Comparison

Train Simulator vs Model Railways

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

Head to head
About

Train Simulator

Become a train driver in this 2D simulator, delivering cargo and revitalizing regional economies. Upgrade your locomotives, manage infrastructure, and explore diverse landscapes. Experience realistic train gameplay with dynamic weather.

Highlights
  • Cargo delivery and economic management
  • Train upgrades and modifications
  • Diverse game world exploration
  • Realistic train simulation gameplay
  • Dynamic weather conditions
  • Challenging tasks and contracts
Features
Read full description

In-game regional economies are in poor condition, transport systems are suffering losses, enterprises and factories are idle, and the transport network is not properly maintained. Are you ready to change the situation? Download the 2D train simulator game and put on the shoes of a real train driver! Play Train Simulator and deliver various cargoes from agricultural products and building materials to goods for light and heavy industry. In this train sim, you should meet the heads of railroads, improve relations between the train stations and develop the economic potential of entire regions! You have an impressive list of trains at your disposal. All trains have been recreated from the real drawings. Start with an inconspicuous diesel locomotive, take orders & earn money to get new spare parts and equipment. Upgrade and modify train compositions to handle difficult orders and earn more money. Eventually, unlock the entire fleet of equipment up to the heaviest and most powerful locomotives of the 20th century! On your way, you’ll solve infrastructure problems in a wide variety of places such as deserts, cities, forests, swamps, mountains, and many other game locations. Why you’ll spend hours playing the railroad sim game: - Advanced train management - Deliberate upgrade system - Many challenging tasks - Expansive game world - Real train simulator gameplay - Beautiful 2D graphics & sound effects - Dynamic weather conditions Download Train Simulator for free and enjoy the realistic gameplay! Sign contracts, load wagons, choose a destination, start the engine, and go along the rails of luck!

About

Model Railways

Build and expand your dream model railway system. Collect and merge trains to level up, earn money, and unlock new track layouts. Experience the joy of creating your own miniature world.

Highlights
  • Build model railway systems
  • Collect and merge trains
  • Level up trains
  • Earn in-game money
  • Unlock new layouts
Features
Read full description

Fulfill your childhood dream of building a wonderful model railways system! This is the game you’ve been waiting for the whole time! Add trains, merge them to level up, make tons of money and unlock magnificent railways layouts! What are you waiting for?

Screenshots

Train Simulator4 screens
Model Railways4 screens

Verdict

The call

Train Simulator and Model Railways both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 64% of Train Simulator's written reviews are positive against 24% of Model Railways's. Model Railways's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. Train Simulator sells 14 one-off in-app purchases and Model Railways sells 15 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Train Simulator against 4.7 for Model Railways. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5.3K and 2.4K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 64% of Train Simulator's written reviews are positive against 24% of Model Railways's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Train Simulator ships an update every 2 months, Model Railways every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Train Simulator versus Model Railways: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTrain SimulatorModel Railways
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (5.3K ratings) — better4.7 (2.4K ratings)
Positive reviews64.2% of reviews — better24.3% of reviews
Number of ratings5.3K — better2.4K
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size820 MB444 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAZUR INTERACTIVE GAMES LIMITEDLinh Vu Pham

Customer experience

Train Simulator

All ratings5,239 ratings
Positive92.7%
Neutral3.5%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews193 reviews
Positive64.2%
Neutral10.9%
Negative24.9%

Model Railways

All ratings2,351 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral4.0%
Negative3.7%
Written reviews37 reviews
Positive24.3%
Neutral21.6%
Negative54.1%

User reviews

Train Simulator

From 5.3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • ⭐️ Enjoyable and fun game
  • 🚂 Realistic train simulation
  • 👍 Good graphics and gameplay
  • 💯 Great for train enthusiasts

Room to improve

  • 🙄 Annoying ads
  • 🚧 Difficult hills and terrain
  • 🔧 Frequent need for repairs
  • 🤔 Limited train selection

Model Railways

From 2.4K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Good game
  • 🚀 Lovely game to play

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Lots of bugs
  • 🔒 Ads not removed despite purchase
  • 🐛 Unable to unlock third area/track
  • 🐛 Rewards not granted after watching ads

Bugs and requests

Train Simulator

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Game crashes on startup for some users
  • Inability to save progress or sync across devices
  • Glitches with train performance and handling

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add more train types (steam, electric, etc.)
  • Implement passenger service
  • Improve hill climbing and traction
  • Reduce reliance on ads or provide ad-free option

Model Railways

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Unable to unlock third area/track
  • Rewards not granted after watching ads
  • Inconsistent progression and maxed out trains
  • Game crashes after unlocking second track

Requested features

3 requests
  • More levels/areas
  • Fix bugs and issues
  • Improve progression and unlock system

In-app purchases

14 purchases

Train Simulator

One-time14
  • Engine Boost$0.99
  • Crew 4$1.99
  • Starter pack sale$2.99
Show 11 more
  • Starter Pack$3.99
  • ChME3 Sale$3.99
  • WDM2 Sale$5.99
  • ChME3 Locomotive$5.99
  • More gold boxes$7.99
  • WDM2 Locomotive$7.99
  • EMD SD70 Sale$7.99
  • More silver boxes$7.99
  • FD20 Sale$7.99
  • EMD SD70 Locomotive$9.99
  • FD20 Locomotive$10.99
15 purchases

Model Railways

One-time15
  • Engineer of Train$0.99
  • Engineer of Roller Coaster$0.99
  • Accountant of Train$0.99
Show 12 more
  • Accountant of Roller Coaster$0.99
  • Money Pack 1$0.99
  • CEO of Train$1.99
  • CEO of Roller Coaster$1.99
  • Super Deal of Train$2.99
  • Epic Deal of Roller Coaster$2.99
  • Super Deal of Roller Coaster$2.99
  • Epic Deal of Train$2.99
  • Coin Pack 3$3.99
  • Money Pack 3$3.99
  • No Ads$4.99
  • Coin Pack 6$14.99

Questions

Is Train Simulator free?
Train Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Model Railways free?
Model Railways is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Train Simulator or Model Railways?
Train Simulator is rated higher. Train Simulator averages 4.7 out of 5 from 5.3K ratings, while Model Railways averages 4.7 from 2.4K ratings.
Do Train Simulator or Model Railways have ads?
Both Train Simulator and Model Railways show ads.
Which is updated more often, Train Simulator or Model Railways?
Train Simulator ships an update every 2 months, and Model Railways every 2 weeks. Most recently, Train Simulator was updated on October 30, 2026 and Model Railways on October 30, 2026.

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