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During the next five years, about 40 percent of Union Pacific Railroad's workforce will reach retirement age. So, the Class I is ramping up recruiting and hiring efforts.

This year, UP expects to hire several thousand workers, filling positions ranging from train service to track maintenance to management.

"While we don't expect all employees to take retirement the minute they are eligible, we do want to add employees now so they will have the opportunity to learn and gain the experience needed to maintain the high standards set by our current employees," said UP Senior Vice President of Human Resources Barb Schaefer in a prepared statement.

The railroad is interested in retail management workers, who "typically possess transferable skills, such as setting work schedules, controlling inventory, helping customers, answering complaints, and hiring, training and supervising employees," UP said.

Meanwhile, the Class I is increasing train speed on a Kansas line. The railroad plans to boost speed from 40 mph to 49 mph between Herington and Peabody. Train speeds will increase 5 mph on Feb. 18 and another 4 mph on Feb. 25.