I have a similiar question and then some more. I was thinking Phoenix to Philadelphia via Sunset Limited to NOL then the Crescent to Philadelphia. When you plug Phoenix to Philadelphia into AMTRAK's reservations it routes you Thruway bus to Flagstaff then SWC to CHI then various options to PHL. I have been on the SWC a number of times and wanted to do SL to Crescent as I have not been on either.
Now here's the questions:
1) From Maricopa AZ, just south of PHN, to NOL and then overnight in NOL and out on the Crescent the next morning to PHL is the first (and quickest I might add) that shows up as choices on AMTRAK's reservation system. Other choices but with no overnight are MRC to CHI then various options out of CHI to PHL. This happens as the Sunset Limited #2 and Texas Eagle #422 run as a single train to San Antonio TX then split with #2 continuing to NOL and #422 to CHI. Will AMTRAK let me do the MRC>NOL // NOL>PHL or will they force me to go via CHI on AGR points?

2) Why if AMTRAK is going to provide service from PHN via bus don't they bus to Maricopa which is much closer than Flagstaff to pick-up an eastbound LD no matter where your going east?

3) I am planning to purchase part of the trip from MRC to El Paso,TX, as ELP is the border line for the AGR point zone. I would rather buy a ticket from MRC>ELP than cough up another 15K points for the extra zone. Now here is my last question, why are the fare buckets so different between #2 SL and #422 TE from MRC to ELP when for all purposes it is the same train? MRC>ELP OW #2 $58 coach/$113 roomette vs MRC>ELP OW #422 $140 coach/$210 roomette. I know which one I would choose but I was still wondering why?