I have a Mr Muffin E9 UP set, which fortunately has no control issues. I noticed the wheel squeal (which is what I assume it is) right away as something different from earlier Legacy diesels and just thought it was a new sound feature. On mine it is only obvious at slow speeds and frankly I am not bothered by it. I haven't measured the intervals but they are not as frequent as in the ES44 video posted above. When the engines are running at speed I can't hear it at all; they sound like typical E series locos, whether E7, 8 or 9, highballing along.
It would have been better if Lionel had announced or explained this change as it is otherwise unexpected, maybe even unwanted. And there doesn't seem to be a way to turn it off.
The absence of Rule 17 lighting I had not noticed, but these E9s come with ditch lights and I was more concerned to ensure that they work correctly (they do). If Rule 17 lighting has been omitted in these models I'd guess that Lionel had some reason for it but I have not checked whether it is prototypical for the headlight to be at full illumination when these engines are stopped. The cab light on mine comes on and off as you'd expect. Taken together the lighting features are good enough for me not to be concerned about Rule 17 control. But like the new sounds it is a little puzzling.
My set is also a very smooth runner with great speed and smoke output control. I am certainly satisfied with it.
