Abstract: A web of tissue is formed in a crescent former, followed by an air press for water removal in the pressing section, passing onto a Yankee dryer. A headbox injects stock between upper and lower dryer fabrics brought together on a breast roll. The fabrics move over vacuum boxes, and the web is heated with steam and passed between an upper pressure box and a lower vacuum box forming an air press which dewaters the web. A sheet transfer pickup vacuum box holds the sheet to the upper fabric as the lower fabric diverges from the upper fabric. A pressure roller transfers the web onto a Yankee dryer. The fabrics are cleaned on vertical runs before returning to the breast roll. A second upper fabric or transfer fabric operating at a lower speed then the first can be used to form a rush transfer between the forming fabrics and the Yankee dryer which increases web bulk and absorbency. Instead of a second fabric, a vacuum pressure roll may perform the rush transfer between the lower forming fabric and the Yankee dryer.