Lol Mike, that is perfect, i have to get it. Tony,  you'd probably cringe at the authenticity of my current car menagerie.  Its pretty much based on pretty color combinations.  I am learning every day though about what goes with what  .  As for an update, I got the 2-6-0 today and it is running round and round like a little charm.  It only pulls 4 cars with my sharp curves and steep climb, but I am happy as can be for my first project.  Huge thanks to everyone for all your guidance.  Now its on to the scenery. 

Ok, I will stick with 40 ft or less and whatever is pretty, lol.  I would love some pink cars but I think that is a daunting find. My new engine gets here tomorrow and I will let you know how it runs.   The kit building has been a lot of fun.  I am turning it in to a winter village scene and it has been very enjoyable doing all the research and watching videos.  If I can get my train to run without excessive trouble, I will be hooked on this hobby for life.

Mike, Thanks!  I have the Atlas track pack that was suggested for my layout.

I ordered the Alco 2-6-0 and it should be here Thursday.  *excited*.  I have decided to return the Bachmann set as I have laid and secured the entire track and the engine absolutley hates it.  Either the engine derails or the tender derails all the time on the curves.  Also, the front set of wheels hate going through the turnouts, they seem to bounce around a lot.    I am sure it has a lot to do with my track laying skills but I am hoping the 2-6-0 is more forgiving.  I have checked all the connections and all of the tracks are in the connectors properly.  I do have a question on rolling stock as I will be ordering some now.  How many cars would you guys suggest and does it make a difference what brand?  And is there a length on rolling stock that I should stay under? I am thinking that is a yes but I want to be sure.   

Thanks again everyone for your help.  I checked out the spookshow link and both the Alco and Spectrums are A rated so it looks like I'll be deciding which one is prettier.    I am going to keep my set with the 4-8-4 as I priced out rolling stock separately and what I paid for the kit is about the same to buy all those cars so I am just going to use them with my new engine.  I am also going to upgrade my power pack as suggested.  I figured this wasn't as easy as throwing a track together and slapping any old train on it.  Learning and overcoming the challenges is making this more fun than I thought.  It is also a little more expensive than I thought but what the heck, you only live once.   

Thanks Mike.  I searched the Bachmann site for spectrum but the only 2-6-0 that I am finding is Alco. I found one of those that I like, the 2-6-0, UP, product number 51755. The only Spectrums I saw were 4-8-2 and they suggested a min radius of 19 and I am not even close to that.  So many choices. 

Wow, you guys are so helpful.  I have learned more in one day than I could imagine.  And you are right the RR history is very interesting.  I live in Cheyenne, WY so we have a lot of UP history here.  We have a spectacular Big Boy in a park here and I grew up admiring it's vastness.  I guess that is why I am drawn to steam.  Anyway, here is my quandry.  I got a great deal on my set from Amazon.  It was listed as "used-like new" and was sealed when it arrived so I am pretty sure it is brand new.  I got it for 114 and it retails for 250.  Should I return it and buy all separate cars to go with a different engine.  It seems I would spend 114 pretty easy just on rolling stock.  Maybe I should keep the kit for the cars and park the 4-8-4 on the side track, and maybe once in a while, run it by itself.  Another stupid question, when you buy a single engine, does it come with a transformer or do you need to buy a separate one.  Thanks for all your help!
ETA:I just watched a Youtube video of the scenic ridge layout and he was running a diesel engine that was pulling a lot of stock and it didn't miss a beat.  *jealous*  I am not 100% sure it was a diesel but he mentioned adding diesel smoke effects to the tunnels.  It looks as long as my steam engine but it sure was smooth.  It would even go over the switch and on to the side track.  My engine won't even contemplate that, stalls or derails everytime.  If I need to give up the steam dream and go with something different altogether, please be blunt.   

Thanks James, that really helps.  Once I got the train and did some more reading in this forum I kind of figured that the engine might be too long for the turns, which is too bad as I really like the set and all the cars that came with it.  Plus, I got a great deal on it.    What configuration of locomotive would you suggest for my layout? I am looking for a steam engine.  I am still trying to decipher the 3 number sequence and how that relates to length, speed, pulling power and less derailment propensity (if there is such a thing).  I'm assuming that last wish has more to do with radii and a properly dressed and laid track.  My set up does have two grades on it, one up and one down.  I used the risers and inclines that came with the kit so I assume they are calculated correctly.    Thanks again, Jeri

I searched the forums to see if there was an answer to my question but I need to some specifics as I am brand new to this, plus I'm a woman, so I need technical things spelled out, after that I am pretty handy. I bought a beginner's kit, the Woodland Scenics Scenic Ridge and it is a 3x6 layout.  They suggested an Atlas track pack that a beginner could assemble.  My train set is the Bachmann Empire Builder Santa Fe set and the engine is a Northern 4/8/4 steam locomotive.  I have laid the track inside my tunnel areas and run the locomotive (without tender) back and forth to make sure there are no problems before I build the tunnels.  The train will bog down somewhat at a few junctures of the track.  When I run my fingers along the tops of the tracks, I can feel the slightest snags.  I have checked to make sure the tracks are inside the rail connectors and they are.  These are very miniscule deviations but the little train feels them regardless.  It does not derail but I fear it will not pull a load at all or maybe derail or stall altogether once a load is attached.  Is there any thing that can be done about these snags and/or should I run more power to the other parts of the track.  I currently have just the one power attachment that came with the track pack.  Thank you for your help as I really want to enjoy my new hobby.  
ETA: here are the track contents so you can see the radii involved.  (32) 5" Straights, (7) 2-1/2" Straights, (12) 1-1/4" Straights, (4) 5/8" Straights, (14) 9-3/4" Radius, (2) Half 9-3/4" Radius, (11) 11" Radius, (3) Half 11" Radius, (5) 19" Radius, (1) Bumper, (3) Manual Standard Left Switches, (1) Warren Truss Bridge, (1) Terminal Joiner.  Don't know if that makes a difference for this particular engine but I know radius is a key factor by reading other posts.