I might have mentioned this before, but this is almost exactly the same distance as Paris to Rome, which is available as a fast train route. Here's the best schedule:
TGV 9241 08:04 Leaves Paris Gare de Lyon
14:50 Arrives Milan
This train makes 5 quick stops along the way and goes over the alps, not unlike what it would take to cross Grant's Pass.
ES 9445 16:00 Leaves Milan
20:30 Arrives Rome
This train makes two stops - Bologna and Florence.
There's a slightly faster arrival if you go further; the 1:10 connection in Milan isn't quite enough time to go see The Last Supper.
This is 12+ hours on two of the fastest trains in the world. You really think that SF (probably Emeryville, due to the problem with the Golden Gate) -> Sacramento -> Eugene -> Portland -> Seattle would be much faster?
/jordan