Abstract: A drying section for drying and controlling shrinkage of a moist fiber web in a paper making machine is provided, the web having a predetermined width and opposed transverse ends. Such a drying section comprises a plurality of drying section members configured to receive and forward the web in a machine direction. Each drying section member has opposed ends in a transverse direction. The drying section members further comprise a first drying section member and a second drying section member, with the second drying section member being separated from the first drying section member so as to define an intermediate zone therebetween. The drying section further comprises a primary belt set having a belt member wrapping about each of the opposed ends of each of the drying section members. Each belt member is configured in an endless loop and has a width less than half of the width of the web.