Transport trike on Amtrak

“Roll-on" bicycle service and “Amtrak” are two buzz words that we’ve been
hearing a lot lately, and we’re excited about the recent progress to make multi-modal
travel more convenient and accessible for cyclists across the country.​

I did turn up this info (above) about: New Developments for Bicycle Services on Amtrak.


There's also a dated (i.e. 2008) thread entitled: Taking (a) bike on Amtrak? you may want to peruse as well.

 

I also turned up one other interesting read entitled: Reservation frustration. A True Story! about one cyclist's experience with Amtrak.

 

Under Amtrak's Baggage Policy & Service Special Items page, it reads:

• Bicycles/bicycle trailers may be checked in a bicycle container for $10, in lieu of a piece of baggage. Bicycle boxes are sold at most staffed locations for $15 per box. Customers may supply their own bicycle container.
• Folding bicycles under the dimensions of 34" x 15" x 48"/860 x 380 x 1120 mm will be allowed onboard all trains in lieu of a piece of baggage. They must be considered a True folding bicycle.
• Full-size bicycles may be carried on certain trains with designated walk-on bicycle service. Bicycles must be stowed in the designated space within the body of the car. Reservations may be made online or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL.
• Passengers utilizing the walk-on bicycle service, where bikes are carried on select trains by the passenger and stored in designated areas, must be able to fully handle their bicycle, and be able to lift their bicycle to shoulder height. Passengers are responsible for stowage and security of bicycles.
• Recumbent, tandem and special bicycles over the standard bicycle dimensions and will not fit in a standard bicycle box are prohibited.
• Motorized bicycles are prohibited.
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While the 5th bullet states that if your bike won't fit in a standard bicycle box that you can't bring it onboard, note the 1st bullet claims that Customers may supply their own bicycle container.

Meanwhile, on the crazyguyonabike website this thread (updated June 2014) states:

Recumbents, Tandems and Trikes
* You can no longer pack long wheelbase recumbents or a tandem by bringing/buying two boxes and telescoping the boxes. The bike needs to split somehow. You might be able to fit some tandems into a box by removing wheels, but if you do this I'd recommend blocking the dropouts. You might be able to fit your LWB machine in by removing the fork and front wheel, you'll have to do your homework on this.

* On a SWB recumbent with telescoping frame, you might need to shorten your frame to make it fit the box.

* If your chainrings stick out the front such as on a SWB bike, zip-tie some cardboard over it to prevent it from tearing the box.

* If your 'bent has anything but a very narrow seat, you WILL need to make provision for carrying the seat(s). Amtrak is not allowed to accept them simply stuck in a plastic bag. I have searched for, but have not found, any commercial products that would work; perhaps a super large duffel bag. I made soft-sided bags to fit our seats from cordura nylon, with zippers and buckled straps to close, and a carrying handle. (For customs inspections, I added a clear insert with a picture of the seat and how it fits on the bike.) Furthermore, you'll want to avoid checking more than two pieces, the third and fourth cost an extra $20 each.

* Bags for carrying recumbent seats will need to be carried along on your tour, or shipped to the endpoint of your trip.

Sorry, but I'm going to leave you on your own regarding packing a trike. I do know that non-folding models will not fit in a standard box. You'll probably have to spend some time test-fitting or developing a box/bag/whatever. If you can't fit it into a bike-sized box, you might have to ship it separately (see this article's page on Amtrak Express as one option).
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I guess my very first thought about taking a trike on Amtrak, EDGE's new e2 folding trike comes to mind. Fast, simple and compact!

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Just in case you overlooked it above...

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Which reads:

Amtrak Express: Sending just the bike
Amtrak provides (but does not generally publicize) a package express service that will ship your bike. This is useful to just send a bike somewhere that you aren't going - or if you're going to get there some other way. (This used to be downright cheap, though it is still reasonably priced.)

The big beneficiary here is shipping a tandem or trike. Rates for an "oversized" machine will be a lot less than the rate for a freight service such as FedEx or UPS. Amtrak waives the oversize fee for any bicycle; it will likely expedite things if you plan to put it in their plainly-marked bike box.

Not all baggage-handling stations handle express. Check this website.

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