Comparison

Rail Model Calc vs ThrottleCard

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

Head to head
About

Rail Model Calc

Features
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Overview This is a calculator app that includes calculation functions necessary when playing with railroad model. How to use After launching the app,the first screen that appears is the Home screen, which also serves as a menu. Swipe and tap the menu on the Home screen to transition to various calculation modes. You can use various calculation modes to perform calculations necessary for railway model track length and railway model production. This App offer the following calculation modes. •Home mode Home is available simple calculations. Set F1-F10 memory on this screen. •Normal mode It is a normal calculator. •Straight mode This mode calculates horizontal and vertical lengths when laying a straight rail diagonally. •Curve mode This mode calculates the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lengths when laying a curve rail. •S-Curve mode This mode calculates the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lengths when laying a s-curve rail. •Scale X/Y mode This mode calculates the scale. •Inch to MM mode This mode converts yards and inches to millimeters. For details on how to use it, there is a manual on "?" button. Disclaimer This calculator is for the railroad modeling hobby. The calculation results is the numerical value which be calculated by the developer. It may be different from the numerical value by model manufacturer. In particular, commercially available railroad model rails allow for dimensional errors. Therefore, the calculation results do not necessarily represent what the track layout cannot or can be done. This application is subject to change without notice. The developer assumes no responsibility for any loss or claims by third parties which may arise from the use of this application.

About

ThrottleCard

Control your model railroad with this app featuring vintage-inspired controls and realistic animations. It supports multiple trains, game controllers, and offers advanced features like turnout and route control. A free version is available, with a premium subscription for enhanced functionality.

Highlights
  • Multi-throttle support
  • Vintage-inspired controls
  • Game controller integration
  • Automatic command station discovery
  • Turnout and route control
  • Apple Watch support
Features
Read full description

All aboard! Take control of your model railroad with this elegantly designed app that brings vintage charm to modern model train control. Whether you're a seasoned engineer or just starting your journey in model railroading, ThrottleCard delivers powerful features wrapped in a beautiful, easy-to-use interface. Hear what the community is saying: "FINALLY! The BEST Model Railroad Mobile App for IPhone?" - DIY and Digital Railroad YouTube Channel KEY FEATURES: * Control multiple trains simultaneously with intuitive multi-throttle support * Beautiful vintage-inspired gauges and controls with realistic animations * Game Controller Support! Easily drive your Trains with a PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or MFi Game Controller with pre-mapped buttons * Landscape mode on iPhone is optimized for excellent compatibility with handheld MFi Game Controllers. * Easily create consists on the fly right from within the app * Automatic command station discovery * Comprehensive locomotive function control * Full turnout (switch) control * Routes Support * Fast Clock Support * Supports WiThrottle and DCC-EX Protocols * Roster with locomotive images * A variety of classic railroad inspired themes * Haptic Feedback for intuitive responsiveness and operation * Mirror-Mode mode for comfortable operation in either hand * Multiple classic railroad-inspired themes * iPad support * Apple Watch Support With many more exciting features in the roadmap! To use ThrottleCard, simply connect to any WiThrottle Protocol enabled command station including JMRI, DCC-EX, and various commercial offerings. ThrottleCard can be used for free without a subscription to control the speed, direction, and functions of a single locomotive at a time, throw turnouts, and change to any of the railroad inspired themes. Subscribe to Premium for $0.99/Month or $9.99/Year - 16% off - to unlock the ability to control multiple trains (cards), multiple locomotives in a consist, game controllers, routes, locomotive programming* and to support the future development of additional, exciting features! We’ll even give you a week free to try it out. ThrottleCard Watch will mirror the throttles you have setup on your phone and will allow for remote control of speed with the Digital Crown as well as light, horn, and bell control right from your wrist. For best results, change the "Return to Clock" settings for ThrottleCard watch to "After 1 Hour" by going to Settings (on watch or watch iOS app) > General > Return To Clock > ThrottleCard > Choose "Custom" > Choose "After 1 Hour" below. This will keep ThrottleCard open on your watch longer while it's in the foreground. We’re committed to making the best tools possible for the model railroad community and would love to hear your feedback on the features you’d like to see next. Get started with the latest in model railroading today! *DCC-EX Command Station is required for locomotive programming. The ‘WiThrottle protocol’ is a communications protocol developed by Brett Hoffman. ‘WiThrottle’ is a trademark owned by Brett Hoffman. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://throttlecard.com/privacy.html

Screenshots

Rail Model Calc4 screens
ThrottleCard4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Rail Model Calc at none against ThrottleCard's 2. Rail Model Calc also leads on iOS requirement (15.4 vs 17.5). ThrottleCard's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 14 months). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. ThrottleCard sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Rail Model Calc asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Rail Model Calc ships an update every 14 months, ThrottleCard weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 13, 2026 and July 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Rail Model Calc versus ThrottleCard: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRail Model CalcThrottleCard
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (11 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings11 — better
Update frequencyEvery 14 monthsWeekly — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS15.4 — better17.5
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB117 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNobuyuki KumakuraRyan Gant

In-app purchases

None

Rail Model Calc

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

ThrottleCard

Subscriptions2
  • ThrottleCard Premium - Monthly7 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • ThrottleCard Premium - Yearly7 Days trial$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Rail Model Calc free?
Rail Model Calc is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ThrottleCard free?
ThrottleCard is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Rail Model Calc or ThrottleCard have ads?
Both Rail Model Calc and ThrottleCard show ads.
Which is updated more often, Rail Model Calc or ThrottleCard?
Rail Model Calc ships an update every 14 months, and ThrottleCard weekly. Most recently, Rail Model Calc was updated on September 13, 2026 and ThrottleCard on July 6, 2026.

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