Though only moderately damaging, railway spikes are very effective at dealing limb damage (due to a 3x limb damage multiplier), able to cripple limbs often with just one shot. On the killing shot, a spike may tear off the struck limb or head, and possibly pin it to a fixed object, for example wall or the floor.
Railway spikes can be found all throughout the Capital Wasteland in ammunition boxes, metal boxes and on shelves.
A good place to pick up some spikes early in the game is in Lucky's Shop southwest of Tenpenny Tower. They can be found on the shelves along with many of the parts to make the other custom weapons, but note that taking them is considered stealing. They can be acquired from vendors on occasion but they are rarely restocked.
Spikes can often be found near train yards, metros, and railroad tracks.
