Railroad Heritage, the quarterly publication of the Center for Railroad Photography and Art, gave the expanded second edition a great review in its summer 2017 issue, calling it a “superb book combining the story of Route 66 and the Santa Fe Railway in the American Southwest” with “spectacular photography by the author and other noted railroad photographers.” Click the image to read the review.

Railfan and Railroad magazine also praised the book in its April 2017 issue. Editor Steve Barry noted that author Lawrence’s “passion for the railroad, the highway, and Americana is evident throughout.” He also loved the “wonderful map done by David Styffe” and added that the book “will occupy a prominent place on my bookshelf while I ponder my own journey across Route 66 in the future.”

We’re also thrilled to announce that Route 66 Railway has received a scholar’s award from the Conference of California Historical Societies! The award letter states “the book is a well-woven history of the famous highway, the railroad, and the communities along the way. The photographs in the volume are exceptional and add to the story.” The award will be presented at the Conference’s annual meeting in Lincoln, Cal., on June 24.

First Edition Reviews

Below are samples of the reviews that Route 66 Railway received following its original release in late 2008.

One of our favorites is from Ron Warnick of Route 66 News, a major news blog for Mother Road fans — click HERE to read his thoughts.

The August 2009 issue of Hemmings Motor News featured an enthusiastic review. Editor Jim Donnelly gave the book three out of four stars and said more car photos would have easily earned a fourth star. (After all, they are a car magazine!). Donnelly wrote “the vaunted tale of Route 66 has been told on paper and celluloid innumerable times, but not like this.”

Other review excerpts:

“Lawrence is a master photographer and each page is stunning in its visual content,” editor Bob Moore wrote in the Winter 2008/2009 issue of Route 66 Magazine.

The March 2009 issue of Trains magazine carried a highly-positive review from Arizona historian Al Richmond. He calls the book, “a delightful look at a nostalgic cross-country excursion via two parallel routes followed by countless travelers for more than 80 years.”

“Lawrence lavishes the reader with a superb chronicle in both vivid text and stunning photographs,” wrote David Lustig in the April 2009 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman.

“This is one sweet book,”  said editor Steve Barry in the February 2009 issue of Railfan & Railroad magazine.

Finally, Gene Rutledge called the book “magnificent” and a “fabulous piece of work” in the first quarter 2009 issue of The Warbonnet, published by the Santa Fe Railway Historical Society.

PRESS CLIPS:

Author Lawrence was interviewed by Arizona’s National Public Radio affiliate  KNAU-FM in September 2009 — CLICK HERE to listen to the four-minute interview (be sure to read the introduction).

In January 2009 the San Bernardino County Sun covered the book and its local author. R66R was also covered in the Monterey County Herald, the Salinas Californian, Fontana Herald-News, and “The Author’s Network” internet radio show.

Lawrence was also quoted in a 2009 Preservation Online article, “Route 66 Hipsters.” CLICK HERE to read the piece.