# using text()

# one big INSERT

q = "INSERT IGNORE INTO network_tbl (nid, name) VALUES "
binds = {}
q += ', '.join(["(:nid_%d, %network_%d)" % (i, i) for i, nid in enumerate(networks)])
for i, nid in enumerate(networks):
    binds['nid_%d' % i] = nid
    binds['network_%d' % i] = networks[nid]['n']

engine.execute(text(q), binds)

# executemany style:

q = "INSERT IGNORE INTO network_tbl (nid, name) VALUES (:nid, :network)"
binds = [{'nid':nid, 'network':networks[nid]['n']} for nid in networks]
engine.execute(text(q), binds)