The PCC tram, first in the typical blue with the doors and the framework in yellow in the time of the Maatschappij voor het Intercommunaal Vervoer te Gent (MIVG) and since 1991 also in the colours of De Lijn, is a very recognisable tram for many Ghent residents. Between 1971 and 1974, a total of 54 came into service on all the tram lines that still existed at the time: successively on line 4 (from 1 May 1971), line 1 (2 November 1971), line 2 (4 December 1972) and line 10 (8 February 1974). These were the first new trams for Ghent since 1913!
PCC refers to the Presidents' Conference Committee: to ensure the future of the streetcar in American cities, the executives of the American streetcar companies got together in 1929 to develop a modern standard streetcar. The PCC streetcar was a revolutionary design at the time with very smooth ride characteristics and foot controls. But the most striking feature was the very streamlined design and the rounded body.
Tram manufacturer (later) BN from Bruges and ACEC (from Charleroi) acquired the license in Europe to build PCC trams.
The Ghent PCC is a bi-directional version that, compared to the three-axle trains it replaced, had a very large capacity and could carry up to 100 passengers. For more than 25 years they were the masters of the Ghent tram network until the arrival of the first articulated Hermelijn in 1999.
22 PCC trams were thoroughly renovated between 1999 and 2003 to the so-called PCC2 type. The most striking modifications were a fully enclosed driving position for the tram driver, air conditioning and the installation of outward-swinging swing doors.
PCCs 6208 and 6215 (the trams were renumbered when they were taken over by De Lijn and were placed in the 62xx series in Ghent) were converted to the PCC2 type and therefore also carry the De Lijn livery.
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Year of construction: 1971-1974
Manufacturer: La Brugeoise et Nivelles (BN / later Bombardier Transportation), Brugge + ACEC (Ateliers de Constructions Electriques de Charleroi), now part of Alstom
Modernization: 1999-2003 by Adtranz / MGB
Series: 01-54 (De Lijn: 6201-6254)
Engines: 4 engines of 40.5 kW
Braking: Electric braking, drum brakes and rail brakes
Empty weight: 19 tons
Seats: 28 (+ 2 folding chairs for PCC2)
Source: https://www.150jaartram.be