City of Railroads

There is one constant in Minecraft that we will always cherish – trains, of course. What’s not to love about them? Over time, we’ve developed a strong attachment: the rhythmic clatter of wheels, the thrill of speed, and the allure of new destinations captivated us, while journeys through rocky valleys and old stations deepened our admiration for rail transport.

However, as time passed, my fascination with trains began to wane, and my interest dwindled. Fortunately, Tom Stone, the conductor of Minecraft Pocket Edition, decided to take matters into his own hands and change that. He sent me on an adventure across Europe aboard a steam locomotive from the Valvy train station.

Tom was too broke to buy me a ticket, so he simply wrote “All Tickets” on my face and went off to work. That’s probably why the inspector chased after me in a car shouting, “Catch him!” This bizarre method got me a train ride. I even managed to squeeze in a little run, which certainly benefited my health.

Gregory “GregVDD” Van der Donckt and JoaoDaFonseca, the founders of Valvy, created not just a train station but also a factory for producing high-end, powerful steam engines and elite locomotives. Their vision was to develop a large city reminiscent of southern Belgium in the 1940s, during the heyday of steam trains.

“I aimed to create a world similar to what our ancestors lived in, allowing players to catch a glimpse of their lifestyle,” GregVDD explains. “My goal is to build a sort of time machine where players can travel back, experience the atmosphere of those times, explore, discover something new and unusual, and even find Easter eggs.”

The idea sparked when GregVDD visited the Belgian railway museum. At that time, he was working on building the Titanic and the Eiffel Tower and had considerable experience in Minecraft Bedrock. After taking several photos of trains at the museum, he was inspired to construct one, and the lucky choice was the Baureihe 52. Soon, other trains were added, along with a special map titled “Train Models.”

“The period when I focused on creating a city from the past was fascinating for me,” GregVDD admitted. “New technologies were emerging, it was pre-war times, and trains dominated globally; people were accustomed to seeing trams running down busy streets, massive clouds from locomotives traveling along tracks. It was an inspiring era for me, and I viewed everything through a poetic lens. Unfortunately, I can only see and hear stories about this in Valvy. But at least I have the chance to feel it.

You won’t need to learn all the terminology to fully appreciate the aesthetics of the Valvy railway in Minecraft. Everything is here: a town square, tram station, park, palace, even a sewage system and a vast river adorned with magnificent bridges. “This place allows me to unwind and clear my mind, immersing me in a realm of tranquility and joy, absorbing all extraneous and unnecessary thoughts, even if it’s just by gazing at the surrounding nature and structures,” the creator shares. “The city is modeled after the area where I live, thus carrying the same beauty and ambiance that makes me feel at home.”

To achieve the most realistic landscapes, GregVDD and JoaoDaFonseca invested significant effort and time into biodiversity and construction. One of the most meticulously crafted locations they take pride in is the “Brothers Steilagen” farm. “A cozy little farm amidst fields, yet close enough to the train station, it looks incredibly beautiful,” admits the builder.

Behind this entire city, vibrant landscapes, and astonishingly realistic trains lies over two years of work and 800 hours of gameplay. During this time, it’s easy to lose that spark within you that fuels inspiration, but GregVDD mentioned he still has plenty of coal to keep his creative engine running, thanks to his Portuguese colleague JoaoFonseca.

“Since I now worked alongside a partner, I became more attentive and a bit nervous. Nevertheless, this collaboration made our project more structured and detailed. We’ve become like a real, highly productive team,” says GregVDD.

Currently, there are 10 steam trains in Valvy. According to GregVDD, whenever inspiration strikes, Valvy expands. He has no intention of stopping; rather, this city serves as a canvas for expressing his passion.

The author himself admits that he grew up with his grandparents. Their stories serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for developing and expanding his creative projects in Minecraft Pocket Edition.

“Among all the machinery built on the map, there are two models featuring actual, living steam: the British Class 14XX and the Belgian Type 10. The unforgettable feeling of driving a steam locomotive is simply amazing. You’re controlling a genuine 60-ton engine that can take you around the world, through quaint rural areas and other equally stunning places. Even if you don’t experience all these emotions just by looking at it, I believe the locomotive itself feels incredibly strong and powerful.”

This all sounds fun and exciting. However, the ticket inspector did catch me, and now I’m banned from riding trains. I can’t even wash the marker off my face. Did Tom really need to use a permanent marker?