So you're around Randolph somewhere? I have had nothing but good experiences taking the train. On the Vermonter route, you roll your own bike onboard, remove the front wheel, and hang it by the rear wheel up on a rack at one end of the car. You strap it in place with attached velcro straps, then unload it yourself when you reach your destination. You can handle it as tenderly as you want to. You do have to make a reservation for a bike when you buy your ticket, and it costs an extra $20 each way fort the bike. There are a limited number of bikes permitted on each train, so you might want to reserve a space early during the summer months, but I have never had a problem getting a space a week ahead or less.

I did once take the trail from Albany to Chicago, and there I had to hand the bike over to a guy in the baggage car to hang on a hook (I guess--I didn't see what he actually did with it). That might have been a little worrisome if I'd been bringing an immaculate bike, but I brought my thoroughly scratched-up Gitane TdF. There were no new scratches when I got it back in Chicago, or at least none that I noticed.