Why are the telephone poles along railroad tracks so short?

Question

Why are the telephone poles along railroad tracks so short?

Answer 1

because they are not telephone poles, they are communication poles for the railroads use  :)

Answer 2

These pole are very, very old.  They have sank into the watery ditches on the side of the tracks over time.  One pole every 55 yards is usually the way you'll find them on the old New York Central.

Answer 3

the reason they are so short is if they fall over they wont go on the track and cause an obstruction to the trains

Answer 4

They are only for local calls

Answer 5

Technically they are telegraph poles. The wires that are strung along them carried a low voltage communications signal as well as some higher voltages for power, they do not carry the 7,000 volt power found on the poles on your street. Secondly most railroad tracks are to be walked by trained, authorized  personnel and are usually restricted from the general public. The streets and side walks of your city are not.

Answer 6

They indeed were telegraph lines, at one time, carrying low voltage signals as described above.  They still carry CTC "Code Lines" for electronic instructions to remotely controlled switches and signals.  The newer of these today operate on microwave signals and the code lines are no longer needed.

In addition, there was a railroad telephone communication system in places along the rails, but most frequently found in CTC and Interlocking Limits.

THEY STILL CARRY HIGH VOLTAGE.  The high tension wires are usually strung across the top arm of the post.  They should be labeled "High Voltage".  If not so posted, don't make the mistake of thinking they are not deadly.

Case in point.  Along the UP main between Mt. Hebron, California and Black Butte, California, the top wires are carrying 7,200 Volts. This is a distance of approximately 40 miles.  The poles are short and dangerous.  Not all railroad right of way has joined the 21st century.

But they have another handy purpose.  An engineer running with an inoperative speedometer (it happens a lot more than you think) can also use them, in combination with mile posts, to help gage speed.  There are approximately 32 of them per mile (another hold over from "the good ol' days").

Answer 7

they have osteoporosis

Answer 8

the train is the only thing they need to clear