I have taken the Amtrak from Chicago to Normal, Illinois a number of times but only twice with my bike. It is a 2.5 hour train ride. I just ride to union station and then wheel it through and onto the train. I have never had to box the bike or remove pedals or anything like that. One time the guy asked me to put it up in the overhead rack since it was a crowded train, but that was it. No big deal, it fit fine. The other time I just leaned it up against the window in an area that was meant for wheel chairs and/or strollers.