Modellstraßenbahn – Spur H0 Gauge – Brüsseler PCC von Ferivan – fuhr auch in Hamburg und Kopenhagen

The delivery man has brought something again. Let's see what's in the box. It's a 1:87 scale model of a four-axle PCC tram, type 7000, from the Brussels tram system in the Belgian capital. The H0 scale model comes from the Belgian small-series manufacturer Ferivan, which specializes in tram vehicles from the Benelux countries. The white cardboard box makes a good impression. It's folded, not stapled. The model is securely fixed inside the packaging by several pieces of foam. However, they aren't specifically designed for this model. Brussels has been using trams based on the PCC design principle, which originated in the USA, since 1947. A total of 81 Type 7000 vehicles were in service. Now let's take a closer look at the new model. Oh, what happened? The PCC broke into its main parts during transport. We'll have to take a closer look at that. The model is held together only by small double-sided adhesive strips. Actually, all Ferivan models are securely screwed together. I'll clarify with the manufacturer whether this is correct. Jan Martens from Ferivan quickly answered my inquiry. The PCC model shown here is a pre-production sample. The vehicles that will be available for sale will all be screwed together as usual. Let's now take a closer look at the model, which will be available in H0 and H0m scales. Let's start with the chassis. It uses the Halling drive system. The centrally located motor is equipped with two rather small flywheels, which consequently have little effect. Two cardan shafts transmit the power to the four axles of the two bogies. Current is drawn via sliding contacts on all eight wheels. The single-arm pantograph is not connected as delivered. Anyone wanting to run it on overhead lines will have to get out the soldering iron. The very low-mounted motor ensures an unobstructed view into the passenger compartment. The deep-drawn windows are fitted precisely. The final model includes a sticker sheet with line decals. Only under very high magnification can you see that the decorative lines and numbers are applied as waterslide decals. The pantograph is attached to the roof from the inside with a screw. The screw thread protrudes unsightly from the top of the housing; this could certainly be improved with a slightly shorter screw. The bodies of the Brussels PCC models are made of resin by the Andreas Heyden model workshop in Eckental. Even under magnification and at an angle, the outer walls appear very smooth. Final assembly takes place at Ferivan in Hoogstraten, Belgium. The model is available with and without a motor. An unpainted kit will also be available. At the end of the 1940s, the Belgian capital, Brussels, urgently needed replacements for its two-axle trams. Suitable successors were found in the USA in the form of the PCC trams, which had been developed ten years earlier. PCC stands for Presidents’ Conference Committee, the directors’ conference of the US transit authorities. By 1956, Brussels had received 80 PCC trams, numbered starting with 7001. However, the Type 7000 wasn't only used in Brussels. Hamburg purchased an identical PCC tram in 1951, which received the number 3060. It was used on the relatively straight section of track between Dehnhaide and Farmsen. Due to the large distance between the bogie pivots, collisions with oncoming trams on curves were a constant threat on other lines. Because of this and many other shortcomings, the PCC was transferred to Copenhagen in 1958, where it remained for only three weeks before being sold to Brussels. There, it received the number 7000. Today, the tram, painted in Hamburg colors, operates at the Skjoldenæsholm Tram Museum in Denmark. Let's also briefly examine the dimensions of the Ferivan model. The prototype PCC is 2.20 meters wide and 14.13 meters long. Converted to HO scale, that's 25.3 millimeters and 162.4 millimeters. The 1:87 scale model comes very close to the ideal HO dimensions. It's 26 millimeters wide and 162 millimeters long. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any information on the prototype's height. Now for an important point: What does it cost? Ferdinand has announced the following prices. The unmotorized, ready-to-run model will cost 365 euros. For just 30 euros more, model tram enthusiasts can get the motorized version. So there's little to recommend the unpowered version. Prices for the kits, painted or unpainted, are not yet available. Another thing I noticed: The model doesn't have any couplings. However, the prototype was usually used alone. And I'm missing a windshield wiper. That should definitely be added. There's also no lighting or digital interface.