My first trip to Whittier was in Summer 1969 on the AK Railroad's "Alaska Purchase Centennial Train." Whittier was a side trip in route to Seward. 

My sister and I were met by a family member who drove to pick us up, in a 1966 Ford Bronco. The Train was asked to 'whistle stop' at the closed Moose Pass Station; which had not seen passengers get off there in quite some time, only occasional freight offloads. 

Whittier in those days was still quite rusty looking, with earthquake debris piled around.
And the large glaciers were virtually hanging over the train right-of-way as we went through the Kenai Mountains, south. 

Much effort was made to restore the railroad and other infrastructure, another example of conservative over-reach from the Eisenhower Era, to be sure. Part of the charm that is tarnished now... We could still be left like Katrina, by george, when the next quake hits.

Most surviving buildings were in grand shape, after repairs, back then...! ;)