Art Gibson photographed Alaska Railroad Consolidation #401 from the vestibule of a passenger train arriving in Whittier on March 17, 1957. Typical Whittier weather, sleet and snow was showering the string of 14 steam engines stored at the West end of the yard. The slash burner in the background sat on the tide flats and served the large Colombia Lumber steam operated saw mill. Part of the planning shed and the load out deck can be seen just across the road to Westcamp and the tank farm. This entire area was damaged in the 1964 earthquake and tsunami and today is part of the small boat harbor complex.
 

Photo courtesy of W. A. Gibson Jr.
Commentary by Pat Durand