1) Folding bikes are the golden ticket for using Amtrak.

2) Folding bikes don't have to have small wheels. Here's forum member pinholecam 's touring Changebike:



3) Airline flights, you know, pack/unpack the flight cases and assemble/disassemble the bike at the terminal, but there's a big difference between demountable bikes (S&S coupled, rinko'ed, some BikeFirdays) and true folding bikes when it comes to riding up and hopping on the train. I can ride up to the platform and be on the train in an unrushed 30 seconds:



4) Here's my Dahon Curl - which will fit in a 62-inch suitcase without disassembly - fitted with 23L of Ortieb goodness for light tours:



5) You might have to change your touring paradigm and forgo using standard touring bike panniers on your folder. Here's the man, the legend, 50-years-on-the-road Heinz Stücke and his pannier-less Brompton: