I've done the CHI-SEA in coach more than 36 hours each way - one round-trip for Seattle Folk-life 1,5 years ago with my brother and one SEA-MSP last November. Longer than any air trip by far - but the seats are way better than air coach and the people I met in the lounge and diner were pretty decent folks.
A few 20-something boozers near my coach seat once but not real bad. But I did have to bite my tongue when one of the 20-somethings - on the second morning in Montana - asked the AC -- "can I get motion sickness here?" -- Well, sonny boy - if they cut you off last night - yeah - motion sickness is one thing -- but a hangover will make it much worse
Don't be stupid in front of a whole car-full of people kiddo.
Getting put off the train somewhere in the middle of Montana will learn you something -- actually that happened once long ago on the same route - some rowdy sleeping car people got put on the ground at the stop before Whitefish their vacation destination -- and the next two daily trains were sold out --
On that route - the EB - liked most of my fellow passengers - Amish, Native Am, libs, cons, parents, toddlers, retired, college -- good mix and all -- not a thief in a carload. It can be a really good voyage. Take it as it is, and you won't go wrong. And have a plan B if you're time-critical.
Now that I'm a grand-dad the screaming kids dont bother me much - and they usually tire themselves out pretty quick - not like on airlines where the little ones ears are really hurting them and they can't stop screaming until touchdown. On the train the best thing is keep cool and don't hate the parents - just makes them anxious and the kids get worse - keep cool and it will get better. Just leave the parents be and signal non-verbally that you know what it's like - a smile and a non-physical hug will help more than any words can do.
I'm doing a WAS-MSP later this year in coach - it's only about 24 hours and I've got no fears at all - will sleep or not -
I recently spent days in coach. In summer months, I think it is pretty difficult. Bathrooms are constantly in use. People coming through coach cars constantly. You go to the lounge and every seat and table is taken. There's a long line in the cafe. During the fall, I took a coach seat and the train was about half full, and it was like a whole different world. If I got tired of my seat, I co uld go sit in the lounge, maybe strike up a conversation. Get a snack in the cafe and read while eating it.
So, really, I think the time of year can make it a "no" or a "yes". AARP tells its members don't travel in the busy season. Some of the reasons they say that apply to people who aren't elderly, who just want a pleasant trip.