Glad you had such a good experience with Amtrak. It is indeed a very relaxing way to travel. Very economical, sans sleeper. And no body searches before boarding.
I too found the employes very helpful and motivated. Even after a checked pannier was 2 days late arriving, having been "lost" in that zoo of a station in Chicago. It was Fedex'd to me. I will not be checking any more panniers.
Yeah, sleeping in coach is problematic. Ear plugs are good, as is a pillow and light jacket. Strangely, I found I got more sleep on a long bus ride than on a long Amtrak ride. Something about the seat configuration.