There were two bands, Traffic and Ten Years After, that were on the Festival Express tour but are not seen in the movie. The producers of the film could not get the musical rights.
In the "C.C. Rider" jam scene, Jerry Garcia can be seen playing the famous rosewood Fender Telecaster played by George Harrison in the last public performance of The Beatles, on the roof of Apple Headquarters. It was loaned to Garcia by Delaney Bramlett; the two can be seen on-stage together during the jam. Harrison had given it to Bramlett after they toured together briefly.
Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter wrote the song "Might As Well" about the Festival Express train trip. This song, performed over the years by Grateful Dead, has lots of lyrics referencing this trip: "Long train running from coast to coast/bringing long the party where they need it the most" and "Never had such a good time/in my life before/I'd like to have it one time more/One good ride from start to end/I'd like to take that ride again."
It is stated that the crew made their first pit stop to stock up on alcohol in Chapleau, Ontario. This is unlikely since this town was on the CPR. The film was done in a CNR train. They did stop, however, at the train station in Sioux Lookout.
The next pit stop to stock up on alcohol occurred in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
The next pit stop to stock up on alcohol occurred in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.