Because the trans-Russia railways had been completely electrified in the 1970s, and the spur tracks all used Diesel,  the operation of a steam drawn train across Siberia in 2000 required the involvement of retired rail road employees. 

The fellows in the image above seemed to get a real kick out of being back on the tracks...even though the summer air temperature was over 100 F and the temperature next to the firebox even hotter.