Hi Rich, the flag stanchions are riveted to the frame, I used heat shrink to to mask the stanchions with a piece of tape on the top of the heat shrink tube to block the paint spray.
I then used a brush with clear paint to coat the stations as I had problems years ago with the clear attacking the black paint.
I used Rustoleum spay cans (orange, blue and clear )and it is close enough for the Lionel color.
Since the wheel are solid and not spoked I will do it assembled. Originally I did the wheels in red when it they were off, just have to do one side at a time and let dry.
Not sure what I will pull with it I have a bunch of old freight cars and cabooses that may get a similar paint job as they are really beat up.
