I considered applying a while back. I was pretty determined to get on. Then I was hired by an airline, my rail travel dropped dramatically, and I put the idea aside.
Next week is my last day in the airline industry (my choice, found a better position with a public transit agency, which is a little more stable with fuel prices being what they are) and I'm slowly accumulating a large stack of Amtrak tickets in my desk drawer (the effect of living in a state without a single ticket office or Quiktrak machine). So I think that by next year I'll be able for build a decent case for getting on. How extensive was your application?