I had traveled on the 18048 from VSG last December. The journey, despite being tiring and the 18048 being 3.5 hours 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 traveling in, barring the erratic water supply in taps between UBL and BZA, was well maintained like the 3AC coaches.

I am definitely sure that the LHBfication of 18047/48 will help a lot in the future with regards to safety and passenger comfort. I have seen many travelers from West Bengal complain 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, travelers hope to have the frequency daily like the Goa Express instead of 4 days a week.

Another thing, would 3 rakes be sufficient to make 18047/48 run daily?

Actually with the introduction of 17321/22 now there are two trains from Eastern India to Goa. For daily conversion, 5 rakes will be required along with a new slot in the HWH BZA route.
Yeah, it definitely needs a pantry car and more AC coaches too considering the long journey it takes.
Ideal LHB CC should be like:
SLR GS H1 A1 A2 B1 to B6 PC S1 to S7 GS GS EOG.

There are actually two pitlines at Vasco. The old one can accommodate a maximum of 20 LHB coaches and has a catwalk on both sides. The second one can fit 22 coach LHB rakes, but it only has a full catwalk on one side, shared with the old pitline. The other side has a catwalk only for a few meters, so only the Vasco Azara LHB parcel rake undergoes PM on that one, and it has a full 22 coach LHB rake.

Vasco pitlines are not located where you say they are, at the station itself.

The one line curving to the right following Mangoor Hill RUB was previously a loop line used for shunting rakes. It has now been removed, and a second track has been laid beside it until the small temple. This will serve as the second line for the Vasco to Dabolim doubling project. Previously, they had to demolish the small temple to double the line, but now they have changed the alignment so that the second line passes beside the temple without demolishing it.

Vasco to Dabolim doubling
click here

Dabolim to Sankval doubling
click here

Videos are as of September 30, 2024.

Kulem to Castle Rock ghat section doubling has been put on hold by the Supreme Court of India.