Why are minecarts so slow?

Why are minecarts so slow? If your mine cart track is in a straight line, then having walls on either side should not slow it down. If your track is running diagonally, or if it turns a corner with the walls tightly around it, then the cart may experience some “dragging”; That is, the cart will slow down as it encounters the wall.

If your mine cart track is in a straight line, then having walls on either side should not slow it down. If your track is running diagonally, or if it turns a corner with the walls tightly around it, then the cart may experience some “dragging”; That is, the cart will slow down as it encounters the wall.