Abstract: A drying section of a paper machine includes a plurality of individual drying groups, wherein the drying cylinders of a drying group are served by 2 respective dryer wire or felt that passes over drying cylinders of the drying group and presses a web to be dried against the surface of the drying cylinders. The invention is adapted for either single tier or double tier drying groups. At least one press roll is disposed between and separates two of the drying groups. In one embodiment, the at least one press roll forms a nip with the adjacent drying cylinder, either upstream or downstream, to define a dewatering nip through which the web passes. A dewatering belt passes over the press roll in the nip. The wire for a respective drying group is guided away from the dewatering nip so that only the web and the dewatering belt pass through the press nip. In alternate embodiments, two press rolls may be disposed between the adjacent drying groups, and the two press rolls define a press nip between them.