Trains Magazine vs Model Train Script
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Trains Magazine
Access in-depth features, news, and expert commentary on all things railroading. Enjoy a customizable reading experience with offline access and interactive navigation.
- Probing features and railroad news
- Expert commentary and industry reports
- Detailed maps and photography
- Offline reading of downloaded issues
- Customizable reading modes and font size
- Interactive table of contents
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Trains is the #1 magazine among railroad enthusiasts! Each issue is packed with probing features, railroad news, expert commentary, cutting-edge industry reports, detailed maps and spectular photography covering railroading's influential history and exciting future. Site: https://trains.com/ FEATURES: -Optimized for Your Device: Enjoy a smooth, browser-friendly experience. -Offline Reading: Download issues to your device browser to read anytime, even without wifi. -Bookmarks: Save articles to revisit later. -Text View: Switch to a responsive reading view for comfort. -Reading Modes: Customize background (light, dark, sepia, gray) and adjust font size. -Interactive Table of Contents: Easily jump between articles. NOTE: When purchasing a subscription or single copy of this title, you agree to the privacy and policy and terms of use which can be viewed at http://Firecrown.com/Privacy-Policy and http://Firecrown.com/Terms-of-Use. Trains publishes 12 issues per year, but reserves the right to change the number of issues in an annual term, including discontinuing any format and substituting and/or modifying the manner in which the subscription is distributed. Apple iOS Subscriptions: Subscription(s) will automatically renew via your Apple Account prior to the end of your subscription term. You can turn off the Apple auto-renew feature up to 24-hours before the end of your subscription by going into Apple Account Settings. Subscriptions cannot be cancelled during the active subscription period.
Model Train Script
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ModelTrainScript offers you easy automation of your Z21 or ECoS controlled model train layout. It allows you to configure and run simple automation scripts directly from you iPhone, iPad or Mac. There are a lot of great open source solutions available to automate your layout, however ModelTrainScript has the focus to make automation as easy as possible. We try to do that by offering a user friendly interface for composing scripts and by reducing the amount of physical components you need. No need for a dedicated computer as central unit, just connect your iPhone (or iPad/Mac) and you are ready to go. In short ModelTrainScript has the following features: - Provide easy automation of your layout with scripts - Manual control your layout with graphical representation - Provide a catalog of your vehicle collection - Data is synced via iCloud over all your Apple devices - Ability to use your device camera to control your vehicles ModelTrainScript requires a command station supporting the Z21 or ECoS lan protocol, it supports the following standards: - Feedback: RBus, CBus and LBus (LocoNet) - RailCom (over CBus, LocoNet and ECoSLink) for occupancy detection. For more information visit our website or feel free to contact us in case of any questions or feedback!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Model Train Script at every 3 weeks against Trains Magazine's every 4 months. Trains Magazine's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Trains Magazine sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Model Train Script sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Trains Magazine ships an update every 4 months, Model Train Script every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Trains Magazine | Model Train Script |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.8 (53 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 8.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 53 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 96 MB | 46 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Flying Media Group, LLC | Arjan Pragt |
In-app purchases
Trains Magazine
- Trains Magazine$4.991 Month
- Trains Magazine$44.951 Year
- Big Boys on Sherman Hill$0.99
- January 2013$5.99
- February 2013$5.99
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- March 2013$5.99
- April 2013$5.99
- February 2014$5.99
- August 2016$6.99
- Locomotive 2013$9.99
- Locomotives 2016$9.99
Model Train Script
- Donation for ModelTrainScript$9.00
- License$12.99
Questions
Is Trains Magazine free?
Is Model Train Script free?
Do Trains Magazine or Model Train Script have ads?
Which is updated more often, Trains Magazine or Model Train Script?
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