Follow up to my original post.
Well, I made it on the train and had a lovely ride to beautiful Upstate NY at the peak of the leaf turning season. After I posted here, I called Amtrak’s customer service three times, and received no assistance at all. Do not be fooled by their Disability Coordinator office listed on the website. The number they provide is the toll free general customer service number. I asked the representative for a Disability Coordinator and they all said they WERE the Disability Coordinators.
To make a really long story short, I called the DOT, who called Amtrak in Washington DC, who called the local Amtrak office and a very nice and information Amtrak staffer called me that evening to tell me I wouldn’t have an issue transporting it on the train.
Yes, Amtrak’s normal weight limit is 50 lbs., however they CAN transport medical equipment over 50 lbs. Especially live saving/supporting equipment.
The red caps all told me that they are able to help travelers with their machine, and that the customer service agents are not as knowledgeable as they need to be.