Thanks folks,
Yep, the Engine has no sounds, with the audio coming from the caboose. Will the caboose sounds function from the Lionel controllers?
Good to know about the quality of the MTH RTR locos. I haven't had a chance to run mine yet, but compared to The Scout" loco, the MTH seems more substantial. Not a huge fan of the Spongebob paint scheme. Maybe a repaint is in it's future...