Comparison

Lionel iCab vs Trainventory

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

Head to head
About

Lionel iCab

Control Lionel TMCC and LEGACY engines, accessories, and trains from your iPhone or iPod Touch. Features include extended locomotive control, speed graphs, and accessory management.

Highlights
  • Control TMCC and LEGACY engines
  • Accessory and train operation
  • Extended Legacy locomotive controls
  • Speed graph with target/actual speed
  • Quilling Whistle feature
  • Train Builder for unified operation
Features
Read full description

Use your Apple iPhone or iPod Touch device to operate Lionel TMCC and LEGACY engines, accessories and trains. iCab includes the most popular features from Lionel's flagship hardware-based LEGACY CAB2 remote including the Train Builder and Quilling Whistle. NOTE: Additional hardware is required to use iCab. iCab includes the operating features of the basic Lionel cab remote plus: - Extended Legacy locomotive control screens - Speed Graph with target and actual speed - Six preset official railroad speeds - Quilling Whistle - Accessory control screen - Special screen for Legacy StationSounds Diner car control - Automatically loads Engine Roster (LEGACY Command Base required) - Train Builder combines multiple locomotives, rolling stock and accessories for unified operation Also available is the Lionel LCS app for iPad. Use this companion app for easy control of layout switches and accessories. iCab app requirements: Lionel LCS WiFi (6-81325) to connect to your layout (up to 15 users can share a single LCS WiFi module). The iCab App works with the Lionel command base model Base-1L; a Legacy command base (v1.52 required) adds additional features. All available from Lionel LLC.

About

Trainventory

Organize, track the value of, and create wishlists for your model train collection. Get reminders for new releases and manage your hobby efficiently.

Highlights
  • Organize train collection
  • Track costs and value
  • Create wishlists
  • Wishlist reminders
  • User-friendly design
Read full description

Trainventory: Organize, Track, and Dream Big with Your Model Train Collection Whether you're a lifelong model train enthusiast or just starting your collection, Trainventory is the essential app to keep everything on track. Effortlessly organize your trains, track their value, and build your dream wishlist – all in one place. Key Features: - Organize Your Collection: Easily catalog your locomotives, carriages, and accessories with detailed entries for model type, brand, and condition. - Track Costs and Value: Keep an eye on how much you’ve invested and monitor the value of your collection over time. - Create Your Wishlist: Never forget that must-have model again – build a wishlist of trains you’re dreaming of adding to your collection. - Get Reminded: Never miss out on a presale or release date with wish list reminders Why Trainventory? • User-friendly design built specifically for model train enthusiasts. • Keep your collection organized anytime, anywhere. • Perfect for collectors of all experience levels. All aboard for the most efficient way to manage your model train hobby. Download Trainventory today and let your collection shine! Start tracking, start organizing, and keep your model train passion on the right track with Trainventory.

Screenshots

Lionel iCab4 screens
Trainventory4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Trainventory at 100% against Lionel iCab's 30%. Trainventory also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.3). Lionel iCab's advantage is iOS requirement (7.0 vs 18.6). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Trainventory holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 19 and 27 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 30% of Lionel iCab's written reviews are positive against 100% of Trainventory's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lionel iCab ships an update every 4 months, Trainventory every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Lionel iCab versus Trainventory: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLionel iCabTrainventory
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (19 ratings)4.6 (27 ratings) — better
Positive reviews30.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1927 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS7.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLionel, LLCNicholas Eby

Customer experience

Lionel iCab

All ratings18 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral16.7%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive30.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative50.0%

Trainventory

All ratings22 ratings
Positive95.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative4.5%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Lionel iCab

No in-app purchases

None

Trainventory

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Lionel iCab free?
Lionel iCab is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Trainventory free?
Trainventory is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Lionel iCab or Trainventory?
Trainventory is rated higher. Lionel iCab averages 3.3 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while Trainventory averages 4.6 from 27 ratings.
Do Lionel iCab or Trainventory have ads?
Neither Lionel iCab nor Trainventory shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Lionel iCab or Trainventory?
Lionel iCab ships an update every 4 months, and Trainventory every 3 months. Most recently, Lionel iCab was updated on October 24, 2026 and Trainventory on October 27, 2026.

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