An Actros 2563 drawbar combination at the Arctic Circle: Stig André Madsen and his “Polarstjerna”
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With an Actros 2563 drawbar combination Stig André Madsen distributes foodstuffs between the Lofoten Islands and the North Cape for ServiceNord Engros AS.
A Mercedes fan from the very start: Stig André Madsen is on the road in a truck-and-trailer combination with the most powerful OM 473 engine.
The Swedish truck manufacturers are normally very well represented in Norway. There are historical reasons for this, and it was also true of the twelve-truck fleet owned by ServiceNord Engros AS. But for a few years now, Actros vehicles have also been serving in the fleet of the food distributor from Harstad. It is located 250 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle.
Stig André Madsen became a true Mercedes fan not long after the three-pointed star arrived at ServiceNord. The driver sits at the wheel of an Actros 2563 truck-and-trailer combination with the most powerful engine, the OM 473, and the SoloStar Concept equipment in the cab.
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The stickers Stig has decorated “his” Mercedes with show what a close bond he feels with the truck. The Mercedes symbol with the word “Polarstjerna”, Norwegian for “the Polar Star”, hangs beneath the roof railing. This is very fitting, as Stig always travels between the Lofoten Islands and the North Cape. He distributes food and other necessities to restaurants, canteens and snack bars in the region.
Then there is the “VIP hvilesone” sticker in fancy lettering on the co-driver side. This is Stig's way of adding character to his cab. He spends many nights of the year in it and feels like he is in a VIP lounge. “Heavy-duty distribution haulage in the North of Norway means you're usually on the road for two days at a time because of the huge distances. So the comfort of the cab and a good bed is really important to me.”
Top-of-the-range engine is the best solution.
On the driver's side of his Actros hangs the statement “German Power”. Stig thinks this is a good way of describing his power pack of a truck, with 460 kW and torque of up to 3000 Nm. “My boss only ever buys the top-of-the-range engine. We're in a really mountainous region here. You save loads of time if you can drive up a hill as quickly as you can drive down it.”
Thanks to the power of the OM 473 Stig manages an extra unloading point or two on each journey. And there is also less likelihood of a two-day trip turning into a three-day trip if the average speed is high. Nevertheless, tearing around is of course out of the question. “We usually drive at 70 or at 50 in built-up areas,” says Stig.
His boss is satisfied with the OM 473's fuel consumption as well as its performance. As Stig explains: “In the past we've also tried doing our jobs in trucks with less powerful engines. But the consumption shot up as soon as we aimed for the same average speed.”
Mr Lofoten loves his job.
In his company Stig is now known as Mr Lofoten, because he usually takes on the trip between Harstad, where ServiceNord is headquartered, and Å in the South of the archipelago. There are around 80 Lofoten Islands, most of which are linked by bridges and tunnels. Stig has to stop off in many small places along the rugged coast. He sometimes has no option but to take the long way round as many of the fjords cut deep inland. Roads and access routes are often very narrow. In these cases Stig has to unhitch his trailer and leave it parked up so that he can manoeuvre his way into the hamlets safely with just the towing vehicle.
Stig manages up to 20 unloading points in one shift. A lot of work, but it is worth the effort. “I really like working in the North. It's just beautiful here”, adds Stig. “The customers on the Lofoten Islands are also really nice. Much more relaxed than on the mainland. They know that I always come, even if it can take a bit longer due to bad weather or if a road is blocked.”
As a driver in Northern Norway Stig mostly works on his own. The external conditions are often harsh: bad weather, poor roads and blocked bridges are not uncommon. “You have to react to all this with a cool head while always staying flexible in the interests of customers”, Stig continues. “If I have a reliable truck, of course it's much easier for me to bear this responsibility, and the Actros has never let me down!”
If Stig is in luck his mother-in-law looks after his two daughters back home in Harstad. That means he can take his wife Cecilia with him on the trip. “I always really enjoy that. It means we experience everything together, the fabulous landscape, the nice people … and even the cab is cosy enough for two days. Those are the best journeys!”
Mr Lofoten: Stig heads for many small places in one day along the rugged coast.
Photos: Matthias Aletsee
Video: Martin Schneider-Lau
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31 comments
Lohnt sich auch mal mit dem Auto :)
Lohnt sich auch mal mit dem Auto :)
Die herbe Schönheit der Natur, gemischt mit Stig André Madsens Tätigkeitsbeschreibung und... Premiere - der ersten zwischenmenschlichen Sympathiebezeigung auf Roadstars.... 😄😄👍.
War mir nicht bewußt, daß der OM473 über TurboCompound verfügt - wieder 'was gelernt.
Gruß
Klaus
Die herbe Schönheit der Natur, gemischt mit Stig André Madsens Tätigkeitsbeschreibung und... Premiere - der ersten zwischenmenschlichen Sympathiebezeigung auf Roadstars.... 😄😄👍.
War mir nicht bewußt, daß der OM473 über TurboCompound verfügt - wieder 'was gelernt.
Gruß
Klaus
Wenn du mal den Actros gefahren hast, weißt du, dass es Liebe für dein ganzes Leben ist! 😍✌️
Wenn du mal den Actros gefahren hast, weißt du, dass es Liebe für dein ganzes Leben ist! 😍✌️