about , with the staff-locked connection between the siding and the main line also extended. That proved beneficial for trains using the station to move passenger traffic to football games at nearby Kardinia Park, located nearby in Moorabool Street. Up to seven trains could be held in the yard. On 29 September 1959, siding "A", directly opposite the station, was abolished. The run-round loop was re-instated in 1982. Commencing on 4 November 1968, local passenger services from Geelong were extended to South Geelong, and a car park was established on part of the goods yard. Initially, one train each way was provided during morning and afternoon peaks, usually followed by an empty car movement. By 1979, the number of local services to and from South Geelong had increased to eight a day, in both directions. In 1982, siding "A" was re-instated, and extended across the Yarra Street level crossing. The down end crossover was moved about approximately . The Down home signal was also moved. The points from the platform to the goods siding, by then rarely used, and no longer holding empty-car trains, could be Annett locked. The automatic staff exchanger was also removed during 1982. The former Queenscliff branch, which closed in 1976, was then effectively siding "B". The controls for the Down and Up home signals were removed, and distant signal "Post 7", in siding "B", was reduced to a single distant arm. In October 1983, the original timber station building was demolished, and replaced by the present station building, which opened on 30 September 1984. Two years later, in February 1986, boom barriers replaced the hand-operated gates at the Yarra Street level crossing. Further signalling alterations occurred in 1989 and 1992. Today, South Geelong is staffed from first train to last, and is served by a majority of commuter Geelong trains. The former railway branch line to Queenscliff is now occupied by the Bellarine Rail Trail as far as Drysdale, and the Bellarine Peninsula Railway between Drysdale and Queenscliff. The former Geelong Racecourse station was located between South Geelong and Marshall stations. The last service to use the station was for the 2005 Geelong Cup. In February 2011, the loop siding serving the former platform was disconnected from the main line, as part of a sleeper renewal program. On 1 March of that year, the loop siding was abolished, effectively closing the station. As part of