I've seen multiple operators (some of them entirely private, some entirely state-owned corporations, some combinations) combine their trains on an EuroCity-labelled line more than a few times.
I have a friend who is working on founding his own train company and he's actually providing services to the state-owned corporations where they have him operate their wagons in his combined train, with his own locomotive. He operated a major intercity line several times this way (they use his service when there's a problem on the regular route) - and it stopped to recombine several times. I've personally been on a train ride that combined his private for-fun party wagon with an EC train.
Luckily Europe has high speed rail which does not allow your friend's party wagon to disrupt the schedule. You might imagine a TGV or ICE picking it up, but I don't think it will ever happen.
BTW so far my friend's train was never delayed by his own fault, not sure what problem you're talking about - there's no problem, his train had usually the lowest priority (it costs money to have higher priority) so he's the one waiting for "normal" trains.
When I said there are delays, I meant the "normal" trains primarily. But sure, as he increases operation it's going to happen to him too.
Improve schedule planning and Amtrak won't have problems too.
Can you imagine a TGV or ICE stopping to hook up a private car?