Minecraft Rails: How to Make Them and Where to Find Them
Let’s talk about Rails in Minecraft—and why they’re awesome for your world!
So... have you ever wanted to build a super cool railway in Minecraft?
Maybe you dreamed of zipping between your house and the village in seconds... or making a roller coaster just for fun?
Well, you can’t do any of that without rails. They are the secret to making minecarts actually move. And guess what? They’re not hard to make at all!
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to craft rails, where to find them easily, and how to use them like a pro—even if you’re just starting in the game.
Ready? Let’s roll!
What are Rails in Minecraft—and Why Should You Care?
In Minecraft, a minecart without rails is like... a car without a road.
Useless, right?
Rails are like the tracks for your minecart. Without them, your cart can’t go anywhere. With rails, you can:
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Zoom across your world
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Carry items automatically
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Build crazy rollercoasters
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Make secret tunnels or fun rides for friends
Even better? Rails are super flexible. They work for both serious survival bases and fun creative builds.
How to Make Rails (And It’s Easier Than You Think!)
Okay, let’s get straight to the point. To craft rails, you’ll need just three things:
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6 Iron Ingots (You get these by smelting iron ore)
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1 Stick (Easy—just craft two wooden planks into sticks)
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A Crafting Table (Every player should have this!)
Here’s how you do it, step-by-step:
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Open your Crafting Table.
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Place 3 iron ingots on the left side (one in each box).
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Place 3 iron ingots on the right side.
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Pop your stick in the middle.
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Boom! You get 16 rails.
Yes—16! Isn’t that a sweet deal?
But Wait… Is Iron Hard to Get?
A little, at the start. Iron is deep underground, and you need lots for big projects.
If you plan to make tons of rails, build an Iron Farm or go mining with friends. It saves time—and is way more fun.
Where Can You Find Rails Without Crafting? (A Little Minecraft Secret!)
Good news—rails also appear naturally in the world. So you don’t always have to make them.
1. Abandoned Mineshafts (Underground Adventure!)
These spooky old tunnels are full of rails—and treasure chests.
But beware—Cave Spiders live here. They’re poisonous and mean! Bring torches, armor, and maybe a sword or two.
Find a mineshaft, explore carefully, and you’ll get plenty of rails for free.
2. Woodland Mansions (Rare but Rewarding)
These huge houses sometimes have rails in hidden rooms.
But here’s the catch—they’re super rare and full of tough mobs like Evokers and Illagers. Not the best place for beginners... but the treasure is worth it if you’re brave!
Quick Tip:
Mineshafts are WAY easier for finding rails early on. Stick to those if you’re just starting out.
How to Use Rails Like a Minecraft Pro
So you’ve got rails... what now?
You can use them to make minecart tracks—but they only work on full solid blocks (like stone or dirt). Just place the rail on top by right-clicking. Easy.
But here’s something important:
Regular rails don’t move minecarts by themselves.
You need to give the cart a push or use Powered Rails for automatic movement.
Changing Tracks with Redstone (For the Tech Lovers!)
Want to make your minecart change direction? Use Redstone Levers or Buttons next to curved rails. It’s fun and makes cool train stations or secret passages!
Cool Real-Life Ways You Can Use Rails
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Build a Roller Coaster! (Perfect for Creative Mode)
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Travel between your base and mine fast
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Make automatic item farms (like for crops or mob drops)
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Create secret escape tunnels (so sneaky!)
Impress your friends with working trains—or make life easier in survival mode.
Some Friendly Tips for You
✔️ Want lots of rails? Make an Iron Farm early on.
✔️ Exploring mineshafts? Bring torches, armor, and food!
✔️ Need speed? Use slopes or Powered Rails to keep minecarts moving.
✔️ Feeling creative? Build a roller coaster—you’ll have a blast!
Let’s Answer Your Rail Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I pick up rails after placing them?
Yes! Just break them with any tool (or bare hands).
2. Do rails work on slabs?
Only on top-half slabs or upside-down stairs. Otherwise—nope.
3. Can mobs use rails?
Some mobs (like villagers) can ride minecarts. Fun prank idea? Maybe!
4. How many rails do I get when I craft?
16 per recipe! That’s plenty for a short track.
5. Are Woodland Mansions worth raiding for rails?
Not really. Mineshafts are easier and safer.
Final Thoughts: Rails Make Minecraft Better—So Use Them!
Rails are one of the simplest ways to make your Minecraft world more fun—and more useful.
Want to move between your house and mine faster? Build a rail track.
Want to make a roller coaster to impress your friends? Rails make that happen.
Whether you play Survival or Creative... rails are your secret weapon for building epic projects.
So grab your pickaxe. Find some iron. Or head into a dark mineshaft. Your next rail adventure awaits!