An expensive general AC/DC electric car wasn't introduced as a local train running between the Kosei and Hokuriku areas in which large demand couldn't be expected, and thus a diesel train was operated as a local train between the electrified section: between Omi-Imazu Station and Tsuruga Station before September 1991 (after that, an AC/DC electric car was operated).
需要の見込めない湖西～北陸のローカル列車には高価な一般用交直流電車は投入されず、近江今津～敦賀間の普通列車は電化区間でありながら1991年9月まで気動車で細々と運転されていた（それ以降は交直流電車で運転された）。