Amtrak is kinda nice in the Pac Northwest, in my recollection.
I used it several times in college. Beats the pants of Greyhound. Going from Seattle to Walla Walla, I'd ride Amtrak from Seattle down to Portland, then across the Gorge to Pendleton. My parents or a friend would pick me up there, about 45 minutes from home. I think it took about 5 hours. The car trip straight from Seattle across the Cascades and right to home was about 5-6 hours.
The train did 80mph along the Gorge, seating was nicer than 1st class on an airplane, and I could sit and read or study very comfortably.
I haven't used the train since then, but it is something that I actually like. Is my experience that far off from how it works on the East coast? If so... you guys need to cut down on stops along the routes.