Long Died and most likely will not happen again.

I did some homework last spring '07 trying to find what trains do allow bikes on board.
They would be checked as luggage and have to be boxed.
I forget which trains still aloow bikes, but they were pretty helpful, choices were very slim.

In anycase use Greyhound or similar.
Buses are cheaper, Faster and not as bad as you may think.

Oh yeah, if you do get your bike on an Amtrak Train, it is considored cargo and may NOT get there when you do.

Good luck, go Greyhound, peter Pan etc.

Robert