[FooBarBizBazz]

Amtrak would benefit from a coach-class sleeper, like they have in India or in Eastern Europe. They just need coach benches that convert to beds. If, for a reasonable price, you could lie flat at night behind a little curtain, like you can in e.g. Indian Railways 2nd Class, it would change the game completely. Without that, you can only travel comfortably during the day, and trips are limited to about eight hours for the non-masochist. With it, cross country would be fine. It doesn't seem that hard. Lots of other railways do it.

[bluGill]

Amtrak coach seats don't lay flat, but they are not far off. Most people find them plenty comfortable.

[FooBarBizBazz]

Oh, don't get me wrong, during the day it's the most comfortable way to travel. But the ability to lie flat, even in fare classes that aren't too fancy, like they have in India, counts for a lot when you're traveling overnight.