It helps to track the train before it gets into your station; if you’re electronically connected, signing up for the text message alerts from Amtrak is helpful, as is doing periodic status updates via smartphone or other device. With a little practice, you can get pretty good at determining when the train is likely to arrive in your station and thus not have to wait around too long.
A couple of years ago I was on #6 and there were delays (exactly why I no longer remember) so that the arrival time into SLC (normally 3:05 AM) was actually around 10:30 AM. I would have hated to be someone who came there at 2:30 and waited without knowing the situation in advance.