Erol (Gurkin, I believe) used to be all over the forum and also wrote pieces for the LCCA publications several years back. Then he fell completley off the radar. Perhaps he's too busy "lawyering" to be talking trains? A search showed me that his last post here was in November... but that posting was a fluke as his activity appears to have really stopped a year earlier in 2011. He always had good information and observations, I thought.
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I talked to him at the NJHR Forum open house this year.
He still seems to make the rounds.
I'm sure Erol will pop back in as soon as our beloved manufactures start some legal stuff between each other. Then he will probably have alot to say.
Especially after he reads some of our legal opinions.
He has a posting, fourth from the bottom, on p.2 of Marty Fitzhenry's layout celebration thread, "...31 yrs ago...".
FrankM
You hit the old nail on the head Mario.
I talked to Erol (Gurcan) today and yesterday. Erol is a very busy man. For those who are not familiar with him, Erol is a top shelf trial lawyer who works for a huge law firm in Manhattan. Erol commutes from his home in Jersey to New York every day. Erol is also very active and busy with his two teenage daughters. Erol is a very passionate train guy and can usually be seen at York and other area train meets. A few years back, Erol was the voice of truth in keeping forum members fully informed on what was going on with the MTH/Lionel lawsuit. Erol interviewed both sides and reported very accurately to all of us. He is highly respected at Lionel and MTH for his excellent accurate reporting. Erol is a regular visitor at my home and I really think he comes to visit with Ralph our cat. They are great friends.
Erol is very passionate about the hobby and stays on top of anything going on. I, being a friend of Erol, appreciate this post as he is a great guy and will do anything for anyone.
Marty,
I like your shirt!
Erol must surely be a nice guy the way that he was able to report on both sides of the Lionel,MTH legal tussle of a few years ago.
Norm
Hello Norm. Dotty makes and sells the railroad shirts. Erol is a highly respected guy.
You hit the old nail on the head Mario.
marty, have you EVER smiled in a photo?
Forest, you are correct. I try but have no luck in doing so. It does not mean that I am not happy. The photo was at Grand Central with my good friend. He just paid for lunch and I was happy.
Erol paid for lunch? Wonders never cease
When we all go to Fridays on Thursday, he buys the beer. He always tells the girl to not take any beer orders from your table. He then mumbles something about he did not bring extra money.
RadioRon,
Thanks for asking about me and your kind words. I am still here. I have not gone anywhere.
I still read the forum everyday, but tend to post here less than I used to and usually only when I have something important to say.
My good friend Marty Fitzhenry has it right. I am working longer hours than a few years ago, and when I am not working, my two teenage daughters and doing things around the house take up a lot of my time.
I still enjoy the hobby. I have been to all 5 Trainstocks, and still go to York twice a year, but not for as many days as I would like. I get together with my friends Marty Fitzhenry and Gerry Morlitz and Stu Rankin (Lionel LLC on the forum) a few times a year, and occasionally go to NJHR.
In the last two months, I have bought the MTH UP Railking Imperial passenger set, Railking Imperial Pennsy M1a, Railking Imperial Pennsy S-2 Turbine, and a used MTH Premier PS-1 NYC Hudson which Marty upgraded for me to Protosounds 2.5 (proto 2 with LEDs= PS 2.5). I am presently waiting for the second run of the Lionel Legacy Burlington Northern SD-70ACe to come out. The color scheme from the first run was beautiful.
Marty,
Thanks for your kinds words. You are a great friend.
Mr. Ben Fiorello,
I should be careful regarding your slanderous comments or you may be sued. I am not buying you any more beers at York. Just kidding. Ben and all the guys at the NJHR are great guys and some of my good friends in the hobby.
Erol Gurcan