Yes, if you do miss your connection, Amtrak does a great job of getting you on the next train. However, if you have deluxe accomodations planned for the entire trip, more than likely you’'ll be riding in a coach car instead of a deluxe sleeper on the next train. Of course, Amtrak does refund the difference in price…
On the east coast there is always another train, but west of Chicago most trains are daily trains… Amtrak will attempt to send you in the general direction, such as the California Zephyr and Southwest Chief, but if you miss the Chief which is usually the last train out of Chicago going west, they will put you up in a motel for the night…so that you can catch the next day’s train… Also, keep in mind that if you miss the Empire Builder, there is no bus service on much of that route…its Amtrak only…
East of Chicago Amtrak operates the Three Rivers, Lake Shore Limited, and the Capitol daily. I believe its the Three Rivers which is the last train out of Chicago heading east. If you miss one train they will put you on another, and have the Acela/Metroliner finish your trip to either DC, Philadelphia, and/or New York City…
And lately the Sunset Limited’s schedule has been changed significantly, losing its connections in almost every city except San Antonio where it switches cars with the Texas Eagle. Today one must planned a night in a hotel in Los Angeles for a connection to the Coast Starlight and New Orleans for a connection with the Crescent, I’m not sure about Jacksonville connections to the Silver trains anymore…
For you newcomers to Amtrak, don’t be the old ladies I have seen many times complaining to the conductor that they will be arriving late to a wedding. It seems in today’s world of air flight, people think they can board a train in Montana and get to Florida today, or overnight, when in fact, its a three night trip from Montana to Florida, a night thru North Dakota, a night in Indiana and Ohio, and a night in Virgin