[GL] Has a sidekick? NO
[NJ] Violet? NO, thcweam away.

[cfm] Christopher Robin? NO

[Gusset Login] YES, dagnammit, YES !! It was indeed Sir Topham Hatt 1st Bt, of "The Railway Series", often referred to as the "Thomas the Tank Engine" books, although Thomas' name is only in the title of 9 of the 42 books. The Fat Controller is named in only one title, "Thomas and the Fat Controller's Engines".
Nice to get that one finished off for the weekend. And not a hint of a lurk in sight. Please take this green flag in lieu of a baton.

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Cool. I never expected having a three year old nephew would help me win anything.

This next one is:

Mineral.

[Phil, GL] Excellent =)

[Tuj] I see you have well and truly nicked my signature question! So I must claim yours in turn.

[Tuj] A one off? Yes
[Quenda] P...? No.

[cfm] iron? Depending on how loosely you define the terms 'made of' and 'iron' the answer could be either Yes or No.
It is more than 5% steel (which is an alloy of iron).

[Quenda] Building? No
[CdM] Good to see you, feel free to stop lurking and join in.

[cfm] > average fridge? No.

I'm assuming man-made because it incorporates steel rather than iron.

[Phil] Work of art? No. Although, as always with that question, some people might call it such.
[Quenda] Made before 1900? Yes.