Travelled in 02088 from KUR to HWH on 14.02.21. Regards 02088, it is a major improvement on 12822.
Cleanliness: Average as it's become a train full of tourists returning from PURI, not getting tickets in 02838. The toilets dont stick but could smell better. The facade of the brand new LHB rake has been stained by betel nut in some places. Water taps are functional.
Punctuality: This is an area where there has been a makred improvement on 12822. This train maintains time, reaching on or before time till KGP. In the KGP-SRC...
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section it gets a little late(5 mins at KGP), and is slightly late or on time at HWH.
Food: No improvement or has rather deteriorated with less options, as local vendors are not allowed.
Ticket Availability: In 2S, there are lots of tickets available, while CC its a little difficult(book atleast 14 days in advance).
Railfanning: Not bad, with xings with Neelanchal, Falaknuma, YRP Duronto, BBS Rajdhani, Dhauli, BBS Janshatabdi and TATA Steel Express. Also the crossings over Mahanadi, Brahmani, Baitarani, and Suvarnarekha are scenic.
Safety: Passengers will board and deboard at every station. Transgenders are a nuisance.
Overall, had expected much better from an LHBfied 02088. The LHB rake is like a revamped conventional ICF rake with 3x3 face-to-face seating (unlike TATA Steel or Ispat Express, which has reclined seats, with tray-tables and row seats) which was a disappointment. The travel time has not changed much(surprisingly increased even with Markona being dropped as a stoppage). Could be decreased in the BBS-CTC sector, JJKR-BHC sector and BLDA-KGP sector. Missed the office travellers(probably due to in inconvenient timings).