More than 1300 people took advantage of the train trips to Waitati and Mosgiel, Taieri Gorge Railway chief executive Murray Bond said.
"We do this twice a year; during the July and September school holidays," he said.
Three return trips to Waitati and two to Mosgiel were made during the day.
"The Waitati trips have been very popular and we had a really good response to those. We're looking at possibly running more trips to Waitati in the evening. It's such a spectacular coastline," Mr Bond said.
The service provided the perfect excuse for a Sunday trip to Mosgiel for Nick, Catherine, Braden and Mia Pope, from Rolleston.
"It was a great way to spend the day," Mr Pope said.
It was the first train trip for Mia (2) and only the second for her brother, Braden (4).
"It was good fun. The best bit was sitting in the front carriage, behind the train driver, and going through the tunnels," Braden said.
