New Model Technology

New Model Technology (NMT) refers to the category of movable vehicles made possible using minecraft models, included in a resource pack which players would need to install in order to see the vehicles themselves. This is made possible using the attachments functionality within TrainCarts, which was introduced in their update for Minecraft 1.12.2

History

NMT's roots go before the introduction of attachments in traincarts, with ideas proposed in 2016 that would see the regular minecart textures and models modified to give a more defined train-like feel for the WolvHaven Metro (4th Haven). This idea was shelved as it was determined to be too inflexible for the rest of the server.

Model0 Proof of concept

The resurgence of interest in NMT occurred on 17 March 2019 with the introduction of the Model0 made by User:GukkyGukz. The Model0 was the very first proof-of-concept that modeled trains could work for the server. Each car for the train consisted of two 2m wide doors on each side and was 10m long, with a narrow profile of just 1m.

However, despite the proof-of-concept, several challenges remained that deferred its adaptation, namely the lack of knowledge of how to scale up the models beyond their existing 1m width for the server.

In addition, NMT was not adopted in the WolvHaven Metro (4th Haven) due to pre-existing constraints. Tracks were only able to support the narrow-profile loading gauge of 1m. Curves and gradients were only designed for use with singular minecarts in mind, and were thus too tight or steep. The entire system would have had to undergo a major rebuild or overhaul to support NMT.

NMT in the server

Despite its lack of official implementation on the server, NMT has been adopted in several cities in Gardellia and Calidia

Odaki

Odaki, owned by User:GukkyGukz - the same creator of the model0 was the first city in the server to feature and use NMT. It is in use on the Odaden tram system, featuring old-styled Japanese inspired tram vehicles

Furthrat

Furthrat, owned by User:Jotch features NMT in its U-Bahn system, featuring rolling stock heavily inspired by the Berlin U-Bahn. In addition, tests are being developed in Furthrat for NMT-based busses.

Barcester

The Met in the city of Barcester when complete, will be the first urban heavy-rail Metro system in Calidia, and will feature NMT Rolling Stock, designed by National Solutions

Croxley

Croxley Tramlink in Croxley, owned by MrMinecraft1423, will soon have the first NMT tram, also designed by National Solutions. They are to be based on the Stadler Variobahn, specifically the Croydon Variobahn.

Fifth Haven

NMT is planned to be primarily adopted in Fifth Haven for its rail network, and would be able to fit in its new standardized tunnels and track infrastructure as it was designed to be compatible for conversion with the Real Train Mod for players to download and enjoy in single player.

The very first implementation of NMT in the Fifth Haven world is in the Capitol Monorail (Wolv Haven), where monorail trains made using models consisting of multiple Minecraft blocks were used.

Tools

Blockbench is a commonly used tool for the creation of Minecraft models.

Criticism

NMT-based systems have come under criticism for neglecting players with less powerful computers. NMT Vehicles that contain excessive models have been notorious for causing degradation in client-side performance, resulting in lower FPS on average.

Other criticisms include the move away from the server's principle of not requiring a resource pack to play.