The only time I've seen someone yelled at for a baggage problem was when I made a photo stop on a Keystone train at Paoli, the agent there is awful and had already yelled at me for taking pictures, asking me "If I had permission from Washington?" There was a women with three suitcases boarding my Keystone train that was connecting to a long distance train in Philadelphia and was planning to check the bags once she got into Philly. The *** **** agent started screaming at her when he noticed her standing on the platform that she was over the limit bag limit before the train arrived. When the train finally arrived the Conductor said "No Problem" to her three bags and let her on, helping her get them up the steps for the short ride into Philly.
I do understand why Amtrak needs to rules on paper but that entire moment will always stand in my mind as ridiculous.
VIA Rail Canada recently cut down on carry on baggage and has produced signs and brochures in the shape of a suitcase to inform people of the new policy. (Granted their renaissance cars and the Sleeping cars on the Canadian do have very little baggage space. On my Upper Birth Section trip on the Canadian I assumed there would be a luggage rack and I could bring the large backpacking backpack I was traveling with on board (also had a shoulder bag). The agent when I checked in (the plan was to pay for left luggage at the station) said, No Sorry, there isn't room, you will need to check that. I was handed a VIA tote bag (that made a nice souvenir) that I threw my change of cloths in and other things I wanted for the train and checked my backpack though.
If you want an amusing baggage policy read about
this written policy from the San Diego Trolley. Guess they were having an issue with riders bringing recycling cans aboard!