Telephone/Utility Poles - Model Railroader Magazine

traindaddy1

...Is there a "rule-of-thumb" when it comes to the distance between telephone/utility poles on the layout?...

If there is, I've probably broken it, but I place the poles at a distance which "looks right" to me.   I'm modelling in HO, and the usual distance between my telegraph poles varies from 60' to 80' HO, with the smaller distance more prevalent.  I don't have a great number of utility poles in place yet, but again went with what looked reasonable to me...that seems to be around 100', which, coincidentally, seems to be about the same as what's our street here.

(Photos will enlarge if clicked upon.)

Here's some telegraph poles....

...and a few utility poles...

I chose to not add wires, as many areas would be difficult to reach for such installations, and I didn't want the maintenance chores which would eventually be needed.  My eyes "see" the wires which aren't there, but I'm sure that some viewers might question their absence.

Quite a few years ago, when we were living in rented quarters, I did make a diorama for taking train photos, but it never was finished.  However, the telegraph poles had wire, as did the utility poles...

Translate the HO distances between the poles into O scale, and see if it "looks right" to your eyes, and if not, play around with it until it does.

Wayne