According to the Federal Railroad Administration, a 12-year Metra train engineer named Brian Voss allowed an 18-year-old civilian train enthusiast into his train’s cab and let him drive it. Voss and two other Metra employees (the two being only accused of the former offense) are suspended without pay pending a federal investigation.

The teenager, who has chosen to remain anonymous, is an aspiring engineer and he has been passionate about trains since he was a small boy. As a child he would often visit local train depots to record videos and snap pictures. He says that back in high school he spent 10 to 20 hours each week in the train stations and wave to the engineers as they passed.

This is how he befriended Voss, who eventually grew to trust him enough to let him operate trains carrying passengers. The engineer’s decision may cost him his career, depending on the outcome of the investigation.

The teenager is unlikely to face criminal charges. He was 17 at the time the alleged incidents occurred. Nevertheless he has told the press that he regretted the incidents and did not want to see Voss punished for encouraging his dream.

"It showed me the life," he said. "If you want this lifestyle, then you have to know what you're going to be dealing with."

The incidents came to light after somebody reported that he had found the teen’s MySpace page, where he had posted photos of his trips in the cab of the trains. The photos, however, do not show him actually driving the train.

Voss and the two other engineers, if it is found that they did let the teen inside the cab, could face severe disciplinary action. Meanwhile all three have been suspended without pay by Metra. A hearing in the case is scheduled for November.

Although Metra officials say that the teenager is unlikely to face criminal charges, he considers he has been already punished, because he most likely won’t be able to fulfill his dream to become a Metra engineer.

"I've wanted to work for the railroad as long as I can remember," he says.

The prospect does not sound so far-fetched considering that the accusations have already made him an outcast of sorts in rail enthusiast circles. The one time he’s been to the local train station after the rail service suspended his engineer friend, he’s received the cold shoulder from both Metra personnel and other fans, he says.

Metra say that the incident is very serious and the measures are not at all uncalled for. Train engineers must devote their full attention to driving the train and have no sort of distraction. Trainee engineers also spend 40 weeks learning the ropes before they’re even allowed to be in the cab and work with an experienced engineer.

When asked if commuters have to worry about getting on the train and having a joyriding teenager for a driver, Metra spokeswoman Judy Pardonnet said that "if the allegations are true, our top management has contacted the union to put them on notice that proactive measures should be taken so this never happens again."

The teenager involved, however, claims that this is no freak occurrence, and that "I wasn't the first, I wasn't the only and I won't be the last" to take joy rides on these trains.