A gent I worked with back in the '80s told me of being assigned to a snow removal detail when he was at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center during World War Two. He didn’t remember the name of the railroad but DID remember getting a cab ride in a steam locomotive out of it! And how! “Man, it was nice and warm in there!” he said.
So there’s nothing new about bringing in outside help.
And welcome aboard mon coronel!