Originally Posted by
David.MPB
While Amtrak will take your bike the literature needs some clarification and “walk on service” means you hand it to the guy in the baggage car. He then balances it between the bags. Let’s not forget the reason those bags are there is because they are oversized and over 50 lbs. You can ask to stand it against a wall on one side but it’s his call.
No. Carry-on (not walk on) service is when you bring your bike into the coach your self and store it in the designated area. Trainside checked service is then you had your bike to a crew member and he/she stores it in the baggage car.
Bring Your Bike Onboard the Train | Amtrak
And bike accommodations in a baggage car can vary. I took the Pennsylvania from Philly to Pittsburgh last year. That route has Trainside checked service. The bike was hung from a special rack by its rear wheel. it was not balanced between luggage.
Here is my bike on the Vermonter route a couple of weeks ago. It has Carry-on service. I stored it myself.