One of Northern Ireland’s premiere oversize-load specialists, Mar-Train has cornered the market in plant-moving and windfarm component transportation
Situated deep in the countryside between Belfast and Lisburn is Mar-Train Haulage, Northern Ireland’s outsize load specialist. In 1979, local man Sam Martin started a transport business for moving equipment, much of it for farms. In 1984, he traded up to a Fruehauf step frame trailer, which his son Tim believes was the first tri-axle trailer in Ireland.
Managing director today, Tim joined the firm in 1992 and the business expanded from a pair of trucks to a fleet of five or six by mid-decade. At this point, Mar-Train established its two major long-term customers: 1996 was the year when the first wind turbine was constructed in Ireland, and Mar-Train became specialists in delivering windmill components for construction at windfarms.
At much the same time, materials processing and plant manufacturer Terex opened at factory in Northern Ireland, and Mar-Train’s ability to move outsize cargoes has over 20 years made it the American company’s main shipper for its tracked machinery.
Despite being the biggest specialist in Northern Ireland, Mar-Train is a compact operation with 26 trucks, all STGO-plated. The company runs to UK mainland ports, Hull in particular, and on into Germany, having three trucks with German permits. For operational convenience, a handful of vehicles is based at Birkenhead and some drivers are domiciled in England. When they finish their shift, the company either arranges a hire car or flies them home.
This story is from the May 2017 edition of Trucking.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2017 edition of Trucking.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Economic Certainty
DAF’s HVO-sipping lightweight FTP chassis goes all-out for payload and fuel frugality.
Gold For J Mould
The life of the eight-wheeler can be harsh. Trucking went to hear how one Reading operator switched to Renault after a long and tough market-wide evaluation.
Step In The Right Direction
How switching to alternative liquid fuels can help operators put the brakes on HGV emissions.
Leading By Example
Flogas drives forward carbon reduction with new Bio-LNG powered truck duo.
Dearborn To Dagenham
Ford used to be a mainstay of the UK light/medium truck market – and in the 1930s offered three-tonners powered by the legendary Flathead V8.
Cost of traffic to UK business approaches £1bn
Cost of traffic to UK business approaches £1bn
Motward Marks Anniversary With Top-Spec Tribute Truck
Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire based Motward has celebrated 40 years in business with the purchase of a new Volvo FH16-750 tractor unit, which has become a lasting tribute to the company’s much-loved boss, Jason Tolhurst.
The New Hotel Entrance
Slippery slope for this driver after his initiative is rewarded with a dose of the white stuff
Trucker Of The Year 2018
In association with Staveley Head, Trucking magazine needs your nominations as we look to crown the country’s best truck driver!
Cat-Astrophe!
Feline shenanigans with clandestine stowaway of the furry variety