Moral of all of these, if you’re going distance at all, book a sleeper.
I’ve done Seattle to Chicago (Bedroom), New Orleans to the Carolina’s (Bedroom), LA to Seattle (Bedroom), and Chicago to New York (Coach).
Along with dozens of smaller services.
Class matters on Amtrak. You book that super cheap ticket you’ll get a super cheap experience. Shared bathroom, no food, rude people, coach is a rolling greyhound for long hauls.
Coach on short links like the NE corridor or the Cascades is fine, but for 10 more dollars just upgrade to business. Coach is fine, but people are assholes no matter where you go, but at least you aren’t trapped with them.
Long hauls my wife and I get a bedroom, not a roommette. A bedroom has your own private toilet, and much more room to spread out. It’s pricey, but you get a nicer experience. However they still use the old superliners and for that much I wish they were nicer.
If you have a family, book the family bedroom, a ton of space, you get the full width of the car, and a private bathroom.
Amtrak is fine, held back because no one wants to fund it, but it’s getting better. It all depends what you’re looking for. Feel free to ask me more questions or let us know what type of trip, I can let you know more specifics