Comparison

Rail Model Track Calc vs ThrottleCard

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Rail Model Track Calc

Easily calculate horizontal and vertical dimensions for diagonal railroad model track layouts. Input track length and angle to get precise measurements for combining different track pieces. Avoid guesswork and ensure accurate model railway construction.

Highlights
  • Calculate horizontal and vertical track lengths
  • Input track length and angle
  • Precise measurements in 0.5 mm increments
  • Error margin less than 0.5mm
  • Reset function for calculations
  • Designed for railroad modeling hobbyists
Features
Read full description

Overview This is an application that can calculate the horizontal and vertical lengths when laying out the railroad model tracks diagonally. For example, when a straight track is laid out after laying a curved track(e.g. 45° angle). Or straight tracks after laying out railroad points (e.g. 15°) etc. If you lay out the track diagonally like this, It is necessary to know the horizontal and vertical dimensions in order to combine other tracks to create a layout. But, it is troublesome to calculate the size. There is also need to rely on intuition. So please, use this application. This application you can easily calculate the dimensions of the track. How to use 1. Enter a millimeter number for the track length. 2. Select an angle. 3. The Horizontal, Difference, and Vertical, which are the calculation results, are displayed. Decimal point can be used. Calculation result As the calculation result, the horizontal length (angle 0°), horizontal difference, and vertical length are displayed in units of 0.5 mm. The error of the calculation result is less than 0.5mm Reset button The numbers and angles are reset. Disclaimer This calculator is for the railroad modeling hobby. The calculation results is the numerical value which be calculated by the developer. It may be different from the numerical value by model manufacturer. In particular, commercially available railroad model rails allow for dimensional errors. Therefore, the calculation results do not necessarily represent what the track layout cannot or can be done. This application is subject to change without notice. The developer assumes no responsibility for any loss or claims by third parties which may arise from the use of this application.

About

ThrottleCard

Control your model railroad with this app featuring vintage-inspired controls and realistic animations. It supports multiple trains, game controllers, and offers advanced features like turnout and route control. A free version is available, with a premium subscription for enhanced functionality.

Highlights
  • Multi-throttle support
  • Vintage-inspired controls
  • Game controller integration
  • Automatic command station discovery
  • Turnout and route control
  • Apple Watch support
Features
Read full description

All aboard! Take control of your model railroad with this elegantly designed app that brings vintage charm to modern model train control. Whether you're a seasoned engineer or just starting your journey in model railroading, ThrottleCard delivers powerful features wrapped in a beautiful, easy-to-use interface. Hear what the community is saying: "FINALLY! The BEST Model Railroad Mobile App for IPhone?" - DIY and Digital Railroad YouTube Channel KEY FEATURES: * Control multiple trains simultaneously with intuitive multi-throttle support * Beautiful vintage-inspired gauges and controls with realistic animations * Game Controller Support! Easily drive your Trains with a PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or MFi Game Controller with pre-mapped buttons * Landscape mode on iPhone is optimized for excellent compatibility with handheld MFi Game Controllers. * Easily create consists on the fly right from within the app * Automatic command station discovery * Comprehensive locomotive function control * Full turnout (switch) control * Routes Support * Fast Clock Support * Supports WiThrottle and DCC-EX Protocols * Roster with locomotive images * A variety of classic railroad inspired themes * Haptic Feedback for intuitive responsiveness and operation * Mirror-Mode mode for comfortable operation in either hand * Multiple classic railroad-inspired themes * iPad support * Apple Watch Support With many more exciting features in the roadmap! To use ThrottleCard, simply connect to any WiThrottle Protocol enabled command station including JMRI, DCC-EX, and various commercial offerings. ThrottleCard can be used for free without a subscription to control the speed, direction, and functions of a single locomotive at a time, throw turnouts, and change to any of the railroad inspired themes. Subscribe to Premium for $0.99/Month or $9.99/Year - 16% off - to unlock the ability to control multiple trains (cards), multiple locomotives in a consist, game controllers, routes, locomotive programming* and to support the future development of additional, exciting features! We’ll even give you a week free to try it out. ThrottleCard Watch will mirror the throttles you have setup on your phone and will allow for remote control of speed with the Digital Crown as well as light, horn, and bell control right from your wrist. For best results, change the "Return to Clock" settings for ThrottleCard watch to "After 1 Hour" by going to Settings (on watch or watch iOS app) > General > Return To Clock > ThrottleCard > Choose "Custom" > Choose "After 1 Hour" below. This will keep ThrottleCard open on your watch longer while it's in the foreground. We’re committed to making the best tools possible for the model railroad community and would love to hear your feedback on the features you’d like to see next. Get started with the latest in model railroading today! *DCC-EX Command Station is required for locomotive programming. The ‘WiThrottle protocol’ is a communications protocol developed by Brett Hoffman. ‘WiThrottle’ is a trademark owned by Brett Hoffman. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://throttlecard.com/privacy.html

Screenshots

Rail Model Track Calc4 screens
ThrottleCard4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: ThrottleCard at 50% against Rail Model Track Calc's 0%. ThrottleCard also leads on rating (4.3 vs 1.0) and update cadence (weekly vs every 18 months). Rail Model Track Calc's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.4 vs 17.5). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. ThrottleCard sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Rail Model Track Calc asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ThrottleCard holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ThrottleCard has 11 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Rail Model Track Calc's written reviews are positive against 50% of ThrottleCard's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Rail Model Track Calc ships an update every 18 months, ThrottleCard weekly. The most recent releases landed on August 6, 2026 and July 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Rail Model Track Calc versus ThrottleCard: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRail Model Track CalcThrottleCard
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (1 ratings)4.3 (11 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings111 — better
Update frequencyEvery 18 monthsWeekly — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS15.4 — better17.5
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB117 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNobuyuki KumakuraRyan Gant

Customer experience

Rail Model Track Calc

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

ThrottleCard

All ratings11 ratings
Positive72.7%
Neutral18.2%
Negative9.1%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

Rail Model Track Calc

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

ThrottleCard

Subscriptions2
  • ThrottleCard Premium - Monthly7 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • ThrottleCard Premium - Yearly7 Days trial$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Rail Model Track Calc free?
Rail Model Track Calc is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ThrottleCard free?
ThrottleCard is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Rail Model Track Calc or ThrottleCard?
ThrottleCard is rated higher. Rail Model Track Calc averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while ThrottleCard averages 4.3 from 11 ratings.
Do Rail Model Track Calc or ThrottleCard have ads?
Both Rail Model Track Calc and ThrottleCard show ads.
Which is updated more often, Rail Model Track Calc or ThrottleCard?
Rail Model Track Calc ships an update every 18 months, and ThrottleCard weekly. Most recently, Rail Model Track Calc was updated on August 6, 2026 and ThrottleCard on July 6, 2026.

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