8-year-old train fan and cancer patient takes Blue Line train for a spin

Metro Transit broke in its newest train operator on Monday. He did pretty well, considering that he's barely had the training wheels taken off his bicycle.

Eight-year-old Karlis Barobs, a self-declared "trainiac," got the red-carpet treatment at the Blue Line maintenance and operations center in Minneapolis, with a tour of the facility and a chance to pilot a train around the empty rail yard under the watchful eye of veteran transit trainer Dan Syverson.

"He's got a nice, steady hand [at the controls]," Syverson declared. "I like that."

Karlis, who lives in Hopkins, recently offered to donate $75 toward the Southwest light-rail project from money his classmates raised when they learned he has cancer. In response, transit officials planned a special day for him.

They gave him a couple of plaques, a bag of train-related swag, a special operator's license and his own set of keys to the train. After his spin around the yard, Karlis went for a quick trip up the line with Syverson at the controls.

Karlis didn't know ahead of time that he'd be sitting in the driver's seat, but he operated the horn and handled the station announcements with gusto.

"I was like, 'What?' " he exclaimed.

Transit officials pointed out that when President Obama visited the Twin Cities two years ago, he sat in the driver's seat of a train but didn't get to drive.

Metropolitan Council Chairman Adam Duininck called the boy "inspiring," while Hopkins Mayor Molly Cummings lauded his "generosity and thoughtfulness that teaches so many lessons to people." She invited him to cut the ribbon at the downtown Hopkins train station when — and if — the Southwest light-rail system is completed.

Later this week, Karlis will undergo his final round of chemotherapy for Burkitt's lymphoma. So far, all signs point to recovery. Officials may want to watch out that he doesn't use those keys for a midnight joy ride.

John Reinan • 612-673-7402