This one is for UR passengers only;
This train is one of the most popular trains among the daily passengers of Bhubaneswar, especially those working in Govt. offices of the city and residing in smaller towns like Dhenkanal and Angul. Due to this fact, one can find heavy rush on this train. (especially on 18304 going towards SBP). However this train departs from Puri with very less no. of passengers and seats remain available till BBS. However, once at BBS, the rush begins and getting a seat on this train becomes something like winning a fight. In order to get a seat, one has to throw a piece of cloth on any random seat through the window, rather than trying to board...
more... it along with the mad public creating a mess around the door, the minute it arrives. After managing to put any piece of cloth on the any seat/berth, no one takes it away and you can occupy it with ease after the rush at the doors is over. It must be noted that the train arrives mostly on PF#3 at BBS and sometimes on PF#2.(18304). This train reaches and departs from BBS sharply on time almost always. However, it is mostly given a red signal at Barang and halts there, otherwise crawls through it. It accumulates some 10-15 mins delay within BRAG. After BRAG, it travels at a speed of 95-105 kmph till Radhakishorepur, where it is slowed down due to PSRs and sometimes it is held there for 5-6 minutes. if not at Radhakishorepur, then it is also held at Raj Athagarh jn, many times and accumulates a delay of some 25-30 mins delay. After Raj Athagarh, it travels fast at mps and covers some 5 mins delay and reaches Dhenkanal(DNKL) with a delay of around 20-25 mins(about 18:30). At DNKL, many daily passengers get down. However, the delay accumulated within DNKL stays as it is due to lack of slack in the tt. Many people get down at ANGL too, and then on, the train becomes very much empty. It reaches SBP with an approximate delay of 1 hour. However, on sundays and other holidays, the train would be quite empty.
RailFanning:
18304 faces OT from 12892 BBS-BGY SF Express sometimes at BRAG.
The route it takes is also quite scenic.
On 18303, a window side seat from SBP to BBS is great for railfanning. Lush green fields and forests would there. However, due to the fall of darkness, these all can't be viewed from 18304.