# TouchCab — DCC Model Railway Control

> Wireless DCC model railroad controller for ESU, Märklin, and Lenz command stations. (iPhone/iPad app by Mike Sutherland.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/touchcab/id306441868 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Mike Sutherland](https://appshunter.io/developer/1090097511)
- Category: Utilities, Lifestyle
- Price: $9.99
- Rating: 2.14/5 from 7 App Store ratings · 13 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 8.0 · 5 MB
- Languages: Danish, English, French, German, Spanish, Swedish
- Released: 2009-02-28
- Data updated: 2026-08-22
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/touchcab/id306441868/reviews.md

## What is TouchCab?

You have a model railroad. You have an ECoS or ECoS2 digital command station from ESU, a Central Station from Märklin or a Lenz v3.6 command station. You also have an iPhone or an iPod touch from Apple and a wireless network connected to the command station. 

Would you like to run your model railroad from the iPhone or iPod? You can - with TouchCab.

So what is TouchCab?

TouchCab is a handheld controller for your DCC (Digital Command Control) model railroad / railway / train set. With TouchCab you can follow your trains around your layout without having to worry about plugging and unplugging a wired device. You can throw switches/turnouts and set train routes as you move along.

Features:

- Control all the locomotives defined in the command station.
- Access up to 29 functions of each locomotive.
- Clear overview of the locomotive’s speed and state.
- Easily change the throttle from left- to right handed operation.
- Wireless network connection to the command station.
- Control all switches/turnouts and signals defined in the command station.
- Locomotives and accessories are listed alphabetically, regardless of their order in the command station lists.

Supported DCC command stations:

ECoS 50000 by ESU (v1.1.3 or higher)
ECoS 2 50200 by ESU (v3.2.0 or higher)
Central Station 60212 by Märklin (v2.0.4 or higher)
Lenz 23151 XpressNet Interface with Lenz v3.6 command stations LZV100 or LZ100

Requirements:


-Digital Model Railway with a compatible DCC Command Station
- Network connection to the command station
- Wireless connection to the iPhone or iPod Touch

Instructions:

- Tap the speed wedge in either side to speed up and slow down your trains
- Change speed gradually by dragging across the speed wedge
- Double-tap the halt button to halt all trains.
- Swipe the function buttons sideways to access locomotive functions above F7
- Switch between left and right hand operation from the options tab
- Control routes and turnouts from the turnouts tab
- Control signals and other accessories from the signals tab

Want to try before your buy?

Try TouchCab Free - a feature limited free version that is built on the same code base as TouchCab.

## Key features

- Wireless DCC model railroad control
- Control locomotives and their functions
- Manage speed and train routes
- Operate switches and signals
- Alphabetical listing of locomotives and accessories
- Switchable left/right-handed operation

## Recent user reviews (10 of 13)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/touchcab/id306441868/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Doesn't connect

*2022-03-31, version 1.8.4*

Doesn't connect to command station despite correct IP address. Other app EcoS Cab connects fine. Waste of $10!

### 1/5 — Does not connect

*2020-07-20, version 1.8.4*

Not a great app. Waste of money. Would not connect. Put in esu cab control address and port. Nothing

### 5/5 — An excellent wireless throttle I highly recommend!

*2019-04-28, version 1.8.4*

Touchcab is an excellent app, really easy to use and intuitive. To govern speed, you simply slide your finger across the triangular shaped icon. Tapping on the OK button at the top right is emergency stop. You can set it to shut down just that locomotive or the entire system. Tapping on the green arrow at upper left changes direction. You can assign functions with icons to each F button and set a maximum speed which makes it pretty intuitive. You can configure all your locomotives in Touchcab on one iPhone and share that setup with the others on the same system. I use it with a Lenz LZV100 command unit connected via ethernet cable to a Lenz 23151 Ethernet interface which is connected via ethernet cable to a dedicated Apple Airport extreme base station. I highly recommend this app and look forward to the next version!

### 1/5 — Waist of time

*2019-03-02, version 1.8.4*

Just another app that doesn’t work properly.

### 5/5 — excellent app

*2019-01-24, version 1.8.4*

Excellent app. I've been using it on and off for years and have had no problems through several upgrades.

### 1/5 — Worst user experience

*2017-10-21, version 1.8.4*

With new iOS, TouchCab appears to crash easily.  Extremely worst user experience, worthless to update.

### 5/5 — Unuseable on my iOS 10 iPhone 6s+

*2017-09-03, version 1.8.3*

Glad fir this critical DCC open APP

### 5/5 — ESU Ecos2 use

*2015-12-21, version 1.8.3*

Downloaded the full version to use on my iPod Touch with my ESU Ecos2 station.

The one apparent problem I had was with the speed slider region.  While tapping on the left side to decel, being sure not to touch the lower triangle, the app still assumed I was trying to tap on the x-coord location of the triangle, leading to sudden accels.  I seem to avoid this by tapping directly over the speed number (upper left) when wanting to decel.

On the plus side, I was very impressed how quickly the app linked to the Ecos2.  After giving the IP address of the Ecos2, TouchCab seamlessly pulled up the Ecos2's locomotive database (no accessories stored) and all were accessible, even the multi-loco consists.  Aside from the sensitive speed slider, buttons for power and functions are easy to push.

The ability to "swipe" to the higher functions over F7 is also great, works faster than most other systems or throttles to access higher functions.

Compared to instead spending hundreds of $$ for a ESU Mobile Control throttle, this app comes off as quite a bargain.  Highly recommend for US owners of ESU Ecos seeking wireless throttle options.

### 5/5 — Wow!

*2013-03-03, version 1.7.1*

Supereasy to install and so much better to use than ESU' wireless controller. 

Highly recommended - especially considering the low price!

Thanks for creating this app!

### 5/5 — Marklin CS1

*2012-12-22, version 1.7.1*

Started using this App about 2 years ago and never had a problem. Install and upgrades easy and simple to use. Friends who have iPhones install the free app on their phones and enjoy running trains on the layout also.

## Frequently asked questions about TouchCab

### What command stations does TouchCab support?

TouchCab supports ESU ECoS (v1.1.3+), ESU ECoS 2 (v3.2.0+), Märklin Central Station (v2.0.4+), and Lenz v3.6 command stations with a Lenz XpressNet Interface.

### Can I try TouchCab before buying?

Yes, there is a feature-limited free version called TouchCab Free available, built on the same code base, allowing you to test its functionality.

### What are the system requirements for TouchCab?

You need a digital model railway with a compatible DCC command station, a network connection to the command station, and a wireless connection to your iPhone or iPod touch.

### How do I control my trains with TouchCab?

You can tap or drag the speed wedge to control train speed, double-tap the halt button to stop all trains, and swipe function buttons to access locomotive functions above F7.

### Does TouchCab have ads?

The provided data does not specify if TouchCab contains advertisements. However, the paid model suggests it is likely ad-free.

### What is the age rating for TouchCab?

TouchCab is rated 4+ by Apple, making it suitable for users of all ages.

### How often is TouchCab updated?

The latest version, 1.8.4, was released on September 12, 2017. This indicates infrequent updates in recent years.

### What is the user sentiment for TouchCab?

TouchCab has an average rating of 2.1 stars from 7 ratings, suggesting a mixed to negative user reception.

## Version history (last 1 release)

### 1.8.4 — 2017-09-12

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Updated UI to be more inline with the current iOS.
Built for 64 Bit.
ECoS Auto Discovery.
Various other bugs were squished.

## Apps similar to TouchCab

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-22.*