A method of exchanging messages between a railroad communications system radio operating in accordance with a host-radio exchange protocol and a railroad messaging system. A communications manager of the railroad messaging system, operating in accordance with the host-radio exchange protocol, transmits a request to the radio requesting registration as a host of the radio. The communications manager is selectively registered with the radio as a primary host. The radio sends a message to the primary host identifying an available wireless link between the radio and another radio of the railroad communications system. Data messages, which include data being exchanged between the primary host and the primary host of the another radio across the wireless link, are exchanged between the radio and the primary host in accordance with the host-radio exchange protocol.