and cranny of the engine shed depot.

But Sir Topham's spokeswoman today reassured youngsters that The Fat Controller would be visiting the best tailor in York to get a new suit ready for his annual fortnight's stay in the city, next month. A memo sent to NRM staff reveals the outfit's absence wasn't spotted until staff looked to get it ready for Sir Topham's arrival.

A museum spokeswoman said that everything would be fine for Sir Topham's visit - and dismissed rumours that The Fat Controller could appear in just his underpants!

She said: "Thomas has been reassured that A Day Out With Thomas will be going ahead as planned. He is a happy engine again and so are Percy, Gordon, Henry and James. Sir Topham has seen the funny side of it all."

A Day Out With Thomas runs from February 14 until February 29 at the museum. Entrance to the museum is free, but an admission charge will apply to the event. For further information phone the 24-hour recorded information on 01904 686282.

Updated: 10:04 Wednesday, January 28, 2004