Rapid trains that operated on diesel before the tracks became electrified were first established to stop only at Koriyama Station between Oji and Nara, and they passed through Horyuji Station and Yamato-Koizumi.
なお、電化前の気動車運転による快速は、設定当初王寺-奈良間の停車駅は郡山駅のみで、法隆寺駅・大和小泉を通過していた。