The Holcim Florence plant in Colorado is citing coal shortages as a factor in production shortages. The plant reportedly burns 600 tons of coal every day but last week the plant nearly ran out of coal because the Union Pacific Railroad can’t keep up with demand.  The railroad blames a shortage of both trains and people as reasons that they can’t move the coal fast enough for any of their customers -- not even power plants.  After last year’s slow economy, they just didn’t expect a workload this big. he plant has been trying to cut its use of coal, by burning alternative fuels, like wood chips and tyre chips and if the railroad can’t increase its capacity, the plant could have to bring in coal by truck to avoid shutting down.  ”We may have to move away from being dependent on the railraods because clearly they’re not geared up to serve industry at the moment," said Rob Davies, plant manager at Holcim.