7008 in service in October on service 44 at Woluwe Tram 2000 has reported that Friday 12 February has been set as the date for final service operation of the single ended Brussels PCCs. 171 cars (plus a nearly new one acquired from Hamburg) were built for Brussels between 1951 and 1971. The preceded the introduction of 127 two section and 61 three section articulated cars evolved from PCC technology in the 1970s.
Today PCC operation is restricted to routes 39 and 44 along Avenue du Tervuren from Montgomery past the recently rebuilt depot and museum at Woluwe. The routes split at Madou with the 39 running to Stokkel and Ban Eik and the 44 through the forest to Tervuren Station. 20 cars are required each day officially from Elsene depot though many cars overnight at Woluwe. If you are fortunate you can catch a PCC on the positioning runs to/from Flagey on routes 81/83.
Today the active PCC fleet comprises the venerable 7008 of 1952, 7021, 7022, 7043 of 1953 and the entire 1971 batch 7156 to 7171. 7036 is also in stock but believed restricted to driver training use whilst 7019, 7042, 7052 and 7055 exist as works cars, rebuilt with full cabs at both ends, 7052 being a dedicated training car.
The farewell will no doubt involve the excellent museum collection which includes 7016 in yellow with refurbished interior (as per 7156-7171), 7047 under restoration to original condition, 7065 current under repaint into primrose livery, 7093 restored to the mixed pantograph and trolley era representing its role in the royal opening of the tramway subways and 7126 equipped as a Television car.
Restored 7093 at Woluwe Museum
Preserved 7016 operates through the North-South subway on an anniversary running day in May 2008
Preserved 7047 is midway through restoration and is seen here in October 2009 being towed to the STIB workshops for completion