BN 6017

Origin and Design (1974–1980)

In 1974, the Bruges-based company BN (formerly La Brugeoise et Nivelles) was asked to design a new articulated tram for the Belgian coast and Charleroi.

The tram was to be a metre-gauge Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) – a hybrid between a tram and a metro, suitable for long distances.

• Coastal tram: single-direction vehicle with one driver’s cab and doors on one side only.

• Charleroi tram: bi-directional vehicle with driver’s cabs and doors on both sides.

The first prototype coastal tram (6000) arrived in Ostend in 1980 and made its first passenger run in 1981.

The Charleroi prototype (6100) followed shortly after, was tested on the coast, and returned to Hainaut in 1981.

Production and Operation (1981–1990)

In total, 50 trams were built for the coast and 55 for Charleroi.

Due to the factory's proximity, the first Charleroi-type trams were temporarily deployed on the coastal line.

Due to safety concerns with the Scharfenberg couplers, these were removed from the coastal trams in 1990, leading to a redesign of the tram front.

De Lijn and Modernisation (1990–2000)

On January 1st, 1991, De Lijn was founded. The coastal trams were repainted in a new livery: white with orange and light blue accents, later replaced by De Lijn’s official colors.

Due to rising passenger numbers, 16 trams were extended with a low-floor center section between 1993 and 1996, adding 14 seats and 32 standing places.

Standardisation and Further Expansion (2000–2010)

As ridership continued to grow, a decision was made in 2000 to equip the remaining fleet with low-floor center sections as well.

Technical improvements made this extension more efficient (car body length increased from 7.5 m to 8.7 m, seating capacity from 14 to 26).

Phase-Out and Replacement (2020–2024)

• 2020: The first CAF Zeelijn trams arrived in Ostend.

• 2021: 34 CAF trams were in service, with BN trams still partially active.

• 2022: Only 12 BN trams remained in operation.

• September 23, 2023: The last BN tram ran on the coastal line.

Preservation for Future Generations

Three BN trams have been preserved:

• 6017 – original single-articulated BN tram.

• 6025 – with short low-floor center section.

• 6102 – the only remaining Charleroi-type BN tram used on the coast.