In the late 1960s and through the 70s, an uncle had a regular 'briefcase & brolly' commute between Bolton and Manchester Victoria.
Although he would grumble about the frequent and sometimes hefty fare increases and ASLEF industrial action at the time, as a general rule his daily journeys sounded fairly dependable, comfortable and easy. Certainly, compared to the disruptions, cancellations, overcrowding and bustitutions you'd likely get doing the same commute today.
IIRC, his inward trip in the morning was on a 6-car 'white stripe' BRCW Class 104 ex-Blackpool. Never seemed to be a problem getting a seat from Bolton, and he had the option of cursory conversation (most likely a moan about the unions or BR) if sitting with some of the 'regulars', or hiding behind a rustling broadsheet newspaper, depending on his mood. At Man Vic, he could nip out of the side gate near Platform 16 to get to his office on Cheetham Hill Rd, rather than navigating the crowds at the main ticket barriers.
I think his most conveniently-timed train home in the evening was bound for Blackburn, so likely a Cravens 105. A bit noisy and rattly, with a few intermediate stops along the way, but he had the company of a friend who worked at Manchester Crown Court and often joined this train at Salford.
All in all, not a bad routine - mostly without any Reggie Perrin-type delays due to "badger on the points at Agecroft Junction", "wrong type of snow" or drunk vomiting in the carriage on Friday evenings. I have thought in the past I wouldn't have minded too much if I had to do something similar back then (from Wigan rather than Bolton).
Between Wigan and Manchester, I had the choice of a couple of fast peak-hour Southport expresses, stopping only at Salford (Central), usually formed of the 'white stripe' units. Or if commuting into Liverpool there were some non-stop trains between Wallgate & Liverpool Exchange, taking about 24 mins (Calder Valley units on the service to Bradford & Leeds).
I haven't chosen either of these for the scenic splendours along the way (Liverpool's derelict northern dockland and the abandoned coal mining areas along the Atherton line were dire in that era). Rather for an apparently dependable and relatively stress-free start and end to the working day.
BTW, speaking of commuting - what was the format of season tickets back in the day?
I have a vague memory of my uncle's being a stout piece of buff-coloured card printed with the relevant stations and expiry day applied in purple ink with a rubber stamp. Is this how they looked?