If this is track being relaid, the 'simplest' solution is to use something like a drill press that lets you 'plunge' the very fine drill bits vertically. Fixtures are made for Dremel tools; you can make a simple one for even cheap battery drills.
It would not be difficult to make something that would fit over rails to make it easier to align if you wanted to drill track 'in place'.
I'm of the opinion that "gluing the track down" aligning with temporary pins, per the best practices we have discussed in previous threads here, is a far better solution than any track nails left in place.
What brand of track are you using? Atlas HO track, and apparently Atlas N scale track, too, has partially formed holes in the underside of the ties. You can use the track nails (or something else that's suitably-sized) to simply push through from the under-side - no drilling needed.
Wayne
Dave KDrilling small holes into the plastic rail ties is difficult. Can anyone recommend a method to do this?
Are you talking real spikes, or generally holes in the center of ties for some sort of pin to attach the rail. If the latter have you considered using adhesive rather than that? I use a product called matte medium to glue the track to roadbed.
In this thread:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/p/144989/1610903.aspx
Scott writes:
"I model N scale and I use Micro Engineering small spikes. The other nails, IMO, are too large. I shave off the molded spike on a tie, drill a .072 hole, then push the spike down with a special pliers made for driving spikes. The spikes are barely visible."
Simon
Drilling small holes into the plastic rail ties is difficult. Can anyone recommend a method to do this?
Thanks,
DMK