Jeanette Thomson

The long whistle of the train evokes for us a nostalgia for a time when the middle of the country contained acres of undeveloped land and open spaces, a time when life seemed simpler. The Estrella Questers has made the Arizona Railway Museum its focus. The group consists of Sun Lakes’ residents who have an interest in keeping history alive by supporting preservation, restoration, and education. The group meets monthly from November through April and has organized group tours to historically-significant sites in the Phoenix area, including Sirrine House, the Mystery Castle, Wrigley Mansion, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West, and many more.

Through bake sales, craft sales, and garage sales, the group was able to raise and donate $1,000 toward restoration of two roomettes in the sleeper cars recently acquired by the Arizona Railway Museum. Our members further assisted the museum by providing volunteers at the Museum’s annual Open House, working in the cars as monitors and working at the raffle table selling tickets for a Grand Canyon Railway trip. Held each year in February, the Open House provides an opportunity to view the Museum’s entire rolling stock collection, as well as many private cars that have been restored. The private cars are available for viewing onlyat this one time each year.

The Estrella Questers plan to continue support for the museum through donations for completion of the sleeping car restoration. We encourage anyone with an interest in trainspotting to visit the museum at 330 E. Ryan Road in Chandler. Anyone interested in joining the Questers Group is welcome to call Barbara Piper at 480-895-7747.