Higher-category trains were operated: a rapid train operated before the war until 1965 between Himeji Station and Toba Station (called Sangu-Kaisoku (Rapid train), which was connected to a dining car before the war), its superior train, the express 'Shima,' as well as the express 'Kasuga' connecting Kyoto and Nagoya via the Kusatsu Line and the express 'Nanki' operated from Kyoto to Nanki were all diesel cars that were ultimately abolished in the late Japan National Railways (JNR) era.
戦前から1965年まで続いた姫路～鳥羽間の快速列車（俗に参宮快速などと呼ばれ、戦前は食堂車も連結されていた）と、その格上げ列車の「志摩(列車)」のほか、京都と名古屋を草津線経由で結ぶ「かすが(列車)」、京都から南紀へ向かう「南紀(列車)」などの気動車急行があったが、日本国有鉄道末期にいずれも廃止になり、優等列車は姿を消した。