That is looking north towards Humboldt yard and the mainline for the Paynesville sub. I run CP trains that way everyday.

The photobombing feline is "Fraidy Cat", which belonged to our neighbors but spent much of her time at our house. What is she about to pounce on? The curb feeler -- which is probably vibrating slightly.

This particular Merc didn't live up to my brother's expectations. Perhaps because the engine was a new design, he claimed it never ran right. Within a year he had sold it and replaced it with a '51 Nash. (!)
In the background are the Soo Line yards between 47th and 49th Avenues North in north Minneapolis.

indicate he may be near the Soo Line.

For Ford's new overhead valve engines, replacing that venerable hotrodders' favorite, the flathead. For Mercury, the new motor displaced 256 cubic inches and made 162 HP, 37 more than last year. V8-equipped Fords got the 239 cubic inch version making 130 HP. Any young man would be eager to give it the full-throttle test.

Curb feelers AND wind wings! (And doesn't the cat look modern?!)

I remember curb feelers in the '80s, certainly the last time they made an appearance outside of a vintage car show. By that time, they were only found on "old people" cars, along with continental kits, wire wheel covers, vinyl tops, etc.

I admire Jerry's care in picking a flannel shirt to match the pumpkin color of your brother's car. I'm also loving the wood-sided Soo Line boxcars, which must have been nearing the end of their run.

But most of all, props to the photobombing feline!

I see fixed to that front bumper?

Brings back memories of the days when cars had REAL STEEL bumpers that did the job -- without requiring expensive repair.