If you're going to take Amtrak, you'll have to box the bike. Which is exactly the same way as you would box a bike for the airlines. Possibly even more complicated, because I don't know if Amtrak sells actual bike boxes like the airlines. And believe it or not, it is NOT complicated to do. If you practise a bit at home beforehand, you'll be all set. And to do this, all you have to do is loosen the pedals (which if they haven't been lubed at all, will take some time), turn the handlebars.