On a multiplayer server, make sure the route doesn’t pass through anyone’s basement without their permission.
A deeper subway is impractical unless people need to move between underground locations. Always stay above block 10, since lava is very common below that level. [1] X Research source
Start with one block wide tunnels. You can worry about the view after everything is in place.
To craft a minecart, form a U shape with five iron ingots. You can decorate these areas however you like, but wait until all the rails are laid. You may need to make adjustments along the way. Avoid wool and other flammable materials if lighting with torches.
This type of subway cannot make sharp U-turns, and will have trouble climbing slopes. [2] X Research source
To make a normal rail, place one stick in the center of the crafting area and fill the left and right columns with six iron ingots. To make a powered rail, replace the iron in the above recipe with gold ingots, and place redstone dust below the stick. For a redstone torch, place redstone dust directly above a stick.
Powered rails cannot be used in turns. Use regular rails instead. If your subway changes altitude, you’ll need to use powered rails more frequently on the incline.
If you use the subway for two-way travel in a multiplayer world, consider building two sets of tracks and placing signs to prevent collisions.
Choose a powered rail for the minecart to stop on. Place a redstone-powered piston to push the rail in front of the powered rail out of the way, blocking the cart. Place sticky piston behind the powered rail, which can retract to pull that rail out of the way. Place a second sticky piston opposite the first one, with a solid block in front of it so it can push it behind the stopping minecart.
Since the cart won’t stay on the detector rail, connect the signal to a redstone comparator to maintain the signal after the detector rail is turned off.
You can use the same detector rail and split the signal into two branches, one longer than the other. You’ll need many redstone repeaters on the “start” branch signal so it shows up about thirty seconds later than the “stop” signal.
If you’re building a narrow tunnel with no walkway (just a minetrack), you can use any solid materials. See below for ways to avoid mobs spawning on the track. The walls and ceiling can be made from any materials.
