I had travelled in 18048 from VSG last December. The journey, despite being tiring and 18048 being 3.5 hrs late due to unprecedented halts at Guntakal outer, Ponduru and Manguli Chowduar, was worth seeing different scenes of India. The 2AC coach which I was travelling in, barring the erratic water supply in taps between UBL and BZA, was maintained well like the 3AC coaches.
Definitely sure that LHBfication of 18047/48 will help a lot in future with regards to safety and passenger comfort. I have seen many travellers from West Bengal complain...
more... about the time taken, old ICF rakes, no pantry car service and multiple others (Please see Youtube videos for further details) . Since it is the only train from Eastern India going to VSG, the travellers hope of having the frequency daily like Goa Express instead of 4 days a week.
Another thing, would 3 rakes be sufficient to make 18047/48 run daily ?