Making a track punch

[Tony Smith]

Aust (and NZ) Local Pattern track is different to UK and CDN track in that the track pins fit into a blind hole (not exactly, there is a small hole at the hull end of the pin bore, but it is much smaller than the pin dia.) and are retained by a lead plug on the outer end of the pin. The pins are plain rods with no heads or drillings for split pins. The lead plug is the same dia as at track pin, but is retained by deforming the lead into a groove in the bore.

To remove the pin, you punch the end of the pin through the small hole. You must provide enough force to both dislodge the weathered pin, and also to shear the rib of lead that has flowed into the groove.

While I still think this short pin would be ideal to use for compressing the lead plug, I also agree that it is probably a better tool to use for the force required to achieve the initial movement in removing a tight pin and plug than the long punch.

So to clarify that we're on the right track (pardon the pun), are both the short and long punches small enough to fit in the small hole at the end of the pin bore, or are they the same dia as a track pin?