ENGINEER AIMS TO PUT ICONIC BRIDGE ON LEGO MAP
ACLARKSTON man is a step closer to putting Scotland on the world map – but in a different way with Lego. Civil Engineer Michael Dineen has created a Lego replica of Scotland’s iconic Forth Bridge and he needs another 5000 signatures for it to be put on Lego’s shelves all over the world.
The lifelong Lego enthusiast started the campaign two years ago. Part of the campaign seen the impressive creation displayed in Glasgow Central Station for two days last year and featured on BBC documentary ‘Inside Central Station’.
Michael told the Glasgow Times what it would mean to him if he reached the 10,000 signatures needed for Lego to consider distributing his Forth Bridge creation in stores.
He said: “It would be a massive achievement, not only to know that something I’ve designed has been well received by 10,000 people worldwide, but the biggest toy manufacture in the world would see the value of adding it to their shelves.
“It is something hardly anybody has the opportunity to experience and to get to that point would be something incredible.”
Having moved to Scotland 28 years ago from South Africa, the 42-year-old said his profession as a civil engineer inspired him to create one of Scotland’s most famous landmarks with 3200 pieces of Lego.
Michael also has hopes that his work with both engineering and Lego has educational purposes and wants to inspire other people to do the same.
He said: “Not only is it fun to build, but it also teaches people the basic and fundamental principles of bridge construction.”
You may recognise some of Michael’s impressive Lego work from the past. The Engineer’s creation of Still Game’s ‘The Clansman’ and ‘Navid’s Shop’ popped up on social media a few years ago which led to Michael making two appearances as an extra on the programme.
Although, it may be a while before we see Jack and Victor on Lego Shelves.
Michael added: “Lego said ‘Thanks but no thanks’ to that idea, but I’m actually in talks with Greig
Hemphill and Ford Kiernan to see if we could make it happen.”
Each year Lego invites enthusiasts to submit their designs. By going to his design submission on the Lego ideas website or googling ‘Lego Ideas Forth Bridge’ you can click the support button which will add an online signature to Michaels endeavour to put the Forth Bridge on Lego Shelves across the world.