- Exterior shots of the train set in the rural western U.S. were filmed on the Canadian Pacific line from the Crowsnest Pass to Lethbridge, Alberta. Interiors were shot in a studio, with the sets mounted on rubber tires so they could be rocked. To simulate the train passing through the shadow of a tree, a series of crew members would successively move obstructions in front of each of a row of lights shining into the windows.
- Originally meant to be filmed in the United States; however, the National Rail Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) was fearful of adverse publicity and refused to cooperate. As a result, the producers were forced to work with the Canadian Pacific Railway, using thinly disguised CPRail equipment and shooting exteriors along the CP Rail right-of-way.
- The locomotive used as "AM ROAD"'s 4070, was actually CP Rail's (formerly Canadian Pacific) 4070. For the filming, the AM ROAD decal was placed over the CP markings and "Multimark" pac-man logo. At the end on the shoot, the decals actually damaged the engines real paint job. The production company had to pay for the repainting of the engine, which took place in the CP Rail Transcona shops in Winnipeg Manitoba. The locomotive is a FP7A built by GMD in 1952. In 1982, CP sold it to STCUM, where it was re-numbered to 1300 in 1983. As of 2002, she is now sitting in "non-operational" storage in Montreal.
- When the scene where Grover puts the shoe polish on George's face to make him appear to be black was first filmed, a white man walked in and believed George was black. Richard Pryor was uncomfortable with the scene and felt it would be funnier if a black man walked in and is not fooled at all. Pryor asked Arthur Hiller for a re-shoot but Hiller refused. Pryor walked off the set and refused to return to filming until the scene was changed. Hiller relented and Pryor's idea was used for the final cut.
- Robert Vaughn received the script in the mail, and loved it. He wanted to play Roger Devereau, but was dismayed to discover that Patrick McGoohan had already accepted the part. He contacted Arthur Hiller and discovered that it was sent by mistake. He was invited to watch the production, and became friends with star Gene Wilder.
- The engine crashing into the station was filmed in a Lockheed hangar in Burbank, California using a full-sized mock-up of the FP-7A locomotive.
- When meeting Gene Wilder after having seen Silver Streak (1976), Cary Grant asked him if the script had been in anyway inspired by North by Northwest (1959). As Wilder admitted it was correct, Grant then added, "I knew it! Have you noticed that each time you take ordinary people, say, like you and me, then take them in a situation way above their heads, it makes a great thriller?"
- Although you do not see his face, the baggage valet at the very beginning of the movie is 'Morgan Freeman' (recognizable by his distinct voice).
- Patrick McGoohan was only cast after the first choice died.
- While the climactic ending of the movie was filmed in a California aircraft hangar, the final POV approach shot coming into "Central Station" is actually on Track 2 of what is now the Ogilvie Transportation Center (OTC) in Chicago. While Chief Donaldson describes the danger as "two hundred tons of locomotive smashing through Central Station on its way to Marshall Field's," it would have to turn left in order to do so, as Track 2 comes in due south, and Marshall Field's (now Macy's) is about a mile off to the east. The Silver Streak would in fact shoot through the lobby of OTC, slide down the escalators, and land in a big heap in the middle of Madison Street.
>>> WARNING: Here Be Spoilers <<<
Trivia items below here contain information that may give away important plot points. You may not want to read any further if you've not already seen this title.
- SPOILER: The climatic train crash at the end of the film was shot in an airplane hanger.
- SPOILER: Richard Pryor doesn't show up until 63 minutes into the film.
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