And I have taken Amtrak quite a lot. I was a regular rider of the Capitol Corridor, Richmond to Sacramento, the San Joaquin Limited to Bakersfield, and the Coast Starlight, Oakland-LA.
The Coast Starlight particularly was regularly delayed by freight trains as they have right of way over Amtrak. Not a practical choice, but good for the views. On most routes Amtrak trains run on sufferance. The freights rule.
Ok, I did it once outside of the NE, enough for me!