It would be great fun to sit around over a few beers and exchange AmTrac horror stories.  Believe me, anyone who has journied by rail in the US has one. or, if, out of stubborness or stupidity, you've ridden on AmTrac twice, you will have two.  

Just one short story for you: A couple of years ago I went to the Eugene AmTrac station to pick up some friends coming in from LA.  I asked the clerk if the train was "on time."  He looked at me incredulously and burst out laughing. .........