I would guess WAS for cost, and probably NYP for safety. Is it possible to lay over in Philadelphia or Trenton? May be a decent compromise. I know you can't take the train from WOR to those places with one seat, but with a change over to a regional or maybe even a commuter train, it may work. In fact, you can take the Lake Shore Limited from Worchester to Springfield and then the Vermonter to Trenton, NJ with only a 40 minute layover. That's not bad - a total of about 7 1/2 hours on the train the first day, then a decent motel within 2 miles for under $100 less than two miles away (Comfort Inn Morrisville - 2 miles away, or Lafayette Yard Hotel - only about 1/2 mile away). Arrive at 7:30ish PM. Next day, board at Noon for the Silver Star, get home around 10:17 AM or wait 'til 4:30 and take the faster Meteor home and get home around 1 PM.
I don't think safely should be too much to worry about - a quick cab ride, station to hotel. Looking at the reviews, the Comfort Inn in Morrisville seems to be the winner. Also, as a Choice Priviledges hotel, you can get AGR points there!