Why are power poles shorter when they run along side a railroad track?

Answer 1

I think they just sank, because this isn't a uniform fact.

Answer 2

If you are talking about those poles with "hundreds" of wires, they are old telephone wires. Those were relatively low voltage (about 50V), so they were not particularly dangerous. In addition, in the "old days" when they were built, the safety concerns and liability that we have today did not exist. Thus, they were built shorter to reduce cost because they were not perceived as a high-risk.

In contrast, the bare wires you see on modern poles are for electical service, carrying high and dangerous voltages. If there are also telephone wires, they are now bundled in thick, insulated cable, rather than being a separate strand for every phone number.

So newer poles are not directly comparible - the bare wires carry high voltage and must be tall enough that they cannot be easily reached, whereas the old poles lining the railroad tracks were low voltage telephone.

Answer 3

They do not need the clearance for vehicles of height.
In a city block the wires must be kept to a minimum height for trucks and cars to clear.
No traffic flows along the sides of railway tracks, so they actually save money by making them shorter.

Answer 4

I think because they do not have anything to clear like trees or houses. The shorter they can make the poles the cheaper they cost.

Answer 5

depends on the terrain, nothing goes under those poles the main powersupply for the opposite side of the tracks comes from the really high towers you see nearby

Answer 6

probably because they are using the same right-of-way space that the tracks are in, and they need to be shorter so as not to interfere with the track if they were to fall over for any reason.

just a guess.

Answer 7

Because they use up the long poles beside the roads.