Turn down the volume to how I have it posted above and let me know.
Papajoewill
I configured my Big Boy as you requested and you are correct.
When the lower sound bar (I believe it's called the background sounds) above the master volume is at the 2nd to lowest setting it is a static noise. However the static noise is always there at higher settings but you just don't hear it as much if at all.
To me it actually seems designed that way to give it a authentic older speaker background interference type static noise. I'm not sure how to discribe what I'm saying but I do feel Lionel was correct in telling you it was designed this way.
After playing through all the background sound levels and master volume as well I feel it is really just a type of sound meant to be part of the overall sounds.
However, it does seem weird at the 2nd to lowest setting as in your picture because the background sounds don't start over the static noise until the 3rd to lowest setting. As the volume of the background sounds are raised the static is still there just not as noticeable.
I hope this made a little sense because I feel like I'm not explaining it very well but I hope my experiment helped you out. I really feel like there is nothing wrong with our locomotives.
Brad