This mail crane kit comes in three parts that are, I believe, die cast metal. I have found kits made of metal don't hold acrylic paint very well. It rubs off easily requiring several touch ups. Assembly couldn't be easier, however. The mail bag slides over the crane hook and the ladder has a bracket to glue to. The only hitch is that the pole is longer than the ladder requiring a hole to be drilled into your station platform. Not a big deal but better done before passenger figures are set in place and being careful to not drill too deeply for the ladder to rest on the platform.