Back to your original question, you might let us know if you are taking a sleeper or traveling coach.
For the sleeper, you will have a car attendant who should show you how things work in your room, have the room set up for you (bed set up going north, seat set up going south). There will be a button you can press to call the attendant if needed and you should tell him/her if you have any special needs. You have the run of the train and can go to the cafe car to relax or stay in your room, have meals in the diner or brought to your room. You may not even be asked to show an ID (we have rarely been asked) much less go through any kind of security. Don't be afraid to ask others as well as asking the attendant. In the diner, you will be seated with strangers who will likely be willing to talk about anything with you. You will be assigned to a private room in a particular car and the attendant or conductor will tell you which one.
For coach, travel is a bit more self-serve. There will be an attendant who is likely busier but they should answer your questions. You will be assigned a seat or told to just look for one. Seats are bigger and have more leg room than domestic first class air. You will have space above your seat to store far more than on a plane. You can go any time to the cafe car to buy sandwiches, microwaved food, snacks and beverages. At night it may or may not be noisy depending on whether you are near any kids and how quiet they are. Bring ear plugs if you need solitude. You may get meals in the diner if space is available but you pay for those meals. Since you are going northbound, do go to the diner for breakfast as space is always available and prices are not bad.
Your train, the Crescent, has free wi-fi good enough to read Google news but not download movies. Either spend your time enjoying the scenery, sleep, or bring along your own entertainment (and earphones for listening). There will be a number of "smoke stops" where any passenger can get off and stretch his/her legs but stay near your car door so you don't miss the call to reboard. I believe Charlotte is the only long stop and that will be well past midnight but if you can't sleep, do step off the train.