# Trains Magazine vs Model Train Script

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.

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 14, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Trains Magazine | Model Train Script |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[2.8 (53 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trains-magazine/id570738984/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **53** | — |
| Positive reviews | 8.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 96 MB | 46 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Flying Media Group, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1600548072) | [Arjan Pragt](https://appshunter.io/developer/1654600131) |

## What reviewers say

### Trains Magazine

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trains-magazine/id570738984)

Access in-depth features, news, and expert commentary on all things railroading. Enjoy a customizable reading experience with offline access and interactive navigation.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Trains Magazine | $4.99 | per month |
| Trains Magazine | $44.95 | per year |
| Big Boys on Sherman Hill | $0.99 | one-time |
| January 2013 | $5.99 | one-time |
| February 2013 | $5.99 | one-time |
| March 2013 | $5.99 | one-time |
| April 2013 | $5.99 | one-time |
| February 2014 | $5.99 | one-time |
| August 2016 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Locomotive 2013 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Locomotives 2016 | $9.99 | one-time |


### Model Train Script

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/model-train-script/id6444422153)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Donation for ModelTrainScript | $9.00 | one-time |
| License | $12.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Trains Magazine free?

Trains Magazine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Model Train Script free?

Model Train Script is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Trains Magazine or Model Train Script have ads?

Neither Trains Magazine nor Model Train Script shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Trains Magazine or Model Train Script?

Trains Magazine ships an update every 4 months, and Model Train Script every 3 weeks. Most recently, Trains Magazine was updated on October 14, 2026 and Model Train Script on October 4, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*