David;
While I have no personal experience with the Bachmann starter kit (I presume you mean the one that comes with the E-Z Command unit and one DCC decoder equipped locomotive), I think you will find that most people here would recommend that you look into either the Digitrax Zephyr or the NCE PowerCab... the PowerCab being the easier of the two to operate. Although you will have to buy your first DCC locomotive separately, I think you will find the power and expansion capabilities of either of these two units will server you better as your layout grows.
Best!
They are very simple to set up. It should come with a CD that explains how to set everything up and program your locos.
I like mine...