Originally Posted by
mcccxxv
That is disappointing that the service seems unlikely.
I did find a document online that lists the trains that carry bicycles: mostly on the west coast.
They are: Cascades, Piedmont, Downeasters, Heartland Flyer, Capitols, San Joaquins, and most Surfliner cars.
The document is at
http://www.cyclotour.com/amtrak.htm.
The Northeast Regional and the Lakeshore Limited will also allow you to box a bike and check it into the baggage car. In the case of the Northeast Regional, the bike will travel on the midnight car, and will thus be ready for pick up on the next day. This, of course, means that you can also opt to ride the Acela and have your bike travel on the slower Northeast Regional so long as you're willing to wait until the next day for pickup.
On the Lakeshore Limited, the bike travels with you.