...Amtrak sells bike boxes that are *big* compared to most all airline boxes. I'm 6' 4" and my bike fits easily in an Amtrak box with both wheels on and pedals removed and handlebars taken off...
Well that's a good sign. I can take my bike apart and stuff it in a box. Much better solution to have it on the train with me than having to ship it separately and go find it. Just have to see if my on-boarding station has bike boxes.