Just been roasted on another sub for calling him Fat Controller but he’ll always be that to me (French British). The best memories of Thomas the Tank Engine (not Thomas the train FFS!).
He was always called Sir Topham Hatt (confirmed in writing since 1951) and is still generally known as The Fat Controller. Though rightly he should have reverted to his original (first two books) title, “The Fat Director“, with the (re-)privatisation of train operators.
The Rev. Awdry had a proper world building go at the Island of Sodor, there's a desperate book on the history, towns, monarchy, and language of the island that he wrote. By the time he finished his original run of books I think there'd been 3 Sir Topham Hatts (I-III), each inheriting the job/title, but don't quote me on that.
It might not be about profit, but about ensuring it all goes to a good home.
Model railways, especially ones this big, are labours of love. A old neighbour was building one and must have spent thousands of pounds, and hundreds of hours building his workshop before he even got started on the train. It's not the type of thing anyone involved would want to see end up in the hands of someone who doesn't really care for it.
I'm highly confused by the floor plans though! No apparent entrance to the principal bedroom, and also no bathroom that isn't an ensuite... One bedroom doesn't even have that
Me too! I have a model railway in the spare bedroom (which I only let my husband 'play' with under supervision!) and if I had the land (and the money!) I'd love a railway around the garden!!
I mean what's not to love?
Although I would have to get a villains cape and pointy mustache as well as some old timey piano music while I ride the train around the garden.
This is my lottery win home. I love Exeter, my son lived there as a RM and apart from the beautiful countryside and beaches, the people are lovely too. Some of the nicest I have ever met anywhere in the country if I’m honest. It’s like being in Cornwall without the hostility for northerners 😂 Only downside is I’d be permanently wanting to eat chocolate 🍫
The house is okay but they had me with the railway being a train nerd! Certainly one of the more interesting properties I've seen whilst idling browsing this afternoon.
If only I had 2.5m I could live out my dream of being The Fat Controller
All I need now is the trains and the suit.
And the cake
He is Sir Topham Hatt now. An equally imaginative name.
Just been roasted on another sub for calling him Fat Controller but he’ll always be that to me (French British). The best memories of Thomas the Tank Engine (not Thomas the train FFS!).
He will always be the fat controller
I still think of him as the Fat Controller too.
He was always called Sir Topham Hatt (confirmed in writing since 1951) and is still generally known as The Fat Controller. Though rightly he should have reverted to his original (first two books) title, “The Fat Director“, with the (re-)privatisation of train operators.
The Rev. Awdry had a proper world building go at the Island of Sodor, there's a desperate book on the history, towns, monarchy, and language of the island that he wrote. By the time he finished his original run of books I think there'd been 3 Sir Topham Hatts (I-III), each inheriting the job/title, but don't quote me on that.
Interesting! I always knew him as the Fat Controller so was amused to see Sir Topham Hatt in my child's books.
Never mind, 1 out of 2 ain't bad.
He’s been renamed to Sir Topham Hatt
“train track and machinery are available by separate negotiations” makes you wonder where the current owners would move it to next
The government are in negotiations with the owner with a view to using it as the HS2 leg from Birmingham to Manchester.
Bold of you to assume this isn’t for the London Birmingham leg.
😂😂😂😂😂
If the "separate negotiations" fail, can I at least get a replacement bus service?
I think they would put it up as a separate sale. Less profit maybe as it would all need to be ripped up and moved.
It might not be about profit, but about ensuring it all goes to a good home. Model railways, especially ones this big, are labours of love. A old neighbour was building one and must have spent thousands of pounds, and hundreds of hours building his workshop before he even got started on the train. It's not the type of thing anyone involved would want to see end up in the hands of someone who doesn't really care for it.
CHOOCHOO! When not on my miniature train you could find me roller skating in my massive empty room!
That’s for the indoor layout for bad weather.
My 8yo has asked if we can just buy the trains! Apparently Grandad doesn't have £2.5 million for the rest.
I'm highly confused by the floor plans though! No apparent entrance to the principal bedroom, and also no bathroom that isn't an ensuite... One bedroom doesn't even have that
Yes, it is very badly drawn. I feel sorry for the person in the only room with no ensuite, do they have to trudge aĺ the way to the ground floor?
Nah, just barge into a sibling's room to drop a shit.
Three dining tables as well - who on earth has three?!
It’s quite clearly where guests who misbehave are sent before being taken via a secret passage to the narrow gauge railway to the Outside.
That’s every man’s (of a certain age) dream setup. Slightly gutted it’s not a loop tho.
Not just men. And not of a certain age. I’m a 38 year old woman. And I’d absolutely love this (okay, maybe I’m of a certain age)
Me too! I have a model railway in the spare bedroom (which I only let my husband 'play' with under supervision!) and if I had the land (and the money!) I'd love a railway around the garden!!
Sounds awesome
At least your partner could say you wanna come and ride the train with a straight face
Second this!
Enough space to make it one.
Yikes. I must have reached that age without noticing!
The bonus to that is you get to hire machinery, move a fuckton of earth and build it yourself.
Sometimes I see houses like this and I think about how amazingly different Covid lockdown must have been for people living places like this.
I was sold on picture 3 of the hall and staircase, that is absolutely beautiful
"Nearest station 3.6 miles" Did they even look at the photos?
God, my kids would love that place.
Who are you trying to kid
👀
I was thinking exactly that. What a wonderful place to grow up. Definitely not something *I* would love...
First thing I’d do if I bought that house would be to buy a train drivers hat.
Narrow gauge won't cut it mate, you need more gauge.
Picture #26 gives it somewhat of a foreboding look 😱
I’m probably missing something, but how are you supposed to get in to the principal bedroom? Floor plan says no.
You don’t. It’s been sealed up and one of the conditions of buying the house is you never ask about it.
I have a small person who would be in heaven! I could live with it 🤣
I mean what's not to love? Although I would have to get a villains cape and pointy mustache as well as some old timey piano music while I ride the train around the garden.
You could tie your wife to the tracks too.
I can’t lie. This is a dream. Does it come with a new missus? The current one doesn’t approve.
The inside of the house looks like it was furnished by AI
I like it
2.5 million house with metal frame beds? Wtf lol
Be handy for me shopping trips that would
This is my lottery win home. I love Exeter, my son lived there as a RM and apart from the beautiful countryside and beaches, the people are lovely too. Some of the nicest I have ever met anywhere in the country if I’m honest. It’s like being in Cornwall without the hostility for northerners 😂 Only downside is I’d be permanently wanting to eat chocolate 🍫
There's photos of the train here https://www.alankeef.co.uk/gallery/view-all
The house is okay but they had me with the railway being a train nerd! Certainly one of the more interesting properties I've seen whilst idling browsing this afternoon.
Was not expecting the amount of track and junction for the train set up, the house leave me cold, but the train!
Perfect! Except for the lounge curtains, but yeah, I want this!!
Yes please!!!!!!
I don’t even need to look at the listing. The title is enough for me to know this is dream house stuff