Atop this pole line on two-pin crossarms was a higher-voltage circuit for operating railroad crossing lights, switching equipment, communications gear, etc. These lines operated at either 480 or 2400 volts. Step down transformers were used for 120 or 240V that powered the forementioned.

Poles in this instance were owned by the railroad (for power and their communications/code circuits) and the Western Union lines were on the other side of the tracks along this route. These poles look pretty new. Note one of the old ones laying on the ground on the left. Photo taken looking down at a bridge overpass. Nothing too fancy was ever found laying around after some of these lines were taken down.

Canton is a community about 10 miles south of Boston.