Well since this is all a dream, and congressional whims, equipment issues, and freight rail opposition don't factor (boy I started this reply off on a positive start), I'd say:
I agree to upgrade tri-weekly trains to daily.
On once daily trains, it would be desirable to upgrade to twice daily, but in many instances I can see where thrice weekly would be the way to go, as while the midpoints do get better service with an offset 12 hour difference train, the destinations of these folks might then be reached at an inconvenient hour.
For example, look at #29/30 (times rounded a bit)
29 Lv. WAS 400pm Arr. CHI 830am
30 Lv. CHI 800pm Arr Was 200pm
If a 12 hour offset schedule was operated, then sure, a passenger could board in CLE at 230 in the afternoon. Sounds good, BUT... if they're bound for Washington, then they'll arrive at about 2am! YIKES!!!
If I want to leave DC on the New Capitol and arrive in PGH by dinner time, I'd now have a train to get me there, but, I'd have to be to Union before 4am!!!
Imagine instead a schedule like this:
Capitol Limited Westbound
Code:
TRAIN WAS PGH CLE TOL CHI
31 755am 345pm 625pm 845pm 1230xm
29 355pm 1145pm 225am 445am 830am
33 1155pm 745am 1025am 1245pm 430pm
Capitol Limited Eastbound
Code:
TRAIN CHI TOL CLE PGH WAS
32 345am 855am 1050am 145pm 1000pm
34 1145am 455pm 650pm 945pm 600am
30 745pm 1255xm 250xm 545am 200pm
Every end point to end point would have a convenient departure AND arrival time with at least one and in most cases TWO of the trains offered.
More expensive than twice daily, of course, BUT...
much of the overhead would remain the same. (not the catenary mind you),
many trains could be turned more quickly since there are more trains to utilize that type of equipment,
ridership would DEFINITELY grow quite a bit, etc. etc.
I would love to see a thrice daily service operated on all single overnight trains with an 8 hour stagger. In some cases, some efficiencies could be offered to reduce the number of new trains. For example, the Carolinian routing could be extended to NOL and operated as one of the three frequencies of the Crescent. The Silver service is close to being there, needing only a re-extension and timing of the Palmetto. Additional frequencies of the LSL and Maple Leaf could come by integration into Empire Corridor times.