jonwvara 

I think the confusion stems from the fact that Amtrak has been pretty steadily becoming more bike-friendly (maybe they they've realized that this is an area where they can compete with the airlines), but a lot of the old information is still floating around in print and on the internet.

Here's a condensed version of Amtrak's current folding-bike policy. I bolded the key line:


Folding Bikes as Carry-on Baggage

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.

Only certain passenger cars can accommodate folding bicycles as carry-on baggage, otherwise they must be checked.

Only true folding bicycles (bicycles specifically designed to fold up into a compact assembly) are acceptable. Generally, these bikes have frame latches allowing the frame to be collapsed, and small wheels. Regular bikes of any size, with or without wheels, are not considered folding bikes, and may not be stored as folding bikes aboard trains.

You must fold up your folding bicycle before boarding the train. You may store the bike only in luggage storage areas at the end of the car (or, in Superliners, on the lower level). You may not store bikes in overhead racks.


Note that the second line explains that although folding bikes are allowed on all trains, they're only allowed in certain cars on any individual train. Not sure what they do when 25 cyclists show up with folding bikes on the same day. I suppose that could happen on a nice Friday afternoon when everyone wants to take the train from DC to Cumberland, Maryland to ride the C&O/GAP Trail. But I can't see it happening often as a general thing.

Pretty sure it would be a first-come, first-served situation.