PCC Trams 6208, 01, 25, and 6215
The PCC tram, first in the typical blue with the doors and framework in yellow during the time of the Intercommunal Transport Company of Ghent (MIVG) and since 1991 also in the colors of De Lijn, is a very recognizable tram for many people in Ghent. Between 1971 and 1974, a total of 54 were put into service on all then-existing tram lines: successively on lines 4 (from May 1, 1971), 1 (November 2, 1971), 2 (December 4, 1972), and 10 (February 8, 1974). These were the first new trams for Ghent since 1913!
PCC refers to the Presidents' Conference Committee: to ensure the future of the tram in American cities, the managements of the American tram companies met in 1929 to develop a modern standard tram. The PCC tram was a revolutionary design at the time with very smooth driving characteristics and foot control. But most striking was the very streamlined design and the rounded body.
Tram manufacturer (the later) BN from Bruges and ACEC (from Charleroi) acquired the license in Europe to build PCC trams. PCC trams were produced for The Hague and Marseille, but especially for the NMVB, Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent.
The Ghent PCC is a bidirectional version that, compared to the three-axle trams it replaced, had a very large capacity and could carry up to 100 passengers. For more than 25 years, they dominated the Ghent tram network until the arrival of the first articulated Hermelijn in 1999. From then on, their deployment began to decrease; since the arrival of the Albatross trams, the PCC is no longer seen in regular service. Seven trams moved to Antwerp in 2018 because there was a need for bidirectional trams on tram line 12 due to the elimination of a turning loop.
Between 1999 and 2003, 22 PCC trams were thoroughly renovated to the so-called PCC2 type. The most notable changes were a fully enclosed cab for the tram driver, air conditioning, and the installation of outward-swinging pivot doors.
PCC 01 is in the original MIVG version and colors.
PCC 25 is also adorned in the MIVG colors but presents itself in a version from 1999.
PCCs 6208 and 6215 (the trams were renumbered upon acquisition by De Lijn and were placed in the 62xx series in Ghent) were converted to the PCC2 type and therefore carry the De Lijn livery.
