It may be that Amtrak can plan to add a lounge / café car to trips that have a high booking ? The Meteor, and Star year around or at least the thanksgiving - New Years time when there is often 5 coaches and 3 0 4 sleepers. If the ATL situation can ever be solved maybe one car NYP - ATL ? Once enough equipment is found it may be a second diner will be needed. It will be interesting how many coach passengers pay for meals.
The Panorama cars used on the Canadian and Skeena would work, with some modifications, especially stronger A/C.
This, assuming there's money to acquire them, of course. And then there's this problem: the scenery pretty much stinks east of the Rockies!