The Sonobe - Ayabe section was constructed by the government, which was in hurry to extend the line to Maizuru, the site of a naval base, in preparation for the Japanese-Russo War.
園部～綾部間は日露戦争を控え、軍都・舞鶴までの建設を急いだ政府が京都鉄道に代わって建設したもの。