Actually you do. The observation car must be detached from the train and rotated first if you want it be the last car on the out-bound track. Also, by working from the rear the switcher need not take up space on the TT bidge. Your assumption that the OB tracks aren't accessed to the TT is correct. Of course any IB track can, in a pinch, also function as OB.
Like you, I've no clue as to whether it is prototypical. When I first came up with it I trying to eliminate the cross-overs usually found in model stub terminals. I felt they took up too much valuable track space. The ability to rotate cars was a serendipitous extra. Years later I was reading an old Model Craftsman (before it became RMC). There in a Louis Hertz column was a cut from an old Marklin catalog showing a passenger station with TT. Ideas, good or bad, are always being rediscovered.
A very good idea! I've no knowledge about the Silverliner. Would it fit my era?
Thank you. In truth the railroad sounds better than it looks and looks better than it runs. I now believe any model railroad should be judged not in terms of design, appearrance, operation, etc., but, rather in terms of the pleasure it affords its builder. Whew, there's a bit of gratuitous personal philosophy.
Yes he did. Yes he was!!
I'm sorry if I was unclear. The O1 is a future project. Presently it's number four on my list.
The O1 was offered in HO and O (both two and three rail) by International. IIRC it was imported between 1949 and the mid '50s. Originally all were RTR. The "kit", only a few parts needed to be attached, apparently came about when it was discovered that duties on "models" were lower than those on "toys".
Thank you again.
Jerry