Tiptoptaff your, my length is longer than your length point is irrelevant here sir, as it was a different kettle of fish when you started on the railway so, no comparison. Was it an extremely popular career choice back then, with thousands of applicants for each trainee passenger job and did you have to take the psychometric test? No, so you’ve missed my point. All I’m trying to do is help the original poster, as I and others I know, have been in similar positions. So on this matter, my experience of the situation, is probably more relevant than yours! Also when I was on OTMs I’ve seen passenger drivers panic, when having to pass signals at danger due to signal failure or being routed differently, because all they’ve done is run to green signals 95% of the time, so experience can count for nothing in some aspects.Enjoy your retirement sir, sounds like you’ve deserved it!
And plus I was only trying to give the original poster some advice on different options and not being blinkered and going for the only option available. I know though, if I had equal two candidates and one had been proactive in paying for the test, then it’s a no brainer who to choose! And it’s no cost to the company. Although some do refund you if paid for it yourself and you start employment with them! You can also ask the centre who tests your to let you know your pass grades if passed. So you can know who to apply to, if you have the enhanced pass and who to not. Remember you only have two passes available. Fail twice and you cannot resit the psychometric again, even with different TOCS!
Simon your age is fine, as long as you pass the application requirements ie first sieve, psychometric, interview and medical. I started in my late thirties and had people in the forties starting as trainees after me.
Hope this helps. Good luck with the applications.