I am particularly interested in this thread, because I pre-ordered a Berk through my LHS an anticipated a call this afternoon telling me I can pick it up.
I don't know what I am going to do, stand on principle and refuse it or go ahead and take a loco I really want (I do not have even one scale Berk). I am paying full list at my LHS, and it was advertised with whistle steam effect - and yes, its not a critical feature, but Lionel set the bar of expectations at the $1,100 price point with its previous locos so I really expect them to adhere to their promise, and frankly this will probably stand out as partially obsolete since its likely to become a fairly standard feature in the future.