Talk:Powered Rail/Archive 1

Reason to have gold
Finaly, a useful use for gold! --Biofan30 14:55, 16 April 2011 (UTC)

Gold tracks
Can we please remove that gold part until it is either confirmed by Notch or Jeb_, or it is actually in the game? Levy 17:39, 17 April 2011 (UTC)

It was tweeted in the very first discussion. I've added links to the entire conversation now; it's definitely crafted using gold as opposed to iron, but we don't have any evidence about the specific crafting pattern other than that there's no reason for it to be different. —KPReid 18:35, 17 April 2011 (UTC)

Boosting Effect
It looks like powered track actually will start a minecart moving if the direction is unambiguous, such as when the cart is at the end of the track. Harbinger0x7c0 16:30, 19 April 2011 (UTC)

Heh... Page got updated while I wrote the comment. Harbinger0x7c0 16:50, 19 April 2011 (UTC)

Added a short video on crafting and properties.SniperCharlie 19:20, 19 April 2011 (UTC)

It's so ineffective... Boosters give a much nicer speed then theese and are not hard to build at all. Gold still useless.--Atr755 20:39, 19 April 2011 (UTC)

Images
I can't upload images for whatever reason, so here's the large images. If someone could upload them and put them into the article, that would be great. Both are already run through OptiPNG.

On: http://i.min.us/ikCzYK.png

Off: http://i.min.us/ik8hAC.png

EvilHom3r 18:08, 19 April 2011 (UTC)


 * Thanks, uploaded both. Using the "Off" one for the image for now.  Like the Sapling image, this should probably be turned into an animated gif eventually.  -- Theothersteve7 18:24, 19 April 2011 (UTC)


 * Here is a gif, if you think that's better - http://wkter.com/dw/powered_rail.gif -- Wkter 18:44, 19 April 2011 (UTC)


 * Beautiful! Thanks.  --Theothersteve7 19:22, 19 April 2011 (UTC)

Powered Rails uphill
Has anyone found a good way to use these for hill climbing? At the moment it seems very difficult, almost pointless, to climb hills with these.
 * It seems like the detector rails doesn't work on slopes, so I just use powered tracks all the way up... Of course, that will get very expensive in the end. Your other choice is to use 1 powered, 1 regular, like this: http://wkter.com/dw/2011-04-19_22.27.16.png, however, it seems like it's cheapest and easiest to continue using boosters here. Wkter 20:34, 19 April 2011 (UTC)

If you use redstone to power it instead of the detector it works much nicer, and you only really need 1 booster every three blocks unless you would like to actually pick up speed going up the hill. Shenaniguins 04:33, 22 April 2011 (UTC)

"Slanted power rails" DO boost
I'd rather not go around editing when I don't now what I'm doing but it states that they do not which is incorrect. Try it out yourself. Put a bunch of normal flat rails, then have powered boosters going up. --Multisensory 19:15, 20 April 2011 (UTC)
 * I happened to do this too earlier, they do power uphill. I'll edit it and see if it sticks.
 * I can confirm they do power uphill. Look at my screenshot above. Wkter 21:29, 20 April 2011 (UTC)


 * My whole minecart track is a steep slope out of my mine. They definately power uphill (and downhill) it's the only way my track would even start! – ultradude25 ( T at 01:42, 21 April 2011 (UTC)

My test.
I have done a few small test and noticed that a powered minecart uses less coal when it goes over a Powered Rail. Please Confirm.

-Test was done on two 12 length loop tracks with one having one powered track and the cart being set off at almost the same time, time difference is a lost 3 mins longer.

Powered Minecarts also stop when the go over a Off Powered Rail.

On normal rails 1 bump from the side is enough to move a cart forward on a rail. It takes 2 to 3 bumps on a Off Powered Rail, while only 2 on a dirt tile and 1 on ice.

