Timetracks4D vs Rail
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Timetracks4D
Create unique moving photographs with a slit-scan camera effect. Adjust scan movement, time intervals, resolution, and exposure for custom results. Automatically save your creations periodically.
- Slit-scan camera effect
- Adjustable scan movement (One-way, Palindrome, Still)
- Customizable scan time interval
- Image resolution settings
- Scan line width adjustment
- Exposure lock
- Automatic image saving
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Timetracks4D is a camera that cuts time out as if it were space. Think of video as a cube stacked in three directions: width, height and time. Ordinary playback cuts that cube straight across time and shows you the slices one after another. Timetracks4D tilts the cut. Once it is tilted, every place on the screen shows a different moment: whatever held still comes out as it was, and only what moved is twisted. ■ Two ways to shoot [Movie] Records while the cut turns. The tilt changes from frame to frame, so the picture keeps moving. Angle, Speed and Window Time change how it twists. [Still] Builds one picture by stacking narrow bands, one at a time. Each band was taken at a different moment, so the finished picture reads as the flow of time from top to bottom. This is the slit scan, the way the first Timetracks worked. It saves a long picture: eight screenfuls joined end to end, each at the camera's own resolution. Both are made from the same camera feed, but they treat time differently, so each one has its own settings. ■ Main settings - Camera (Back / Front), Zoom (Lens), Resolution, Frame Rate - Transform (Shear / Rotate) and the edge time runs along (Long Edge / Short Edge) - Auto Rotate speed, Angle, Window Time - How the band moves (One-way / Palindrome / Wave / Fixed / Drift / Random) - Interval between bands, from single frames to hours - Scan Width - Full Screen, Show Buttons, Touch Gestures, Prevent Auto-Lock - Add Location There is a button that randomizes the settings. If you are not sure what to touch first, press that. ■ Getting a good result Hold the device still. If the device moves, the whole picture moves with it and you cannot tell that apart from the subject moving. A tripod or a table is the sure way. Point it at something that moves. A still subject seen from a still device gives the same picture at every moment, so nothing happens. People walking, a hand, water, traffic, anything swaying in the wind - these work well. Once you have the feel of it, try moving the device instead. That is where the more complicated shapes come from. ■ Pricing Everything except recording is free. Play with the camera and the settings as much as you like; the picture you would get is on the screen already. Try it first. Full Access (a one-time in-app purchase) removes the ad and lets you save movies and stills. If you have already bought Timetracks, you do not need to buy anything. Full Access turns on by itself when you update.
Rail
This app connects railway enthusiasts globally to share their passion for trains, models, and travel. Users can upload photos and details of their model collections, showcase custom alterations, display dioramas, and share railway photography. It aims to foster a community for hobbyists and newcomers alike.
- Upload and organize model train collections
- Log model alterations and customizations
- Display and discover diorama creations
- Share and browse railway photography
- Connect with fellow railway hobbyists
- Barcode scanning for KATO products
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● Rail-Navi is the app for railway enthusiasts, allowing you to explore the fun with fellow fans around the world! Brought to you by pioneer of railroad models, KATO (Sekisui Kinzoku Co, Ltd.), the app provides the perfect platform to explore all of the wonderful aspects of the railway hobby - from railroad models, to photography, rail travel, and more! Use your knowledge to “navi”gate newcomers and share your enthusiasm with like-minded others! Rail-Navi offers new ways to showcase your interests, for example by uploading content to your “Library,” and building your “Collections”. You can also make your uploads public, so that they can be viewed by others. By providing a platform where you can bond over your shared interests, we aim to broaden the hobby and help others to join the club! ● Model Collections You can have your collections ready to show - anytime, anywhere - by using the app to upload your beloved models to your “Collections List.” You can upload photos together with any comments you wish to share with them. You can also view other people’s collections, and potentially discover models you haven’t seen before! When uploading your collections, any KATO branded items can be easily added by scanning the barcode. For models not registered in the Rail-Navi database, you can enter the required information manually. Products from other manufacturers can also be uploaded in the same way. (Please be aware that due to copyright reasons, photos taken by those other than yourself cannot be uploaded). Note: some KATO products may not be registered in the database. ● Model Alterations For those who enjoy making alterations to personalize their models, you can now create a log to record your process. This gives you the opportunity to proudly showcase your work and let other people see your unique creations! Furthermore, by learning about other people’s methods, you can continue to develop your own skills and ideas. If you have never tried it before, you can discover what is possible and begin to start making alterations yourself! ● Diorama Log The world of model railroading allows you to re-create all sorts of scenery and landscapes on dioramas. From dioramas that fill the space of an entire room, to dainty ones that fit in the palm of your hand, Rail-Navi provides a space for you to put your dioramas on display. What’s more, you can learn about how other users make their dioramas and see the variety of methods out there! (We also plan to release information on the latest KATO diorama materials on offer and how to use them!) ● Railway Photo Library Upload your favourite railway photos and take your photo library with you everywhere. By applying a hashtag or comment, you can easily discover more photos of the same trains and find related items. You can also share your photos publicly, to allow everyone to see. There is even the chance that your photo may be chosen for KATO’s new model posters should that train be made into a model! (If your photo is chosen, KATO will request your permission beforehand.) ● Railway Travel Log We are currently preparing a renewed version of the Railway Travel Log. Be sure to check it out when we release the update! ● KATO Official Being the manufacturer that we are, KATO can share all of the relevant news to fans across the globe. Rail-Navi provides exclusive content to help you enjoy model trains to the fullest, from behind-the-scenes stories of product development and hardships, to sharing our staff’s expertise and tricks! 〇 Other Railway Hobbies… Aside from models, photography, and travel, there are tons of ways that we can explore the fun of trains. From now on, we plan to develop Rail-Navi to cater to an even larger scope of railway enthusiasts!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Rail at none against Timetracks4D's 1. Rail also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). On price, review sentiment, update cadence 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
Both are free to download. Timetracks4D sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Rail asks for nothing beyond the download.
Timetracks4D ships an update every 3 weeks, Rail monthly. Both last shipped on October 14, 2026.
| Parameter | Timetracks4D | Rail |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 23.2% of reviews | 25.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Monthly |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 60 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Masayuki Akamatsu | SEKISUI KINZOKU CO., LTD |
Customer experience
Timetracks4D
Rail
In-app purchases
Timetracks4D
- Full Access$3.99
Rail
No in-app purchases









