FP5-DACtiVate project brings together 21 European partners from end-users, large industry, railway undertakings – operators and wagon keepers, unions, SMEs, and research, thus, covering the entire value chain. The FP5-DACtiVate project is set to advance the full digitalization of freight train operations in Europe, building on prior initiatives such as S2R's IP5, the EDDP, and EURail’s FP5-TRANS4M-R. The project aims to enable the pre-deployment of pilot trains with Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) by executing required additional tests to the complementary project FP5-TRANS4M-R, thus establishing confidence before full implementation, while enabling DAC-authorization processes. The project aims to test the interchangeability of DAC components,expand the number of Wagon Onboard Units in line with FP5-TRANS4M-R's system architecture, and enable thorough validation of the pre-deployment trains by additional locomotives able to integrate hybrid couplers. Collaboration with FP5-TRANS4M-R is vital to align with its functional specifications and technical architecture, ensuring the project's contribution is significant and supports the related DAC authorization process.