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Edinburgh Reporter
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Edinbrick LEGO model show was a sellout
At Edinbrick 2025, the charity LEGO Model Show at Meadowbank Sports Centre there were many models to admire, but none more so than the 26 feet long, 100,000 brick replica of the Forth Bridge, featuring two LNER Azumas and Scotrail trains which cross the real bridge daily. It is believed to be the largest model of its kind of the UNESCO World Heritage site – which carries as many as ten LNER trains per day in each direction. The model was first unveiled by LNUR (LEGO Northern UK Railway), the UK's largest LEGO train club, last year, and building on that success, this is its first visit to Scotland, where it proved popular with visitors to the show. The two working replica train tracks carried miniature models of trains during the weekend. LNER donated several prizes for the Edinbrick Tombola, raising money for Fairybricks – the official LEGO Charity in the UK which provides LEGO to children in hospitals across the country. Last year's event raised more than £17,000 for the charity – with this year's event expected to raise even more. Ahead of the event James Downey, Finance Director at LNER, said: 'I'm a huge LEGO fan so I'm really excited that model LNER Azuma trains will be on show this weekend on the giant LEGO Forth Bridge. I hope lots of families take a real LNER Azuma to Edinburgh to see this fantastic show. We're delighted to be supporting the charity fundraising at Edinbrick and hope to help raise lots of money to put LEGO into hospitals.' Richard Carter-Ulusoy, Chair of LEGO UK Railway, said: 'We were really excited to hear that our model of the Forth Bridge gained the attention of LNER. As massive fans of the railway, it's a pleasure to join with them at Edinbrick to raise money for a brilliant charity – and have some fun too!' As well as the 'everyone's a winner' Tombola and hundreds of displays, Edinbrick had 'build zones', a 'Minifig hunt' to find eight figures hidden around the exhibition and numerous additional LEGO related activities set to delight LEGO fans of all ages. © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam Like this: Like Related
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
With FY2025 spending settled, lawmakers shift focus to FY2026 budget
Congress returns to Capitol Hill this week with a budget plan in place for the rest of fiscal 2025 but uncertainty over when lawmakers will have an outline for federal spending in fiscal 2026. Earlier this month, Congress finalized spending plans for federal programs through September, lifting the threat of a possible government shutdown until this fall. But the extended delay in settling the current budget has pushed back the timeline for the next round of budget debates, which are typically well underway by late March. The White House has yet to unveil spending levels and program priorities for fiscal 2026, a process that usually begins in early February in non-transition years and by early April when a new administration takes office. Once those guidelines are suggested, House and Senate appropriators will take the rest of the spring and summer parsing those levels, with the hope of reaching a full-year budget agreement by Oct. 1, the start of the new fiscal year. House Veterans' Affairs — 3 p.m. — 360 Cannon Community Providers VA officials and outside advocates will testify on ways to improve interoperability between department clinics and community health care providers. House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — 2200 Rayburn African Resources Outside experts will testify on Chinese involvement in Africa. House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — 2172 Rayburn State Department Administrative Services Outside experts will testify on ways to streamline State Department operations. Senate Foreign Relations — 10 a.m. — Dirksen 419 Pending nominations The committee will consider several pending nominations. House Veterans' Affairs — 10:15 a.m. — 360 Cannon VA Transition Assistance VA officials and outside advocates will testify on ways to improve transition services for individuals leaving the military. House Veterans' Affairs — 2:15 p.m. — 360 Cannon Pending Legislation The subcommittee on health will consider several pending bills. Senate Armed Services — 2:30 p.m. — 222 Russell Conventional Surface Shipbuilding Vice Adm. James Downey, head of Naval Sea Systems Command, will testify on current shipbuilding goals and challenges. Senate Armed Services — 3:30 p.m. — 232-A Russell AI Cyber Capabilities Outside experts will testify on potential uses of artificial intelligence for the defense community. House Armed Services — 3:30 p.m. — 2116 Rayburn Transportation Command Gen. Randall Reed, head of U.S. Transportation Command, will testify on fiscal 2026 budget needs. Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — 106 Dirksen Strategic and Space Command Gen. Anthony Cotton, head of U.S. Strategic Command, and Gen. Stephen Whiting, head of U.S. Space Command, will testify on fiscal 2026 budget needs. House Select Intelligence — 10 a.m. — 1100 Longworth Worldwide Threats Assessment Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and FBI Director Kash Patel will testify on threats facing America. Senate Foreign Relations — 10 a.m. — 419 Dirksen Indo-Pacific Alliances Outside experts will testify on U.S. strategy in the Indo-Pacific region. House Veterans' Affairs — 10:15 a.m. — 360 Cannon Pending Legislation The subcommittee on disability assistance will consider several pending bills. Senate Armed Services — 2:30 p.m. — 222 Russell Military Service Academies Superintendents from the three service academies will testify on current operations and challenges. House Armed Services — 3:30 p.m. — 2118 Rayburn Special Operations Forces Colby Jenkins, acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations, and Gen. Bryan Fenton, head of U.S. Special Operations Command, will testify on fiscal 2026 budget needs. Senate Foreign Relations — 11 a.m. — Capitol S-116 Pending Business The committee will consider several pending bills.
