Fast Clock vs Rail Roster
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Fast Clock
This application simulates a fast clock for model railroads. It allows for custom logos and maps, and can synchronize with external systems like JMRI or use real-time.
- Model railroad fast clock simulation
- Custom logo support
- Custom map integration
- JMRI time synchronization
- Real-time clock option
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A model railroad fast clock app Supports custom logos Supports custom maps Can read time from JMRI, the built-in fast clock, or real time
Rail Roster
Manage and catalog your model train collection with detailed records for trains, accessories, and consists. Track specifications, purchase history, and operational details, with powerful search and filtering tools. Visualize your collection's growth and value with insightful dashboards and charts.
- Catalog trains, accessories, and consists
- Detailed model and prototype specifications
- Track electronics, operation, and maintenance
- Purchase history and value tracking
- Photo support with galleries
- Consist building and analysis tools
- Collection insights and charts
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Rail Roster helps model railroad hobbyists catalog trains, accessories, and consists with rich details, photos, and collection insights. Keep your entire roster in one place. Track model specs, electronics, condition, pricing, prototype info, and notes, then quickly find items with powerful search, sorting, and filters. Key Features • Track trains, accessories, and consists in one collection • Rich train records: category, locomotive type, road name/number, model number, livery, scale, era, coupler type, and notes • Prototype reference fields: builder, operator, dates, wheel arrangement, gauge, speed, horsepower, tractive effort, and more • Electronics and operation tracking: DCC, decoder/address, sound, lights, smoke, dummy units, and maintenance flags • NMRA weight guidance with compliance targets and status • Purchase tracking: date, location, price paid, and MSRP • Photo support across trains, accessories, and consists with thumbnail strips plus full-screen, swipeable, zoomable galleries • Consist tools: member ordering/roles/direction, readiness score, coupler consistency, DCC/DC mix, NMRA compliance, and aggregate stats (length, weight, paid value, MSRP) • Collection Info dashboard: inventory totals and value summary, plus premium charts for category, scale, era, locomotive type, DCC vs DC, NMRA compliance, and collection growth • Fast search, sort, and filter chips (category, scale, era, manufacturer, purchase location, coupler type, locomotive type, DCC, dummy, NMRA, and photo status) • iCloud sync diagnostics with account status, last sync/check timestamps, and detailed sync error history • Preferences and personalization: default scale and alternate app icons Rail Roster is built for collectors who want a clean, visual, data-rich way to manage and grow their model railroad fleet. Premium unlocks unlimited inventory/photos, advanced charts, and all custom app icons. Privacy Policy: https://www.roboticsnailsoftware.com/work/railroster/privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Rail Roster at 5.0 against Fast Clock's 3.8. Fast Clock's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and update cadence (every 2 days vs weekly). 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
Both are free to download. Rail Roster sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. Fast Clock asks for nothing beyond the download.
Rail Roster holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Fast Clock has 5 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Fast Clock ships an update every 2 days, Rail Roster weekly. Both last shipped on October 7, 2026.
| Parameter | Fast Clock | Rail Roster |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.8 (5 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 5 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 days — better | Weekly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 128 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | +4 |
| Developer | Kevin Snow | Robotic Snail Software LLC |
Customer experience
Fast Clock
Rail Roster
In-app purchases
Fast Clock
No in-app purchases
Rail Roster
- Premium - Yearly1 Month trial$4.991 Year
- Small Tip$0.99
- Medium Tip$2.99
- Large Tip$4.99
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- Premium - Lifetime$19.99








