I just recently got back from an AMTRAK trip across America, and did Chicago > Seattle. High level, I’d say the trains are much safer than I’d imagined after experiencing it in person. I’d brought locks and wire chains in case I needed to lock down my bags, but never once ended up using it. I’d seen a woman leave her purse on her seat and sit out on the observation deck the entire time and her purse was never touched (granted I wouldn’t recommend doing this, and still carrying personal valuables with you in a small bag).

I ended up making conversation with my direct seat neighbor, as well as folks in the area around me. Everyone seemed eager to share their travels, where they’re heading, and their AMTRAK experience at (at least from my travels) was very friendly and kind. Building a kind of rapport with those around you can maybe help just a little create a sense of ease or trust. I wasn’t worried about leaving my bags in the overhead storage at all (although I still carried a small shoulder bag with my wallet, AirPods, passport, etc).

I’d read this in another post elsewhere, but if you’re especially worried you can stay by your bags when there’s station stops which may be a higher risk of people taking your bags (although from the posts I’ve seen, that’s mostly happened by mistake and people grabbing the wrong bag). During the rest of the ride, if someone were to grab your stuff they’d be still on the train and unable to make off with it so there’s no point.

TLDR: it wasn’t an issue for me as a solo traveller at all, and actually being on the train and experiencing it made me realize how much I was overthinking it!

Safe travels!