Five major companies have been shortlisted to bid for the ScotRail franchise which is due to be renewed in April 2015.
Transport Minister Keith Brown said Abellio, Arriva, FirstGroup, MTR and National Express had passed the pre-qualification stage of the process.
Aberdeen-based First ScotRail, which has run the existing £2.5billion franchise since 2008, provides passenger train services across the country.
The firm operates more than 2,000 train services a day, carrying 83million passengers a year, 30% more than in 2004.
The franchise employs a total of 4,300 staff.
Abellio, whose parent company is in the Netherlands, runs rail businesses in England, Germany and the Czech Republic.
Arriva is one of the biggest transport companies in Europe and operates in 15 countries while MTR is understood to be biggest train firm in Hong Kong.
National Express operates transport services in the UK, North America, Spain, Morocco and Germany.
Mr Brown said the five shortlisted companies had demonstrated, in their responses to the pre-qualification questionnaire, “an understanding of, and a commitment to realise, our ambitions for a transformed rail service”.
“I am convinced that this strong competition will deliver a great public rail service for the people of Scotland,” he added.
A draft invitation to tender will be published on November 19.
The details were released in a parliamentary question to Highland SNP MSP Mike Mackenzie.
Vernon Barker, managing director of FirstGroup’s UK rail division, said the firm was delighted to have been shortlisted.
“As a Scottish company, we are proud to run the railway and proud of our success in growing the business,” he added.
“The railway is integral to Scotland’s growing and ambitious economy and we look forward to submitting a compelling, competitive and value for money bid which meets the needs of customers, businesses and taxpayers.”