Anyone had the problem yet where the Powered Rail does slope on an angle if there is a no air tiles on it left/right side ? It stays flat in a sloped tunnel when I start from bottom and go up.

and my test video part one

--Axeblade346 03:12, 21 April 2011 (UTC)

Since powered minecarts use a coal over time system it would make sense that less coal would be used over a distance since it is going faster. They are both slower and heavier than an occupied minecart so when they encounter a resistance (off powered tracks resist) they are slowed a greater deal, to a stop. And yes I have that bug as well except it isn't just powered tracks no tracks will lay slanted if you go from bottom to top. Shenaniguins 04:44, 22 April 2011 (UTC)

Pictures and Series Launcher design
I don't seem to be able to add pictures, but here's a basic push-button launcher. Pic (with attached booster down the track)

And here's a series launcher design I made. You can link them together to create stations at various points on a railtrack. Pic

Avalorn 10:37, 21 April 2011 (UTC)

Powered rails can curve
Link to forum thread: http://www.minecraftforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=1020&t=300356

You can also verfiy this easily by testing in game. I edited the trivia bit in the page to add this discovery. Feel free to modify it if you don't like how I worded it, or if you can be 100% certain they always behave like normal rails (preferences of directions, and stuff like that). Bromazepam 13:38, 21 April 2011 (UTC)

Powered Rails versus Boosters
Made a map that clearly shows the difference between using boosters or powered rails as a propulsion system.

Mediafire Link

Result: Powered Rails in 2 settings (1 recommended on this wiki, and the other impractical) and the single cart booster don't even make it up the slope. The double cart booster makes it up and down twice, then a 5th or so back up. Triple cart makes it over 4 times, and adding more carts apparently increases the momentum.

The momentum generated from the double cart booster is more than any practical user would ever require and a triple is sufficient enough to declare it overkill and unnecessary.

Also note that going to the top, then sliding off in a minecart from just a push generates nearly the same momentum as the first Powered Rail setting that is set to the recommended 1 Powered Rail per 25 rails with 4 Powered Rails starting it.

As far as using Powered Rails for an economical and practical propulsion system, it's just disappointing. Double Boosters are the way to go and adding 1 more cart virtually guarantees unlimited speed and momentum for any practical track system. MDR 17:01, 21 April 2011 (UTC)


 * Also thought it fitting to add an important note that displays the important differences between the 2.
 * A Triple Cart Booster can propel a manned minecart higher than 500 blocks. Powered Rails require another Powered Rail every 2-6 Rails (depending on entering momentum) just to keep the momentum up enough not to slide back down. MDR 19:17, 21 April 2011 (UTC)


 * An image or diagram might be more useful than providing the map, and "booster" is kinda vague, since how long it's boosting isn't stated. --JonTheMon 19:19, 21 April 2011 (UTC)


 * The point is space and looks, not how much it boosts. To have a constantly working booster track you just need to have a redstone torch under the block it's on, that can be completely hidden from view, which is much better than having a large ugly booster next to the track that you can't hide. – ultradude25 ( T at 03:27, 22 April 2011 (UTC)

Levers
Instead of using redstone torches which can't be placed as easily, why not use levers? All levers use are cobble and sticks, both of which are very easily attainable resources, as apposed to redstone, which is found deep in caves. Levers can also just be placed on the side of the block the powered track is on or beside the track, making for much easier placement. On another note, powered rails that are off and sloped will stop downward movement, making small minecart stations, that hold a single minecart and release on the push of a button, quite easy. 3nd0fw0r1d

These tracks are acting REALLY odd
This is really hard to explain, but basically I have a powered rail that only accepts power from a redstone torch underneath it, or a stone button connected by wire. Even moving the stone button, but still supplying it with power through a wire doesn't work. Even putting a redstone torch on the bit of wire that the stone button uses to supply power to the track doesn't work. It just doesn't make sense...

I really have no clue what is going on. – ultradude25 ( T at 05:06, 24 April 2011 (UTC)